CentralElectricityRegulatoryCommission NewDelhi GRIDSECURITY NEEDFORTIGHTENINGOFFREQUENCYBAND &OTHERMEASURES CERCSTAFFPAPER March2011

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GRIDSECURITYNEEDFORTIGHTENINGOFFREQUENCYBAND &OTHERMEASURES CERCSTAFFPAPER

1. Introduction Power frequency reflects the load generation balance in the grid at a particular instant. Frequency is oneofthemostimportantparametersforassessmentofthesecurityofpowersystemandthequality ofpowersupplyinanygrid.Itistobemaintainedwithinthespecifiedrangeinwhichalltheelectrical equipments are designed to perform safely and efficiently. Handling imbalances is an integral part of market design. In India, the balancing market is frequency dependent and market design must complementreliability.Thisdiscussionpaperfocusesongridfrequencyandotherissuesrelatedtogrid securityinIndia. 2. PowerSupplyScenarioinIndia Indiaisoneofthelargestsynchronousinterconnectionsintheworld.Theinstalledgenerationcapacity ason31stJan2011is170.23GW.Therevisedtargetforgenerationcapacityadditionin11thfiveyear plan is 62 GW. The projected peak shortage and energy shortage in March 2012 is 6.5% and 2% respectively.

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Table1:AnticipatedPowerSupplyScenarioin2012 Period Peak Demand (MW) 152746 Energy Requirement (MU) 968659 Peak Availability (MW) 142765 Deficit()/ Surplus(+) (MW) 9981 Deficit()/ Surplus(+) (%) 6.5

201112

201112

Deficit()/ Deficit()/ Energy Surplus(+) Surplus(+) Availability (%) (MU) (MU) 948836 19823 2% Demandasper17thElectricPowerSurvey Source:PowerScenarioataGlance,January2011,CEA

3. StandardsforPowerFrequencyinIndia AspertheIndianElectricityRules1956(amendedupto25thNov2000),thepermissiblerangeforgrid frequency was +/ 3 % of nominal i.e. 48.5 Hz to 51.5 Hz. The permissible frequency ranges (by manufacturers) for operation of various makes of steam turbine are shown in Figure 1. The nominal frequencyofoperationinIndiangridis50.0HzandthepermissiblefrequencybandspecifiedbyIndian ElectricityGridCode(IEGC)is49.5Hzto50.2Hzw.e.f3rdMay2010.

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Table2:Permissiblerangeofoperatingfrequencyforsteamturbines

4. InitiativestakenbyCERCforimprovingthefrequencyprofileinthegrid Salepurchase of electric energy in India is at the rates agreed in the respective contracts. These contractsarescheduledinthegridbytheappropriateloaddespatchcentresaspertherequestsofthe sellers/buyers. However during actual operation the quantum of injection into the grid by the seller and/or the offtake from the grid by the buyers may deviate from agreed schedule. The quantum of deviation from schedule is known as Unscheduled Interchange (UI) that is settled at the predefined UnscheduledInterchangerate(UIvector)specifiedbythecommission.TheUIrateatacertaintimeis dependentonthefrequencyatthattime.ThustheUIvectorislinkedtothefrequency.CERChastaken several measures to improve the frequency profile in the grid bygradually tightening the permissible operatingbandforfrequencyandthevolumeofunscheduledInterchangebytheentitiesinthegrid.

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ThenormaloperatingfrequencyrangeallowedbytheIndianElectricityGridCodetill31stMarch2009 was49.0to50.5Hz.ThefrequencybandwastightenedbyCERCinsubsequentamendmentstoIEGC. Thefrequencybandw.e.f3rdMay2010is49.5Hzto50.2Hz. Table3:OperatingrangeforfrequencyspecifiedinIEGC SNo. 1 2 3 SimilarlytheUImechanismhasbeenrevisedseveraltimesinthepasttoimprovethefrequencyprofile inthegrid.ThevariousstagesofevolutionoftheUImechanismhasbeendisplayedasAnnexure.The continuousimprovementinthegridfrequencyprofileisevidentfromthefrequencyprofilerecordedin theNorthEastWestgridinthepastfewyearsasdisplayedinfigure2and3below.

ER / NEW GRID MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM FREQUENCY JANUARY'98 ONWARDS
54.0 53.5 53.0 52.5 52.0 51.5 Hz --> 51.0 50.5 50.0 49.5 49.0 48.5 48.0 47.5 47.0
Jan-98 Jan-99 Jan-00 Jan-01 Jan-02 Jan-03 Jan-04 Jan-05 Jan-06 Jan-07 Jan-08 Jan-09 Jan-10 Jan-11

Period Till31stMarch2009 1stApril2009to2ndMay2010 w.e.f3rdMay2010

OperatingRange(inHz) 49.0to50.5 49.2to50.3 49.5to50.2

MaximumFrequency

MinimumFrequency

Date -->

MAXIMUM

MINIMUM

Figure1:MaximumandminimumfrequencyrecordedinNEWgrid

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SR GRID MAXIMUM, MINIMUM FREQUENCY PLOT FROM APRIL-2001 ONWARDS

51.5 51.0 50.5 50.0 49.5 49.0 48.5 48.0 47.5 Aug-07 Aug-08 Aug-09 Aug-10 Apr-01 Sep-01 Sep-02 Sep-03 Sep-04 Sep-05 Sep-06 Mar-02 Mar-03 Mar-04 Mar-05 Mar-06 Mar-07 Feb-08 Feb-09 Feb-10 Feb-11

MaximumFrequency

FREQUENCY IN HZ --->

MinimumFrequency

DAY ---->

MAXIMUM

MINIMUM

Figure2:MaximumandMinimumfrequencyrecordedinSRgrid 5. SignificantdevelopmentsandconcernsinIndiangridinnearfuture ThepowersysteminIndiaisexpandingatafastpacetomeettherequirementsofIndianeconomy.Few significantdevelopmentsinthepowersystemthatnecessitatediscussiononthefrequencystandardsin theIndiangridhavebeenhighlightedbelow. a) GrowingsizeofInterconnection Indian grid is presently demarcated into five regional grids. Four out of the five grids (except Southern Grid) are operating in synchronism since August 2006. There are plans to integrate the Southern Grid with the rest of the grid through synchronous ties in near future (presently it is through asynchronous HVDC link). Indian grid is also striving to expand by establishing interconnectionwithneighbouringcountries.Bhutanisalreadysynchronouslyinterconnectedwhile NepalhasseveralasynchronoustieswiththeIndiangrid(ACradiallinks).Aprojectforestablishing asynchronous ties with Bangladesh through HVDC backtoback link is already under progress. A

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tighter operating band for frequency is essential for secure operation of a large synchronous interconnection. b) SizeofGeneratingUnitsandgenerationcomplex Presently the size of the largest generating unit in India is 660 MW and very soon 800 MW unit (Mundra UMPP) and 1000 MW unit (Nuclear unit at Kudunkulam) are also expected to be synchronized. Table4:Populationofdifferentsizeofgenerators

SNo. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

UnitSize 800MW and>800MW 660MW 600MW 540/500/490MW 300/330/380MW 250/210/200MW 140/150/170/185MW 100/110/120MW Lessthan100MW Total

Numberofunits Expectedsoon 2 4 45 13 244 74 205 983 1570

Table5:Numberoflargegenerationcomplex SNo. 1 2 3 4 5 Sizeofgenerationcomplex 4000MWandabove 2000MWto4000MW 1000MWto2000MW Below1000MW Total Number UMPPsexpectedsoon 7 36 325 368

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 Table6:Incidentsofcompletepowerstationtrip(May2010toJan2011) SNo. 1 2 3 The system is generally planned for outage of single largest unit outage. However number of incidentswherethecompletepowerstationhastrippedisalsosignificantlyhigh.Infactalmostall largepowerstationsinthecountryhavegoneunderforcedoutageatleastonce.Thegridfrequency needs to be maintained at level so that the system is able to bear the impact of such large but credible contingencies, even if it is with the help of suitable protection schemes such as load shedding schemes initiated by Under frequency, Rate of Change of frequency and Under Voltage. Thesettingofautomaticloadsheddingthroughunderfrequencyandrateofchangeoffrequency relaysisshowninTablesbelow. Table7:UnderFrequencyRelaysettingsadoptedinIndia Region NorthernRegion WesternRegion EasternRegion Northeasternregion SouthernRegion StageI 48.8 Hz 48.8Hz 48.5Hz 48.8Hz 48.8Hz StageII 48.6Hz 48.6Hz 48.2Hz 48.5Hz 48.5Hz StageIII 48.2Hz 48.2Hz 48.0Hz 48.2Hz 48.2Hz Generationloss >2000MW 1000MWto2000MW 500MWto1000MW Numberofinstances TrippingofstationssuchasKorbaand VindhyachalbeforeMay2010 4 3

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Table8:RateofChangeofFrequencyRelaysettingadoptedinIndiangrid Region NR WR SR c) Growingexpectationsofconsumers Alargeinterconnectioncaterstoadiversecategoryofconsumers.Anarrowoperatingrangeforgrid frequency significantly reduces wear and tear in electrical machines and thus increases their life. Moreover, with the increase in the proportion of sophisticated consumer loads such as process industries,tractionlocomotivesandsiliconloadstheexpectationofabetterpowerqualityfromthe gridisalsorising. d) Impactoffrequencyonvoltage It has been observed from studies that increase in frequency results in increase in voltage and decreaseinfrequencyresultsindecreaseinvoltage.InNortherngridithasbeenobservedthatone Hz frequency increase/decreaseis equivalent to 8 kV increase or decrease in voltage. This would haveasignificantimpactontransmissionlossesandefficiencyinthegrid. StageI 0.1Hzpersecand49.9Hz 0.1Hzpersecand49.9Hz 0.3Hzpersecand49.5Hz (Alarm) StageII 0.2Hzpersecand49.9Hz 0.2Hzpersecand49.9Hz 0.3Hz persecand49.3Hz (Trip) StageIII 0.2Hzpersecand49.9Hz

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 Figure3:Impactofgridfrequencyongridvoltage a) Frequencyfluctuationsandprimaryresponsefromgenerators It has beenobserved that the power number in NEW grid and SR grid is 1800 MW per Hertz and 1020 MW per Hertz respectively. Tightening of frequency band by 0.1 Hz may imply reduction in demand met by approximately 180 MW in NEW Grid and approximately 102 MW in SR Grid. However, grid operation within a narrow range would encourage utilities to provide primary responsefromtheirgenerators.Thiswouldhelpin arrestingthewidevariations infrequencyand network loadings during sudden change in injection/withdrawal from the grid. Thus improved securityandefficiencygainsobtainedthroughtighteningoffrequencybandaremuchlarger. b) VolumeofunscheduledInterchange AfrequencydependentunscheduledinterchangemechanismisinplaceintheIndiangrid.Awide operating range of frequency creates room for large volume of unscheduled interchanges. The volumeofUIandtheScheduledInterchangesisshowninfigurebelow.

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Figure4:VolumeofScheduledinterchangeandUnscheduledInterchange Several market players participate in the Indian market with a highly unbalanced portfolio. The unpredictability in the behaviour of such market players has serious implications forgridsecurity. ThereforeCERChastakenseveralinitiativestoencouragemarketplayerstoshiftfromUnscheduled InterchangetoScheduledInterchange.

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Figure5:TrendofweightedAveragePrices A comparison of UI rate with the weighted average energy price in the bilateral and collective transactionsintheNEW gridrevealsthattheUIrate hasbeenlowerthanthenegotiatedpricein bilateral transactions and the discovered price in the Power Exchange. This is a positive developmentandimpliesthatbuyersarewillingtopayapremiumforscheduledinterchangethat provides higher certainty. Therefore it is desirable to encourage the reliance on scheduled interchange through the available price signals and by enforcement of the UI volumes cap as mandated in the CERC regulations on Unscheduled Interchanges. The SERCs could also consider similarmeasures. c) Integrationofrenewableenergy Integrationofrenewableenergyinthegridisoneofthebiggestthrustareas.Thecontributionfrom windenergyishighestintherenewableportfolio.Theinstalledwindgenerationcapacityason30th Sep 2010 is 6070 MW. This is expected to be 13065 MW by Dec 2012. Considering the high

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variabilityandunpredictabilityofgenerationfromrenewable,theinjectionfromwindenergycanbe safelyabsorbedinthegridonlyifthefrequencyinthegridismaintainedinacomfortablerange. d) Simulationandmodelling The focus in power system and electricity market operation planning is gradually shifting from empiricalstudiestoquantitativeanalysisusingsimulationsstudies.Thesoftwareusedinmodelling generally assumes a stable frequency. A stable frequency regime would facilitate comparison of simulatedandactualsystembehaviour. 2. ComparisonofpermissiblefrequencyinothercountriesandviewsinIndia It is evident from the previous sections that the wide range of permissible frequency by design has economicaswellassecurityconcernsinalargegrid.Inthiscontextitthepermissibledeviationfrom thenominalfrequencyprevailinginothercountrieshasbeenexaminedandisshownisTablebelow. Table9:PermissibleFrequencybandinothercountries Country/Interconnection Nominal frequency (Hz) 60 50 60 50 50 50 PermissibleFrequency Band(Hz) 59.9560.05 49.950.1 59.856to60.144 49.850.2 49.550.2 49.550.5 Permissible Deviation(%) +/0.083% +/0.2% +/0.24% +/0.4% 1%/+0.4% +/1%

EasternInterconnection(US) Nordiccountries WesternInterconnection(US) Europe India OtherSAARCcountries

The intent of CERC on the desirable frequency band as mentioned in CERC order on ABT dated 4th January2000.

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Quote 5.9.8Anotherpointforconsiderationiswhetherchargesforoverdrawalshouldbethesameat49.0 Hz and even below 49.0 Hz. It should be noted that the declared frequency in India is 50 Hz. An integrated power system should operate with a grid frequency hovering around 50 Hz. In practice however, the frequency range in India has been 48.5 Hz to 50.00 Hz. This is not desirable for achieving interconnected/integrated operation of the grid. With the additions to generation capacities,itishopedthattheremaynotbeadropbelow 49Hz..Infacttheattempt should be to further narrow down the range with more generating capacities coming up and redundancycreated. Unquote The issue also finds a mention in the Minutes of Meeting of 4th Coordination Forum held on 17th August2009 Quote It was highlighted in the presentation that low frequency situations are also resulting in sub standardgridvoltages.Afterthediscussion,itwasgenerallyfeltthattherewasaneedtofurther narrowdownthepermissiblefrequencyrangefrom49.5Hzto50.3Hzw.e.f.January2010andfrom 49.8Hzto50.2Hzw.e.f.January2011. Unquote

3. Issuesfordiscussionwithrespecttotighteningoffrequencyband
Theissuesthatneedtobediscussedareasbelow: a) Tighteningofoperatingfrequencybandisdesirable Whatshouldbenextoperatingrangeforfrequency? Presentlytheoperatingrangeis49.5to50.2Hz

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SuggestedsolutionbyCERCstaff Inyear2011 Inyear2012 Deviationsfromscheduleareinevitableandthedeviationsfromschedulewouldbesettledat theUIrate.WhatshouldbethepermissiblevolumeofUnscheduledInterchangeforacontrol areaasapercentageofitsschedule? Nochangeproposed. : : 49.7to50.2HzwithaStepSizeof0.01Hz 49.8to50.1HzwithaStepSizeof0.01Hz

4. Otherissuesrelatedtogridsecurity
PowerSystemvisualizationandsituationalawarenessarevitalfordecisionmakingatthecontrolcentre. This requires reliable and fast communication between the generating stations/substations and the control centre. With the rapid expansion in the power system infrastructure in India a robust communicationinfrastructureisalsorequiredforpowersystemoperationandcontrol.Themajorissue inthisregardistheurgentneedforanexclusiveRegulationoncommunicationsystemforPowerSector x

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References
a. b. c. d. e. f. g. CEA,17thElectricPowerSurvey CEA,PowerScenarioataGlance,January2011 IndianElectricityRules1956,asamendedupto25thNovember2000 CERC,IndianElectricityGridCodeRegulation2010,April2010 CERC,UnscheduledInterchangechargesandRelatedMattersregulations,2010 NREB,ReportoftheTaskForceonFrequencyControl,December1992 DwarkaNath,UnderfrequencyTrendrelayasPowerSystemSaviour,InternationalSeminaronGridStabilityandLoad Management,Nagpur,January1996 h. NRPC,ReportoftheSubgroupconstitutedbyNorthernRegionOperationCoordinationSubcommitteetoreviewUnder FrequencySchemeinNorthernRegion,January2005 i. j. CERC,AnnualReportoftheMarketMonitoringCellofCERC,2009 S.K. Soonee et al., Frequency Response Characteristics of an Interconnected Power SystemA Case Study of Regional GridsinIndia,6thInternationalR&DConferenceonSustainableDevelopmentofWaterandEnergyResources,February 2007 k. S.K.Sooneeetal.,ReactivePowerandSystemfrequencyRelationshipaCaseStudy,7thInternationalR&DConference, February2009 l. CERCorderonABT,January2000

m. Minutesof4thCoordinationCommitteeMeeting,August2009

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Annexure

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