STATUS OF ACTION TAKEN ON RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ENQUIRY COMMITTEE ON GRID DISTURBANCE IN NORTHERN REGION ON 30th JULY 2012 AND

IN NORTHERN, EASTERN & NORTH-EASTERN REGION ON 31st JULY 2012. (As on 22-03-2013) S.No. RECOMMENDATIONS Action Taken 9.1.1 There is a need to review protection schemes. This Committee concurs with recommendation of previous enquiry committees that a thorough third party protection audit need to be carried out in time bound manner. This exercise should be repeated periodically and monitored by RPCs. Action: RPCs, CTU, STUs Time Frame: 1 year NR : PGCIL has completed protection audit of all 132 important substations/ switchyards in the Northern Region in various phases on 15th November 2012. Gist is given at Appendix-I. WR: The audit of 137 out of 212 important substations in the Western Region has been completed and audit in remaining sub-stations is likely to complete by April 2013. In Gujarat, the audit was completed by a third party earlier in 2010 itself and all deficiencies rectified. In Maharashtra, audit of 90 s/s out of 119 S/s has been done rest to complete by March-13. In MP audit of 11 out of 37 S/S have been carried out rest to complete by April 2013. In Chhattisgarh audit of 9 out of 16 have been completed rest to complete by March-13, Goa & UTs, the process of audit is being finalized. 18 sub-station out of 31 sub-station belonging to PGCIL and NTPC has been comleted and rest is likely to complete by Aril-13. SR : Protection Audit have been completed for all 194 critical substations in the region on 22nd December 2012. Audit report circulated to all States and action plan to was discussed in SRPC meeting held on 2nd Feb-2013. As per the action plan the corrective measures have been initiated and to be complete within time frame ranging from 3 months to two years and total expenditure of around 158 Crores. ER : Protection audit for 42 S/s of 400kV, 1 HVDC and 11 S/s of 220 kV completed and report subted to RPC. DVC, West Bengal and Odhisha prepared action paln and intitiated actions. Jharkhand and Bihar to prepare the action plan and has to started work. NER : In NER there are about 135 Nos. of substation and generating stations of 132kV and above voltage class. The protection audit was planned in consultation with NERLDC, STU, CTU and Generating companies of NER. In February 2013, the protection audit of all stations was completed as per schedule. The report on audit of Protection system along with recommendations and implementation plan is likely to 1

S.No.

RECOMMENDATIONS be submitted by March 2013.

Action Taken

9.1.2

Till protection audit is taken up, there is need to take immediate review of zone-3 philosophy in particular. Techniques are available to modify characteristics of the relay so that it can distinguish between load encroachment and faults. These techniques and other alternatives should be explored immediately. Action: RPCs, CTU, STUs Time Frame: Immediate

Earlier, Zone-3 settings were not considered as part of the line loadability criterion. However, after the grid disturbances, the Zone-3 settings have been collected and analyzed to arrive at the safe line loading limits. In a meeting taken by Member (PS), CEA with CTU and POSOCO on 26th September 2012 regarding transmission line loadability, loading limits of transmission lines on all India basis were finalized and circulated vide letter dated 3rd October 2012. The report contains Zone-3 settings as well, wherever available. All concerned have been advised to check the settings where indicated / intimate the settings where not available. It was also decided at the meeting that Zone-3 settings need to be reviewed by POWERGRID in coordination with STUs, Generators and POSOCO so as to avoid load encroachment. POWERGRID has reviewed and verified all the implemented Zone-3 settings. As per information from CTU, NR 9 PMUs; SR 3 (+9 under implementation) PMUs; ER 12 PMUs (under implementation) and WR 10 PMUs (+7 under implementation) are functional. Further, Unified Real Time Dynamic State Measurement (URTDSM) Scheme with large scale deployment of PMUs is under CERC approval.

9.1.3

9.1.4

12 SPS of SR are already functional. 6 more SPS, are under various stage of implementation. In NR & ER 3 SPS each and in WR 2 SPS are implemented. A complete independent audit of time synchronization of This also forms a part of the protection audit undertaken / to be undertaken by CTU / DRs, ELs and PMUs should be carried out. STUs as per item 9.1.1 above. Action: Generators, CTU, STUs. Time Frame: 1 month

The application of synchro-phasor measurements from PMUs should be explored for protection systems. There is also an urgent need to deploy Special Protection System (SPS) in critical transmission elements. Also, there is need to make already approved SPS operational. Action: RPCs, CTU Time Frame: 1 year

S.No. 9.2.1

RECOMMENDATIONS Frequency band needs to be further tightened and brought close to 50 Hz. POSOCO may file an urgency application in Supreme Court for early resolution of the issue in view of the recent grid disturbances. Action: POSOCO Time Frame: 1 month

Action Taken CERC has directed the Commission Staff vide its order dated 29.11.12 to consider the POSOCO petition for further tightening of frequency band to 49.9 - 50.1. Hz. and prepare a proposal for further action on the same. Under active consideration of the Commission and involves examination by a committee comprising CEA, CTU and CERC. Commission to take a view based on recommendations of committee. Committee expected to take about 4 weeks time and about another 8 weeks required to amend the Regulations. (in about 3 months time) by June 2013 Regarding the Generation Reserves / Ancillary services, the petition for introducing these services in the country was filed by NLDC with CERC on 29.11.2010. Against this, CERC in its order issued on dated 20.07.2012 has directed its staff for formulation of draft Regulations for Ancillary Services and CERC staff is working on this proposal alongwith the proposal for amendment to the IEGC.

9.2.2

9.3

A review of UI mechanism should be carried out in view of its impact on recent grid disturbances. Frequency control through UI may be phased out in a time bound manner and Generation reserves/Ancillary services may be used for frequency control. Appropriate regulatory mechanism needs to be put in place for this purpose. POSOCO should take up the matter with CERC. Action: POSOCO Time Frame: 3 months All STUs should immediately enable under frequency and NR: status of functioning of Under-Frequency Relays (UFRs) and df/dt relays in NR df/dt based load shedding schemes. Central Commission as per the information received from various constituents are as under: should explore ways and means for implementation of 1. In Delhi all 24 UFR and 13 df/dt realys are functional. various regulations issued under the Electricity Act, 2003. Any violation of these regulations can prove to be costly as 2. In UP out of total 148 nos of UFR only 58 are functioning. (18 nos. of UFR have been procured and are being installed. 76 nos. of UFR are being procured and has been the case this time. RPCs need to take up the matter expected with expected delivery upto May 2013) for compliance. In case non-compliance persists, POSOCO 3. In Punjab out of 31 nos of UFRs 05 are non-functional and out of 28 nos of df/dt should approach Central Commission. 03 nos are non-functional (3 nos of UFR and 01 no. df/dt of have been made Action: STUs, RPCs, POSOCO operational. Information in regard to balance 02 nos of UFR and 02 nos of df/dt Time Frame: Immediate is awaited) 4. In Haryana out of 28 nos of UFR and 6 df/dt relays, 9 UFR were found defective 5 UFRs made operational and for 4 nos. of UFR order has been placed for 3

S.No.

RECOMMENDATIONS replacement.

Action Taken

5. In Rajasthan all 4 defective UFR out of 88 UFR, would be operational by 31-032013. 6. In Himachal Pradesh all 3 UFR are operational one df/dt relay out of 3 is defective which is being rectified. 7. J&K and Uttarakhand status not submitted, matter has been taken up with respective electricity departments. 8. Chandigarh has not submitted the self certification for its total 2 UFRs., matter taken up with Chandigarh. WR: Formed a committee to look into the matter of UFR and df/dt relay settings. The committee has revised (increased) the load-relief to be provided by UFRs keeping in view the voltage and frequency dependence of load. SR: Data regarding status of functioning of UFRs and df/dt relays has already been collected and sent to SRPC by PGCIL. It has been found that relays are available and enabled at all substations except some lines (Tamilnadu - 8 locations, Karnataka -11 locations, Andhra Pradesh 7 locations and one location each in Kerala and Puducherry). Corrective action on deficiencies is in progress. ER: UFR settings have been revised and made equivalent to those in NR and WR i.e. 48.8, 48.6 & 48.2 Hz and also finalized the quantum of load relief from each State of ER. States have confirmed that all UFRs as per the scheme of load-relief decided by ERPC are functional. A sub-group has been formed to carry out inspection of healthiness of UFRs. The inspection is being carried out regularly. The subgroup has been entrusted to carryout at least two inspections every month and submit the report in monthly OCC meetings. NER: The states in NER are understood to have submitted self-certification regarding functioning of under-frequency relays. No df/dt relay is installed in NER. POSOCO: Non-compliance of CERC regulations are being brought to the notice of the commission. High level logic for an automated contingency load shedding 4

S.No.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Action Taken protocol was circulated by POSOCO on 11th September 2012. Detailed logic for implementation being worked out in consultation with the states. A Petition on UFRs & df/dt relays was filed by NRLDC with CERC on 19th Sept, 2012. As per record of proceedings of hearing held on 14.02.2013,
(a) All entities shall ensure healthiness of the defense mechanisms i.e. UFR, df/dt relays etc at all the time;

(b) RPC secretariats shall monitor and ensure corrective actions within time frame; (c) All entities, who have not submitted the information, shall immediately file information, on affidavit with an advance copy to NRPC and NRLDC on or before15.3.2013; (d) NRPC shall take up the issue in the next NRPC meeting and submit the time schedule for procurement/rectification of all the relays in the NR and submit compliance report by 15.3.3013 as per Regulation 1.5 of the Grid Code. (e) NRLDC shall submit the operational report of the load relief obtained from the under frequency relays to NRPC Secretariat and to the Commission by 22.3.32013; and (f) NRLDC and NRPC may file, any discrepancy detected on the submissions filed by the respondents, on affidavit, with copy to the respondents, by 1.4.2013. The Commission directed the officer in charge of State STUs and SLDCs, who have not filed any response, appear before the Commission in next date of hearing to explain the reasons for non-compliance of the Commission's directions. The petition is listed for hearing on 9.4.2013. 5

S.No. 9.4

RECOMMENDATIONS All out efforts should be made to implement provisions of IEGC with regard to governor action. Central Commission needs to look into ways and means to hasten implementation of provisions of IEGC including that on governor action. POSOCO need to take up the matter with Central Commission. Action: POSOCO Time Frame: 3 months POSOCO should take up with Central Commission the issue of inconsistency between Congestion regulation and the detailed procedure framed there under so that congestion due to forced outages and Unscheduled Interchange (UI) can be handled effectively. Action: POSOCO Time Frame: 1 month NLDC and each RLDC should have one real-time security desk in all the shifts to be manned by engineer capable of carrying out TTC calculations. To facilitate this, manpower at NLDC and RLDCs need to be enhanced with regulatory support to take care of financial aspects. Till this arrangement can be firmed up, various scenarios of outages could be built, which then can be used by despatcher in real time. Faster algorithm for calculation of TTC may be adopted by the load despatchers to update it in real time under outage conditions. Action: POSOCO Time Frame: 6 months

Action Taken CERC in its order dated 31.12.2012 reiterated the need for compliance by generators and directed as to why they may not be held responsible for non-implementation of RGMO / FGMO mode of operation. CERC directed the task force constituted under Member (Thermal), CEA to complete the testing / tuning of identified units and finalize the protocols / modalities of testing in a time bound manner. CERC vide order issued on 18.12.2012 has directed staff of the CERC to consider the proposal by NLDC and initiate amendment process in the CERC Regulations 2009. CERC staff is working on the proposal. Proposal under active consideration of the Commission and orders expected shortly.

9.5.1

9.5.2

Updated version of PSS/E is installed at all SLDCs, RLDCs, NLDC, RPCs, CEA and CERC enabling simulation of the system and carrying out stability studies. Presently all planned outages are approved and TTC is reviewed and updated, if required, for these conditions.

9.6

Outage planning of inter-State and inter-regional This provision has been implemented. NLDC has been asked to depute its transmission elements should be carried out in a representatives to attend monthly OCC meetings in all the five RPCs to ensure proper coordinated manner at RPC fora (say Operation Co- implementation of this provision. 6

S.No.

RECOMMENDATIONS ordination sub-committee of RPCs) in accordance with regulation 5 of Central Electricity Authority (Grid Standards) Regulation, 2010 and Section 5.7.1 of Indian Electricity Grid Code. In case need for emergency maintenance arises in between two meeting of Operation Co-ordination sub-committee, NLDC and RLDCs should allow such maintenance after carefully looking at prevailing system conditions under intimation to RPC Secretariat. Action: RPCs Time Frame: Immediate In order to avoid frequent outages/opening of lines under over voltages and also providing voltage support under steady state and dynamic conditions, installation of adequate static and dynamic reactive power compensators should be planned. Action: CEA, CTU, STUs Time Frame: 6 months The powers of Load Despatch Centres and Regulatory Commissions related to non-compliance of statutory/regulatory provisions including that for noncompliance of directions and non-payment of UI charges, need review. Appropriate amendments need to be carried out in the Electricity Act, 2003 after such review. Action: Ministry of Power, GoI. Time Frame: 6 months

Action Taken

9.7

Installation of Fixed Reactors as already approved in various RPCs are under various stages of implementation. Further study on dynamic support is in progress by CTU and POSOCO in consultation with CEA.

9.8

Report of the Committee constituted under the chairmanship of Chairperson CEA to be submitted to MoP on amendments in the Electricity Act 2003 relating to grid matters shortly.

9.9.1

The regulatory provisions regarding absorption of reactive power by generating units needs to be implemented Action: POSOCO Time Frame: Immediate

As per system requirement the generators are being advised to absorb reactive power to control voltage. All RLDCs have issued communication to the Generators in this regard. The matter is also being discussed regularly in the Operation Co-ordination Sub-committee meetings of RPCs. 7

S.No.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Action Taken

9.9.2

An audit of devices such as HVDC, TCSC, SVC and PSS should be done immediately to ensure that their stability features are enabled. Further, exercise of PSS tuning should be planned and implemented. Settings of these dynamic stabilizing devices should be reviewed at appropriate intervals. Action: CTU, STUs, Generators Time Frame: 6 months

As per information from CTU, audit of Rihand-Dadri HVDC and Pasauli HVDC has been done and the stability features thereof are enabled. SVC is installed at Kanpur substation only and it is ON. TCSCs - installed at Gorakhpur, Purnea and Raipur only and the audit has been done. It was reported by PGCIL that TCSCs are functional. RPCs will deliberate this as well as implementation of other recommendations by the utilities in their forthcoming RPC / TCC meetings.

9.9.3

Functioning of existing PMUs and availability of their output to RLDCs and accuracy of time synchronization should be monitored on daily basis and, if required, corrective actions should be taken on priority basis. Action: CTU, POSOCO Time Frame: Immediate 9.10.1 The synchrophasor based WAMS employing PMUs offer a wide applications for real time monitoring and control of the system, specially under the dynamic conditions. Adequate number of PMUs should be installed to improve the visibility and real time monitoring of the system. Further the applications related to the synchrophasor based wide area monitoring, protection and control should be embedded in the system. Action: CTU Time Frame: 1 year 9.10.2 Possibility of voltage collapse prediction, sensing global power system conditions derived from local measurements may be explored. Action: RPCs

POWERGRID has time synchronized all the existing PMUs that have been installed under pilot project in identified substations in the country and made them fully functional. The real time output displays of the PMUs are now being accordingly made available to the respective system operators in the concerned RLDC. The PMU data from various locations is also available at the NLDC Control Room. Unified Real Time Dynamic State Measurement (URTDSM) system with large scale deployment of PMUs is being discussed with various RPCs prior to taking up with CERC for approval. Meanwhile, preparation of DPR and tender document by CTU is in progress. NIT floated in December 2012.

It is learnt that voltage collapse prediction relays are available in the market. RPCs are in the process of examining use of such relays through discussions in the respective Protection Coordination Sub-committee meetings. 8

S.No.

RECOMMENDATIONS Time Frame: 1 year

Action Taken

9.11

9.12

Need of Dynamic Security Assessment and review of State Estimation In order to assess the system security in real time and assess the vulnerability condition of the system, dynamic security assessment need to be periodically carried out at the control centers. A proper review and upgradation of the state estimation procedure is required to improve the visibility and situational awareness of the system. Action: POSOCO Time Frame: 6 months Efforts should be made to design islanding scheme based on frequency sensing relays so that in case of imminent grid failure, electrical islands can be formed. These electrical islands can not only help in maintaining supply to essential services but would also help in faster restoration of grid.

As per information from POSOCO, present system does not have dynamic security assessment capability. New systems are being developed / planned for the future.

NR : NAPS and RAPS islanding schemes are already functional. Islanding scheme for Delhi has been finalised by DTL in October 2012 and the same is under implementation. Punjab developed islanding schemes for GGSSTP Ropar with Gobindgarh area load , GHTP & GNDTP with Bathinda area load and the same is to be taken for implementation . UP submitted islanding schemes around Unchahar thermal power stations Haryana submitted its islanding schemes around Faridabad Action: CEA, RPCs, POWERGRID, STUs, SLDCs and Panipat power stations .Islanding schemes for UP and Haryana has been deliberated Generators 22-01-2013 in NRPC and they were advised to revise the scheme as per the decisions Time Frame: 6 months in the meeting. UP submitted the revised and final islanding scheme. Rajasthan initiated preparation of islanding schemes. WR : Mumbai, Ahmedabad, GTPS Uran islanding schemes are already functional. Islanding schemes for Vadodara, Bhopal and Nagpur are under study. All CPPs are planned for islanding at a slightly higher frequency than 48.8 Hz so that these stations are available for extending startup power. ER : CESC and many CPPs like Bokaro Steel, NALCO, etc. already have islanding schemes. Three islanding schemes viz. Bakreshwar with WB load, Chandrapura of DVC and Bandel TPS, are finalized and the process for implementation of these schemes have been initiated. 9

S.No.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Action Taken SR : Islanding schemes for Hyderabad and Chennai are already functional. 14 islanding schemes in the states of AP, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Kerala around power stations located in these states have been taken up for study by the respective STUs.

NER : An islanding scheme around Namrup TPS in Assam is already functional. Eight new islanding schemes have been taken up for study / examination. 9.13.1 As National Grid is on the horizon, homogenization of Although POSOCO in 100% subsidiary company of PGCIL, it has functional and system operation philosophy is need of the hour. The financial autonomy in grid operations. Further, strengthening of SLDCs is required to present organizational set up of Load Despatch Centres be done by the states. need to be reviewed. System operation needs to be entrusted to Independent System Operator (ISO). In addition, SLDCs should be reinforced and ring fenced for ensuring functional autonomy. Action: Govt. of India, State Govts. Time Frame: 1 year

9.13.2 Training and certification of system operators need to be given focused attention. Sufficient financial incentives need to be given to certified system operators so that system operation gets recognized as specialized activity. Action: Govt. of India, State Govts. Time Frame: 3 months 9.14 Intra-State transmission system needs to be planned and strengthened in a better way to avoid problems of frequent congestion. Action: STUs Time Frame: 2 years

Discussed on 21st August 2012 in the proposed National Power Committee meeting with participation of Chairmen of RPCs/TCCs and the Member Secretaries for implementation in the respective regions. Maharashtra has already started such scheme. Other State Govts. have to start the incentive scheme in this regard. SLDCs should provide inputs to the respective STUs for better planning / strengthening of intra-state transmission system. This needs to be implemented and monitored through RPCs. In NR, STUs have already been requested through OCC meeting to plan and strengthen their Intra-state transmission network. This would be continuously monitored at NRPC forum. 10

S.No.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Action Taken

9.15.1 Appropriate amendments should be carried out in Grid Connectivity standards are already having the requisite provisions in regard to the Connectivity Standards to restrain connectivity of a communication and telemetry facilities and as such amendment is not needed. generating station or a transmission element without required communication and telemetry facilities. Action: CEA. Time Frame: 6 months 9.15.2 The Communication network should be strengthened by putting fibre optic communication system. Further, the Communication network should be maintained properly to ensure reliability of data at Load Despatch Cenres. Action: CTU and STUs Time Frame: One years PGCIL have informed that requirement of Fibre Optic link for effective communication is being worked out by them with STUs through different RPCs and its implementation is being done in a progressive manner. The work of laying Fibre Optic cables in all the regions is being awarded progressively from December 2012 and is likely to be completed by the year 2014. Some of the states like J&K, Punjab have also sought assistance from PGCIL in installing fibre optic communication network.

9.15.3 RTUs and communication equipment should have uninterrupted power supply with proper battery backup so that in case of total power failure, supervisory control and data acquisition channels do not fail. Action: CTU and STUs Time Frame: 3 months 9.15.4 In case of existing generating stations or transmission elements without telemetry facility, the same should be put in place at the earliest. If prolonged operation without telemetry continues, POSOCO should approach Central Commission. Action: RPCs, POSOCO Time Frame: 6 months

PGCIL have intimated that at all locations batteries have been replaced except 6 locations in NR and rest of the other region it has been replaced.

The status of availability of Telemetry from various stations is being monitored closely by the RLDCs/NLDC. In case of non-availability of data from any location, the matter is being taken up with the concerned agency. NRPC and ERPC have also taken up the matter with the ISTS users at OCC / RPC forum and are monitoring the same.

11

S.No. 9.16

RECOMMENDATIONS Large variations are observed in time taken for initiation of unit start up (Boiler light up) by the stations after availability of start-up power and also for start ups/light up of subsequent units. While subsequent start-ups were very fast (10-20 minutes) in some of the units, in other cases they took considerably longer time several hours. Reasons for the delays in attempting first start-up and subsequent start-ups may be examined by the utilities in consultation with CEA. A standard procedure for preparatory activities and sequence of start up may be put in place by the stations to restore units as early as possible particularly in contingencies. Action: CEA, Generating Utilities and RLDCs Time Frame: one year At inter-State level, the entire landscape has changed over past few years. With de-licensing of generation and provision of open access in Electricity Act, 2003 and development of organized electricity markets, lot of generation is coming in the form of merchant generation. Four out of the five regions have been integrated and formation of National Grid is on the horizon. Under such scenario, there is need to review the Transmission Planning criteria. Action: CEA Time Frame: 3 months There is need to reinforce system study groups in power sector organisations to analyse the system behaviour under different network status/ tripping of lines/outage of generators. Where these do not exist, these should be created. Action: CEA, CTU and STU Time Span: one year

Action Taken Meeting was taken by Member (GO&D), CEA on 28th Aug., 2012 with POSOCO, NTPC & NRPC to examine delay in extension of start-up power to thermal power stations, wherein suggestions have been made to accelerate the process. Minutes have been sent to RPCs & CERC for discussion / implementation / suitable action on the suggestions and feedback to CEA. Gist of the suggestions enclosed at Appendix-II. Action plan prepared by CEA in this regard has already been circulated to all Generators in NR and generators have been requested to work on the action plan and implement the same. Member (Thermal), CEA is also studying the matter and likely to come up with the recommendations thereon soon.

9.17

The review of transmission planning criteria has been completed by CEA. The revised transmission planning criteria has been circulated to all concerned.

9.18

CTU is procuring system study software for distributing to various utilities. First phase of training programme on system studies has been held in September 2012, where software was distributed to STUs of Northern Region. Similar activity has been completed in SR in October 2012 and will be repeated in other regions also by the CTU.

12

S.No. 9.19

RECOMMENDATIONS It was felt that a separate task force may be formed, involving experts from academics, power utilities and system operators, to carry out a detailed analysis of the present grid conditions and anticipated scenarios which might lead to any such disturbances in future. The committee may identify medium and long term corrective measures as well as technological solutions to improve the health of the grid. Action: MOP, CEA Time Frame: 1 month For smooth operation of grid systems, it is absolutely important that all the power generating and distributing stations are connected on a very reliable telecom network. (i) A proper network may be built up preferably using MPLS (Multi Protocol Label Switching) which is simple, cost effective and reliable. In remote place where connectivity is a problem, the stations can use dedicated fibre cable from the nearest node. (ii) Since POWERGRID has its own fibre optic cables, practically covering all major nodes and power stations, a proper communication/IT network may be built using dedicated fibres to avoid any cyber attack on the power system. Action: CTU, STUs Time frame: 1 Yr

Action Taken The Task Force has been constituted by MoP on 13-12-2012. The Task Force held meeting five meetings since then. The fifth meeting was held on 8th March 2013. The Task Force has initiated the study on present grid conditions and anticipated scenarios. Relay coordination and general philosophy on islanding scheme is also under study.

9.20

CTU have informed that they already have a dedicated independent communication network in place. Further, they are in the process of developing a Grid Security Expert System (GSES) at an estimated cost of about Rs.1300 Crore which involves laying of optical fiber network costing about Rs.1100 Crore for reliable communication and control of under-frequency & df/dt relay based load shedding, etc. System will include substations of 132 kV level and above.

13

Appendix-I
Abstract of protection audit in NR Basic Protection Audit for all 132 nos. of important sub-stations/switchyard was carried out by POWERGRID in association with CPRI in six phases. The audit had indicated following deficiencies of critical nature: (i) Replacement of distance relays of static type with Numerical type (ii) Non-availability/ non-functioning of bus bar protection (iii) Non-availability/non-functioning of Single Phase Auto Recloser Scheme (iv) Non-availability/ non-functioning of Disturbance Recorder (DR) and Event Loggers (EL) (v) Non-availability/ non-functioning of Local Breaker Back up protection (vi) Earth fault in DC system (vii) Time synchronization of Disturbance Recorder (DR) and Event Logger (EL) (viii) Problems relating to DG set (ix) Problems relating to PLCC/protection coupler The issue of rectifying the above deficiencies was discussed in the 19th Protection Sub-Committee meeting held on 21.11.2012 and thereafter in the 24th TCC/27th NRPC meetings held on 29th /30th November 2012. During the discussions, it emerged that while some of the deficiencies can be rectified in a short period of about 03 months, the deficiencies which require procurement of new equipment may take about a year. The utilities were advised to submit action plan/action taken to rectify deficiencies observed. So far, only Rajasthan, NHPC, HVPNL, THDC and Karcham Wangtoo Hydro Power Station have submitted the action taken on the deficiencies observed.

14

Appendix-II Suggestions made at the meeting taken by CEA to examine delay in extension of start-up power CEA had taken a meeting on 28.08.2012 wherein representative from POSOCO, NTPC and NRPC Secretariat were present. In this meeting, it was decided that following actions would help in accelerating the process restoration of the grid and should be discussed in RPC forum for the purpose of monitoring & implementation and feedback forwarded to CEA : 1. All generating stations with self-start facility should be advised clearly to start their unit(s) on house load without waiting for any code / instruction from any agency / authority. However, such generating stations should charge a transmission line, only after receiving a go-ahead signal from the concerned Area LDC / SLDC / RLDC / neighboring substation / generating station for extending the supply further. 2. Various groups need to be formed & trained in each power station / substation to carry out specific tasks so that they may carry out those tasks efficiently during an emergency like a grid-failure. 3. Communication systems needed to be improved between RLDC and SLDCs, SLDCs and Area LDCs, and Area LDCs and substations in the area. This would improve coordination among them and help in connecting proper load during restoration process of the grid. 4. Fixation of charges by CERC for the start-up power extended by a power station to any other power station / utility would eliminate the commercial constraint in quick extension of start-up power. No power station should refuse extension of start-up power during emergencies for any reason except due to a valid technical constraint. The matter may be referred to CERC. 5. POSOCO should evolve a procedure to send communication regarding any grid disturbance to all the power utilities of the country immediately. This might involve the use of SMS on mobiles of heads of different agencies along with posting of preliminary report about the incident on the website of POSOCO for those who want to know the details. This report should be updated periodically, say on hourly basis, after the disturbance. This would help healthy parts of the grid take preventive action and avoid spread of disturbance to those areas. This is also likely to facilitate quick restoration of the grid by getting quick start-up supply from healthy areas. 6. Mock exercise should be carried out regularly by the power stations / substations, particularly those which generally play a prominent role in restoration of the grid. To ensure that the mock exercise was actually carried out by the power station in a realistic manner, the power station concerned should be required to submit a certificate to this effect from an independent 3rd party. 7. POSOCO would send the list of all those central / state transmission lines, which are used for extending the start-up power from a power station / substation to another, to CEA to monitor their healthiness. This list with CEA would be kept updated by POSOCO after each review of the restoration procedure.

15