What is National Electricity Grid ?
A grid is a system of high tension cables by which electrical power is distributed throughout a region.
An electrical grid is an interconnected network for delivering electricity from suppliers to consumers. It consists of generating stations that produce electrical power, high-voltage transmission lines that carry power from distant sources to demand centers, and distribution lines that connect individual customers.
National Electricity Grid is the electricity grid of the whole country.
National Electricity Grid is the electricity grid of the whole country.
Why is it in news ?
The Southern Power Grid of India recently was connected to the main National Electricity Grid in India.
The Southern Power Grid of India recently was connected to the main National Electricity Grid in India.
Advantages of this move
- It is now possible to transmit surplus (extra) power generated in other states to the states in South which are power-deficient.
- Augment the inter-regional power transfer capacity of Southern region
- Relieve the congestion being experienced in a few transmission corridors
- It will give boost to India’s economic growth.
- Synchronisation of all regional grids will help in optimal utilization of scarce natural resources by transfer of Power from Resource centric regions to Load centric regions.
- Further, this shall pave way for establishment of vibrant Electricity market facilitating trading of power across regions.
- “One Nation One Grid” shall synchronously connect all the regional grids and there will be one national frequency
How does it help?
- Various power-deficient states in the South previously were not able to purchase power from the surplus producing states (simply because they had different transmission set-ups)
- Also the southern states were not able to sell electricity in case when they produced extra electricity.
- Being in the same transmission corridor would help prevent regular outages and trip-ups that took place earlier.
- While the south faces a supply problem, it is states such as Chhattisgarh and Odisha that have seen a surge in generating capacity in recent years, well in excess of their requirements. From the perspective of the power plants in those regions, the integration of the southern grid with the national grid is of critical importance as it opens up a huge potential base of customers.
Will prices in the south come down?
There used to be a substantial difference in merchant power rates in the southern states where prices sometimes reached as high as Rs 15-20 per unit even as they stood at about Rs 5 per unit in other states. This differential is now expected to narrow.
There used to be a substantial difference in merchant power rates in the southern states where prices sometimes reached as high as Rs 15-20 per unit even as they stood at about Rs 5 per unit in other states. This differential is now expected to narrow.
Where does India stand now?
With this, the Indian power system becomes on the largest synchronized grids in the world with nearly 232,000 MW of installed capacity.
With this, the Indian power system becomes on the largest synchronized grids in the world with nearly 232,000 MW of installed capacity.
Which southern states will benefit the most?
States like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka will benefit most.
States like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka will benefit most.
Cost of the project to connect southern grid to the national grid?
It cost Power Grid Rs 815 crore to set up the uniform transmission system.
It cost Power Grid Rs 815 crore to set up the uniform transmission system.
Why was the southern grid the last to be connected?
It was expected that the south would be able produce adequate power from thermal and the nuclear plant coming up at Kudankulam, projects that later got delayed. As a result, the corporation focused last on the southern grid.
It was expected that the south would be able produce adequate power from thermal and the nuclear plant coming up at Kudankulam, projects that later got delayed. As a result, the corporation focused last on the southern grid.
Advantages of an integrated National Grid
- Electric utilities across regions are many times interconnected to allow for a variety of advantages.
- First is the fact that electric utilities benefits from its nature of being large and interconnecting utilities allows for economies of scale.
- Second, utilities can draw power from generator reserves from a different region in order to ensure continuing, reliable power and diversify their loads.
- Interconnection also allows regions to have access to cheap bulk energy by receiving power from different sources. For example, one region may be producing cheap hydro power during high water seasons, but in low water seasons, another area may be producing cheaper power through wind, allowing both regions to access cheaper energy sources from one another during different times of the year.
- Neighboring utilities also help others to maintain the overall system frequency and also help manage tie transfers between utility regions.
Different Grids in India
Indian electricity grid system is divided into 5 power grids namely:
1. Northern
2. Southern
3. Eastern
4. Western
5. North-Eastern
Indian electricity grid system is divided into 5 power grids namely:
1. Northern
2. Southern
3. Eastern
4. Western
5. North-Eastern
The Southern power grid was the last one to join the national power grid. In short, all the power grids are connected to the National Power grid now.
Challenges faced by the Power Grid
Four significant challenges to improving the power grid infrastructure are:
1. Installing new transmission lines (and obtaining approval of the new route and needed land) when there is local opposition to construction
2. Determining an equitable approach for recovering the construction costs of a transmission line being built within one State when the new line provides economic and system operation benefits to out-of-State customers
3. Ensuring that the network of long-distance transmission lines reaches renewable sites where high-quality renewable resources are located, which are often distant from areas where demand for electricity is concentrated.
4. Addressing the uncertainty in regulatory procedures regarding who is responsible for paying for new transmission lines; this uncertainty affects the private sector's ability to raise money to build them.
Four significant challenges to improving the power grid infrastructure are:
1. Installing new transmission lines (and obtaining approval of the new route and needed land) when there is local opposition to construction
2. Determining an equitable approach for recovering the construction costs of a transmission line being built within one State when the new line provides economic and system operation benefits to out-of-State customers
3. Ensuring that the network of long-distance transmission lines reaches renewable sites where high-quality renewable resources are located, which are often distant from areas where demand for electricity is concentrated.
4. Addressing the uncertainty in regulatory procedures regarding who is responsible for paying for new transmission lines; this uncertainty affects the private sector's ability to raise money to build them.
Some Facts about different power grids in India
1. Western Grid
Includes Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra
A high demand region because of relatively highly industrialized states like Maharashtra & Gujarat. But the large number of power plants in areas like Chhattisgarh mean that this region is key exporter of power to other regions like the north and south.
2. Northern Grid
2. Northern Grid
- Includes Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan & Uttarakhand.
- A major centre for demand for energy and which is fed power by both the eastern and western grids.
3. Eastern Grid
Includes Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha & Jharkhand.
Demand for power in this regions was not high due to low levels of industrialization. The setting up of new power plants in states like Odisha could lead to this grid also turning surplus.
4. Southern Grid
Includes Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh & Kerala.
Includes Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh & Kerala.
A region which was supposed to be surplus in power till a few years ago because of the expected commissioning of numerous power plants instead, delays have meant that this regions faces substantial shortages.
5. Northeastern Grid
Includes all North-Eastern States.
Includes all North-Eastern States.
The Smart Grid
T he "Smart Grid" consists of devices connected to transmission and distribution lines that allow utilities and customers to receive digital information from and communicate with the grid. These devices allow a utility to find out where an outage or other problem is on the line and sometimes even fix the problem by sending digital instructions. Smart devices in the home, office, or factory inform consumers of times when an appliance is using relatively high-cost energy and allow consumers to remotely adjust its settings.
Smart devices make a Smart Grid as they help utilities reduce line losses, detect and fix problems faster, and help consumers conserve energy, especially at times when demand reaches significantly high levels or an energy demand reduction is needed to support system reliability.
Northern Grid Failure in 2012
T he "Smart Grid" consists of devices connected to transmission and distribution lines that allow utilities and customers to receive digital information from and communicate with the grid. These devices allow a utility to find out where an outage or other problem is on the line and sometimes even fix the problem by sending digital instructions. Smart devices in the home, office, or factory inform consumers of times when an appliance is using relatively high-cost energy and allow consumers to remotely adjust its settings.
Smart devices make a Smart Grid as they help utilities reduce line losses, detect and fix problems faster, and help consumers conserve energy, especially at times when demand reaches significantly high levels or an energy demand reduction is needed to support system reliability.
Northern Grid Failure in 2012
1. Events occurred
It was one of the biggest power outages in the whole world. It even brought essential services like railways & metro to a halt. There have been power outages in the developed countries as well. But India seems to have suffered arguably the worst crisis in terms of the population that got affected.
July 30, 2012: The first disturbance which led to the collapse of Northern Regional Electricity grid occurred at 02.33 hrs on 30th July 2012, in which all states of Northern Region were affected.
July 31, 2012: The second incident which was more severe than the previous one occurred at 13.00 hours on 31.7.2012, leading to loss of power supply in three regions of the country viz. Northern region, Eastern Region and North Eastern Region.
2. Introduction to the “basics”
The stability of the grids depends on a delicate equilibrium of demand-supply chain. The amount of load is directly proportional to the amount of power generated. When the equilibrium between power generated and consumed gets disturbed and the load becomes more, it leads to tripping of the line. It is duty of the power distributors to maintain the equilibrium intact so that not trigger a grid failure.
3. Three pillars of the power grid
A power grid consists of three sections
a. stations which produce electricity from fuel (fossil or non-combustible),
b. the transmission lines which carry the power to the substations from the plants
c. the transformers which keep a check on the voltage.
4. Reasons for the grid failure
It was one of the biggest power outages in the whole world. It even brought essential services like railways & metro to a halt. There have been power outages in the developed countries as well. But India seems to have suffered arguably the worst crisis in terms of the population that got affected.
July 30, 2012: The first disturbance which led to the collapse of Northern Regional Electricity grid occurred at 02.33 hrs on 30th July 2012, in which all states of Northern Region were affected.
July 31, 2012: The second incident which was more severe than the previous one occurred at 13.00 hours on 31.7.2012, leading to loss of power supply in three regions of the country viz. Northern region, Eastern Region and North Eastern Region.
2. Introduction to the “basics”
The stability of the grids depends on a delicate equilibrium of demand-supply chain. The amount of load is directly proportional to the amount of power generated. When the equilibrium between power generated and consumed gets disturbed and the load becomes more, it leads to tripping of the line. It is duty of the power distributors to maintain the equilibrium intact so that not trigger a grid failure.
3. Three pillars of the power grid
A power grid consists of three sections
a. stations which produce electricity from fuel (fossil or non-combustible),
b. the transmission lines which carry the power to the substations from the plants
c. the transformers which keep a check on the voltage.
4. Reasons for the grid failure
- Failure of the important equipments.
- Drawing excessive power from the grid was also one of the reasons for failure.
A. There are various reasons why an excessive withdrawal of power happens. Weather phenomenon and change in sudden climate is one reason. Most of them cannot be controlled physically but can be minimized by keeping a close check.
B. There is a penalty clause: ‘Unscheduled Interchange’ rate - whenever the discoms draws more than necessary power, the UI rate goes up as a penalty. Northern states of India, like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Jammu Kashmir, have been found to be habitual violators. The UI penalty has – as is evident - not been able to deter the violators.
C. Presence of heavy industries and fast growing cities has necessitated the need for more power. But the production has not been able to cope up with the required distribution.
B. There is a penalty clause: ‘Unscheduled Interchange’ rate - whenever the discoms draws more than necessary power, the UI rate goes up as a penalty. Northern states of India, like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Jammu Kashmir, have been found to be habitual violators. The UI penalty has – as is evident - not been able to deter the violators.
C. Presence of heavy industries and fast growing cities has necessitated the need for more power. But the production has not been able to cope up with the required distribution.
- Protection system issues: The protection system i.e. protecting devices were found to be not functioning properly.
- Depleting transmission network: There was sudden depletion in the electricity transmission over the network.
- Non-compliance of directions issued.
What is Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL)?
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), is an Indian stateowned electric utilities company (PSU) headquartered in Gurgaon, India. Power Grid transmits about 50% of the total power generated in India on its transmission network. The Inter-regional capacity is enhanced to 32,000 MW. Power Grid has also diversified into a Telecom business and established a telecom network of 29,279 Kilometers and points of presence in 210 locations across the country. Power Grid has consistently maintained the transmission system availability over 99.00% which is at par with the International Utilities.
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), is an Indian stateowned electric utilities company (PSU) headquartered in Gurgaon, India. Power Grid transmits about 50% of the total power generated in India on its transmission network. The Inter-regional capacity is enhanced to 32,000 MW. Power Grid has also diversified into a Telecom business and established a telecom network of 29,279 Kilometers and points of presence in 210 locations across the country. Power Grid has consistently maintained the transmission system availability over 99.00% which is at par with the International Utilities.
What are power transmission lines ?
In general, power transmission lines can be said as those power cables which carry electricity at long distances via high voltage cables.
They are different from the cables that you see in the cities or towns or villages. While you are travelling to another city you can see big metallic star like structures. They are the one which actually have power transmission lines. They help in transmitting electricity to large distances.
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