Delhi is all set to implement an islanding plan for its power installations to prevent disruptions in power supply during grid disturbances. On Wednesday, Delhi was given the go-ahead by the Union Power Ministry for the islanding scheme it has drafted, which will be implemented by January 2013.
The proposed islanding scheme for the city has been envisaged to isolate power installations from the main grid when fluctuations occur and prevent a collapse. Once these installations are disconnected from the grid, they can be used to reenergise city’s power generation and also ensure supply to essential services like hospitals, rail services, water treatment plants and other critical services.
The scheme that was presented to Union Power Minister M. Veerappa Moily for approval by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, proposes that when grid disturbance is imminent, four islands of Delhi’s power system, capable of meeting essential loads will be created. Delhi State Load Dispatch Centre will have the overall responsibility of operation of the islanded system.
“The Islanding Scheme envisages that fall of frequency to 47.9 Hz will be taken as indication that grid disturbance is imminent and islanding will be initiated. Ideally one island is preferred but because of the peculiar network considerations of Delhi and limitation imposed by Rithala Combined Cycle Gas Turbine, there is no option but to create four islands, capable of meeting about 3400 MW of load during peak conditions,” said an official.
The four islands that have been identified are the Dadri-Jajjhar-Pragati Island, Bawana CCGT Island, BTPS-Pragati Island and the Rithala CCGT Island.
The islanding scheme was proposed after a massive Northern Grid failure in July this year that affected power supplies to almost the entire Northern region for two consecutive days. “After the grid collapse on two occasions it was decided that all States will prepare their islanding schemes in consultation with the Central Electricity Authority, Northern Regional Power Committees and the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited within a three month period to ensure their implementation can be carried out in the next six months. The Enquiry Committee constituted by Ministry of Power, to look into the detailed causes of these disturbances, has also recommended that efforts should be made for formation of electrical islands in case of imminent grid disturbance,” the official said.
Speaking on the occasion Mr. Moily said, the islanding scheme for Delhi will be in place in three months. He said the islanding facility for Delhi is being set up at a cost of Rs.25 crore and it will have a capacity of up to 3,400 MW. Currently, the essential electricity load spread across various distribution companies in Delhi is 930 MW.
