Important definitions

Total System Black Out

The system is said to be under total black out when all Regional utility generation has ceased
to operate and there is no supply from external interconnections to the Western grid and it is not
possible for the total system to function again without black start.

Partial System Black out

Blackout of a particular sonstituent system either partially or fully or of more than one
constituents’ systems.
System islands
In case, part of the system is separated from the grid due to system splitting or through
defence schemes and operates independently, it is called System Islanding.
Normal System Conditions
System will be declared to be normal when all islands are re-connected, all emergency and
essential loads restored and adequate transmission restored enabling States to draw their
scheduled requirements from ISGS.

The black start procedures should contain the following minimum details.
1. Generation Securing
2. Generation build-up
· Survival and Start-up Power of Power Plant(s).
· Power Station(s) with Black-start facility.
3. Build-up of islands
4. List of black start facilities, inter-state/regional ties, synchronizing points and essential
loads to be restored on priority
5. Detailed State/Utility-wise Restoration plans

SYSTEM RESTORATION APPROACHES

1. In systems with a fair dispersal of Generating stations with black start facilities, those generating
stations where black start facilities are available, should be started up and islands formed around
these generating stations by connecting essential loads. These islands are then interconnected at
predefined locations where synchronizing facilities are available. The speed of restoration enhances
with increase in number of black start facilities and their dispersal. Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and M.P
have considerable number of black start facilities while Maharashtra suffers from lack of adequate
number of black start generators. It is required to carefully monitor the operation of the island (re-
integration with rest of the grid) due to small stiffness in islands. One engineer shall be specifically
assigned to monitor one island.
2. While adding loads, care should be taken to ensure step by step addition keeping in view
load characteristics, ie., variation of load with respect to voltage and frequency and stiffness of
island. During cold load pick up sudden starting of motor loads or power plant auxiliaries like BFP, PA
fan etc., can cause voltage dips due to drawal of high starting currents. Essential loads can be
restarted in steps smaller than 5 MW. It is preferable to restore rotating type loads which co~tributes
to inertia of the island. In any case, load pick up should not cause frequency excursions greater than
0.5 Hz in the island.
3. The second approach could be followed in case self start facilities are available at only a
few power stations or the stqrt up power has to be imported from neighbouring regions at one0or
two points. In this approach, the start up power required to be extended to all the generating
stations on priority basis while restoring few loads and transformers for voltage control. The start up
power available from neighbouring regions at various interconnections have to be seriously explored
since considerable assistance can be availed and the restored system is connected to stable external
systems. The procedures have to be laid down for quickly harnessing these facilities.
The restoration through this approach could be delayed due to problems in charging the lines, high
voltage, lack of synchronising equipment at certain substations etc. and may involve system
disturbances during restoration.

OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES.

1. Each SLDC will coordinate synchronisation of units and transmission lines in its system in
consultation with WRLDC. For ISGS power stations , WRLDC will be coordinating for their
synchronisation. WRLDC will coordinate interstate/ inter-regional startup power availability and also
inter-state/inter-regionql synchronisation of the system.

2. Minimum 25 MW power flow from West to North will be maintained on HVDC back to
back link at Vindhyachal during normal operating condition.

3. Black start generation usage priorities:-

a) provide startup power to hot units
b) provide startup power to units that are cool; but capable of rapid restart
c) restore stations auxiliary service to generating stations0and sub-stations.
d) Pick up essential loads.

4. Transmission corridors used for startup power should be isolated from any
damaged/faulty equipment and are of minimum length and minimum voltage level to reduce line
charging.

5. The constituent receiving assistance during restoration process should restrict to the
agreed quantum only since this may have an adverse effect on healthy system0rendering the
assistance.
GENERAL GUIDELINES

While each disturbance would be different and may require a different plan, nevertheless it would be
useful to formulate general guidelines for the benefit of the load despatchers. These may be
described as0below:

i. The operators at generating stations and substations should have the knowledge of pre-planned
synchronising locations and synchronising procedures. Synchronising should be done preferably at
generating stations.
ii. Switching procedures should be clearly laid down and periodically reviewed.
 iii. The part systems should be reintegrated only after adequate stabilization.
iv. The transformer taps should be checked for desired settings to minimise voltage difference.
v. The substation operators and load despatchers sxould make a check of the capacitor banks and
reactors in service and accordingly to carry out the switching operations for voltage control.
vi. Energising long high voltage lines and cables should be avoided until enough generating
capacity is available.
vii. Provision of islanding schemes area-wise, power station-wise and unit-wise would enhance
the ability to restore faster. These should be fully exploited.
viii. Some of the generating units might have been saved due to successful islanding. Stabilization
of such online generation is of top most priority.
ix. Provision of start up power to nuclear plants should be given priority as poisoning of the
reactors would delay restoration of nuclear units.
x. In case of failure of main communication channels, guidelines for decision making should be
given to all the major substations and generating stations.
xi. Devising islands for power stations wherever small units could help in faster restoration of the
grid are available. One small unit at these power stations can be islanded with radial loads and/or
house load.

REQUIREMENT OF SURVIVAL POWER / AUXILIARY POWER

Survival power can be defined as the power needed for avoiding the damage to the equipment in
case of supply failure. This power is required for

· Turbine emergency oil pump

· Jacking oil pumps
· Barring gear of the turbines
· Lubricating oil pumps
· Compressors for ABCB operation
· Emergency lighting
· Battery chargers of units, station, and communication and telemetry system

The survival power required by 120 MW units is of the order of 250-350 kW while the requirement
of 210 MW units is of the order of 350-500 KW. As a general rule, the survival power requirement
would be around 0.25-0.30% of the unit capacity. Nuclear power plants should be supplied with
survival power on priority basis.

REQUIREMENT OF START UP POWER

The start-up power is the power required for the auxiliaries while the generating unit is restored.
The requirement of start-up power by various units is as follows:-

Nuclear & : 7 to 8% of the unit capacity

Thermal

Hydro : 0.5 to 1% of the unit capacity

Gas : 1.5 to 2% of the unit capacity.

1. REACTIVE POWER BALANCE

Objective

To keep system voltage within allowable range

Strategies

Ø Energising fewer high voltage lines

Ø Operating generators at minimum voltage levels (logging p.f)
Ø Deactivate switchable capacity
Ø Connect shunt reactors and tertiary reactors
Ø Adjustment of transformer taps
Ø Pick up loads with lagging p.f
Ø Charge more transformers
Ø Charge shorter lines
Ø Operating synchronous condensers / SVCs where available
Ø Avoid charging lines with series capacitors

Concerns

Ø Self excitation of generators and run away voltage rise.

2 LOAD AND GENERATION BALANCE

Objective

To maintain system frequency within allowable limits

Strategies

Ø Restore loads in small increments (minimum & essential)

Ø Smaller and radial loads to be restored prior to larger and network loads
Ø Feeders with U/F relays are restored later (bypass until frequency stabilizes)
Ø Load restoration based on load characteristics
Ø To get adequate inductive loading to compensate capacitive effect while charging high voltage
long line, a concentrated load of large town/city should be released along with that of Railways.
Ø Maintain frequency close to 50 Hz paying special attention to traction and other fluctuating loads

Concerns

Ø Size of load pick up depends upon the rate of response of prime movers
Ø Load pick up in large increments led to collapse of the restored systems
Twice in Gujarat on 9.12.95
Twice in Maharashtra on 9.12.95
Once in MP on 9.12.95
3 LOAD AND GENERATION CO- ORDINATION PRIORITIES

Restart Stage

Ø Priority to restore power supply to generating stations and load dispatch centers.
Ø Priority to supply start up power to hydro and gas units
Ø Priority for providing backup/survival/startup power to nuclear power stations
Ø Several load and generation islands formed
Ø Black starting of small hydro or gas units
Ø In each island, the objective is to supply station auxiliary power and start up power
Ø The number of islands limited by sources of black start units
Ø Each island should preferably be monitored by one load despatcher till reintegration.

Re-integration stage

Load restoration stage

v In small steps
v Observe frequency charges (< 0.5 Hz) with load addition
v Preferable to restore rotating type loads if possible
v Cold load pick up is the main concern

MONITORING & CONTROL

Ø Location of the fault and extent of collapse of the system should be ascertained before
restoration

Ø It is dangerous to restore a faulty line or faulty equipment

Ø Ensure communication links between control centers, power plants and sub-stations

Ø SCADA system performance

Inadequate displays
Excessive alarms
Protection tele-metering
EMS

Communications

¨ Establishing communication between LDCs, Generating Stations and major substations.

¨ All important substations only to be kept in touch with and links with unimportant substations
to0be cut off to avoid draining of batteries.
¨ All communication channels required for restoration process shall be used for operatyonal
communication only till grid normalcy is restored (IEGC 6.8.e)

PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS / SYNCHRONISATION

Ø Check all interlocks

Ø Sort out problems in closing of breakers due to low gas/air pressure

Ø Avoid paralleling islands through weak ties.
Ø Synchronizing facilities at sub-stations
Ø Standing phase angles to be checked and difference reduced by generation control.
Synchronisation only through synchro-check relays
Ø Try to synchronise islands or part systems, near the generating stations requires less co-ordination
and easier to control
Ø Operate generators on lagging p.f
Ø Generators supplying start up power should not be loaded beyond 80%
Ø The capacity of the island to sustain the starting current of BFPs should be checked
Ø If sub-systems are to be synchronized away from generating stations, be extremely cautious of
standing phase angle differences (system occurrence on 28.4.93 in Maharashtra)

7. ENERGY STORAGE

Loss of back up power supplies like:

Batteries
Battery chargers
UPS
Diesel sets

Could affect

· Operation of circuit breakers

· Motor operated isolators
· Communication
· SCADA
(one of the important causes of delays in restoration)

8 SWITCHING OVER VOLTAGES

· Energise small sections of lines

· Energise lower voltage lines
· In case of parallel circuits, energise one ckt.
· Control high voltages during restoration to avoid damage of Las/CVTs et.

9 Survival Power
Ensuring availability of back up power supplies such as batteries, battery chargers, D.G sets to avoid
effect on non operation of circuit breakers, communication systems etc., which can cause delay in
restoration.

10 Awareness of Restoration Plans

Training and necessary documentation may be provided to Load Despatchers by respective LDCs.

11 Exchange of Information

Exchange of information among SLDCs and between RLDC and SLDCs is essential for proper co-
ordination.

12 SYSTEM STUDIES FOR MAKING RESTORATION PLANS

1 Power flow

§ Multiple islands
§ Study voltage problems
§ Generator excitation limits
§ Transformer taps

2 Dynamic stability

§ To study load generation co-ordination

§ While load pick up, generation response could be studied

3 EMTP

§ To determine what lines to be charged

§ Transient over voltages in switching

13. RESTORATION PLAN

v Identification of collapsed power system components and equipment.

v Restart and supply start up power first to hydro and gas stations

v Startup power to thermal stations, auxiliary power to sub-stations

v Co-ordination of power plant start up with load pick up to bring generators to their stable
minimum generation levels

v Restore in sub-systems if multiple sources of startup power available

v Energising transmission lines with acceptable transient and sustained over

 voltages

v While load pick up, check frequency decline

v Reintegration of sub-systems

v Ensure discipline and avoid over drawals until proper stabilization

14. ROLE OF LOAD DESPATCH CENTRES

v Determine severity of collapse

v Identify and initiate black start facilities

v Import start up power from neighbouring states or regions
v Import more power to meet essential loads from neighbouring states or regions
v Decision making and guidance
v Determine priority loads
v Check unbalanced loading due to traction
v Getting start up power from captive power plants, if possible
v Ensure communication links, SCADA facilities
v Guidance to sub-station/generating station operators from the results of EMS
v Identify points of reintegration and synchronization
v Reporting

16. OVER VOLTAGE CONTROL DURING RESTORATION

(A) Sustained power frequency over voltages

v Due to lightly loaded lines

v May cause under excitation of generators
v May lead to self excitation of generators
v Over fluxing of transformers
(generate harmonic distortions and cause transformer over heating)

(B) Transient voltage or switching surges

v caused by energisation and de- energisation of lines

or
v switching of capacitive elements
v In conjunction with sustained o/v may cause arrestor failures

Harmonic Resonance Voltages

v Oscillatory un damped or weakly damped

v Of long duration
v Originate from equipment non linearities and switching natural frequency of series
resonance circuit formed by source inductance and line charging capacitance.
v Magnetizing in rush due to transformer energisation
v Lightly damped due to light loading of lines
v Over fluxing of transformers (beyond 1.1 pu)

2. Equipment limitations

Transformers and Arrestors

1.2 p.u for one minute

1.4 p.u for 10 seconds

Circuit breakers

v Will have reduced interrupting capability

v Can interrupt line charging currents upto 1.2 p.u

Control of sustained over voltages

v Sufficient under excitation capability on the generators

v Connect lagging p.f loads and shunt reactors

v Remove all sources of reactive power and switch off capacitor banks

v Run generators at maximum possible reactive power output to allow margin to adjust for
large charging reactive power during line switching

v Tap staggering of transformers

v Avoid extra parallel lines

v Maintain low voltage profile on the lines to reduce line charging

4. Control of switching transients

v Switching o/v may cause flash over and damage to equipment

v Switching transients on fast transient caused by ill timed closure of breakers

v To be controlled to 2.5 p.u for 400kV and 1.9 p.u for 800kV and 2.3 p.u for others

v Usually of fast front, low energy or slow front, high energy transients.

v Keep steady state voltage below 1.2 p.u. Keep generator terminal voltage around 0.8 p.u
5. Harmonic Resonance

v Transformers may get over excited and generate harmonics

v Combination of system inductance and line capacitance forms a series resonance circuit which is
excited by harmonic distortions produced by transformer saturation
v Harmonics generated by magnetic current in rush can also lead to harmonic resonance
v Sufficient load to be connected to the underlying system at both ends to damp oscillations
v Lower order resonances produce higher over voltages
(3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th harmonics)
v To control over voltage due to transformer over excitation, user lower taps (system studies)
v Harmonic resonance can be damped by connecting loads at both ends
v Connect dead load on the transformer to be energized
v Reduce number of highly loaded lines (in parallel paths)