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Hybrid Grid Operation in Indian Power System

T.MUTHU KUMAR, P.R.RRAGHURAM, S.SP.KUMAR

Power System Operation Corporation Limited
(A Wholly owned subsidiary of Power Grid Corporation of India Limited)
India

SUMMARY

The Indian power system has a mix of AC and DC transmission system. Prior to stage wise
synchronization of regional grids, HVDC back to back stations were used to transfer power between
regional grids. India has a skewed distribution of natural resources like coal, gas and hydro required
for electrical power generation. This has mandated building up of high capacity HVDC lines and AC
lines which help in transfer of power from surplus areas to deficit areas as transmission of bulk
electrical power is cheaper than transporting natural resources. More high capacity HVDC link
between regions are under construction or being planned. Hence there has been phase wise
strengthening of AC transmission lines in the Indian grid at the 400kV level at 765kV level. A 765kV
transmission system exists in the Western, Northern, Eastern and the Southern region. The AC
interconnections between the regional grids have helped in enhancing the reliability of grid. FACTS
devices have been installed in important AC transmission lines to increase the power flow capacity.

The hybrid mix of AC and DC transmission in India has given the system operator to exercise a better
control over the grid and flexibility in operation when any exigency occurs in the grid. The HVDC
back to back interconnections along with AC tie lines between regions help to keep a check on the AC
tie line flows. The Power oscillation damping feature of HVDC has helped in damping out any low
frequency oscillations occurring in the grid. Phase shifting transformers and VSC based HVDC station
are being planned to be installed in grid to have a better control on the power transfer and for better
voltage stability.

KEYWORDS

Hybrid grid, HVDC, SPS, interconnections

INTRODUCTION
The Indian power sector is one of the most diversified in the world. Sources for power generation range
from commercial sources like coal, lignite, natural gas, oil, hydro and nuclear power to other viable
non-conventional sources like wind, solar and agriculture and domestic waste. The installed capacity of
power generation in India has increased from a level of 1300 MW at the time of independence to over
255 Giga Watt as on 30.11.2014.

muthu@srldc.org
 Figure 1: Inter Regional interconnection

Since the advent of the current century, the focus of planning the generation and the transmission
system in the Country has shifted from the orientation of regional self-sufficiency to the concept of
optimization of utilization of resources on all-India basis. An all-India integrated national grid has
enabled harnessing of unevenly distributed generation resources in the Country i.e. the optimal
utilization of the hydro-thermal mix of generation resources taking into account the concentration of
coal in the eastern part of the country and hydro power sources in the north -eastern and northern parts
of the country [10]. The interconnection of grids has made it possible to operate grid with much lesser
variation in frequency due to higher system inertia which in turn has enhanced the operational security
of grid. The stability of synchronous operation has increased with the commissioning of more AC
interconnection between the regional grids and by using higher AC voltage level as backbone. Apart
from increasing reliability of the electricity grids, the synchronous operation of regional grids has
helped in harnessing the diversity available over the vast interconnection on account of weather,
festivals, culture, lifestyle, growth disparities etc.

With increasing size of the grid, however, some of the advantages of synchronous AC
interconnections diminish because of technical and co-ordination problems and because of high costs
for adjustments in the systems. The HVDC technology offers a number of technical and economic
advantages for interconnection [5]. The ability of the HVDC conversion process to transmit power,
independent of frequency variations, voltage phase angle and magnitude means that it is viable even
when the AC networks are otherwise independent. Furthermore the HVDC control could enable
positive reinforcement of the system parameters by the use of its ability to rapidly control power in
response to system disturbances involving frequency changes [4].

In long term, however, a hybrid interconnection is found to be the favourable solution, starting with an
HVDC interconnection utilizing its advantages, and later be extended by an additional AC
interconnection. In case that a synchronous interconnection is technically close to its limits, the HVDC
additionally can support the operation of the interconnected systems and improves the transmission
reliability. In principle, a hybrid AC/DC solution is found not have any limitation for the size of the
interconnected networks. [5]

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STRUCTURE OF HYBRID GRID IN INDIA

The transmission system in India comprises of the 220kV, 400kV, 765kV AC and HVDC bipole
transmission lines. The quantum of power transfer, the transmission distance and the requirement of
system inter-connections dictated the choice of transmission technology. The major emphasis in India
in the area of power transmission has till recent past been AC transmission. Viewed in this context, the
role of HVDC for transmission of power has been conceived as an adjunct and not as an alternative to
AC system. The HVDC technology is therefore being selectively adopted for providing point to point
long distance transmission for transfer of bulk power and to provide inter-regional ties.

As on 30-11-2014, there are about 16,292 circuit km of 76kV system; 1,32,730 circuit km of 400 kV
system; 1,47,567 circuit km of 220kV system; 9432 circuit Km of +/- 500 kV long distance HVDC
system in India. There is a HVDC Monopole of 200 MW and four HVDC Back-to-Back links of
3000 MW capacity. The present inter-regional transmission capacity of the National Grid is about
46450 MW [8].

The trunk transmission network comprises of the 400kV network which forms the backbone of the
system and is meant to carry bulk power across state boundaries from major power generation points
to bulk load centres. 765kV backbone network is present above the existing 400kV grid in-order to
optimize right of way (ROW) i.e., MW per meter ROW, enable higher power transfer between state
grids and to relieve congestion of 400kV grid. The 76kV AC transmission system is being built up in a
phase wise manner with the enhancement of the A.C grid. The rapid increase in EHV transmission has
made it possible not only to meet the increasing load requirements but also enhanced the reliability of
bulk power supply. The interstate or inter-regional tie lines comprises of 220kV and 400kV
transmission lines connecting neighbouring states or regions. When the regional grids were operated at
different frequencies HVDC Back to Back stations were used to provide asynchronous ties between
regional grids for limited power exchange. Now as the all the regional grid are synchronously
connected, these back to back HVDC stations provide additional benefit of controlling the power
flows on parallel AC ties. The intra-state transmission mainly comprises of 220kV and 132kV
transmission lines. These are used to carry power from bulk load centres to distribution system which
comprises of 66kV, 33kV and 11kV lines.

Figure 2: HVDC Transmission lines and HVDC Back to Back Stations

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The HVDC bipole transmission i.e., Rihand-Dadri (1500MW), Chandrapur-Padge(1500 MW), Mudra-
Mohindergarh (2500MW), Talcher-Kolar(2500 MW) are being used to transfer bulk power directly
from generating complex to the major load centres in Northern, Western and Southern region. HVDC
Balia-Bhiwadi (2500MW) is used to transmit surplus generation available in Eastern region to the load
centre in Northern region. During real time operation, tripping of these high capacity HVDC bipoles
pose threat to the security of the grid as the parallel 400kV system may be overloaded beyond their
thermal limit. To counter this situation, System protection schemes (SPS) have been provided to take
care of contingency of HVDC transmission lines. These SPS schemes are designed to take pre-
determined actions in the form of load shedding and generation back-down or tripping which relieves
the overloading/cascading of the parallel AC system. The SPS action is also graded i.e., the quantum
of load shed and generation trip depends on the antecedent flow on the HVDC bipole. SPS have to a
large extent mitigated the operational security to the grid during contingency of a HVDC bipole.

There is difficulty in development of additional transmission system due to issues such as

minimization of Right of Way, Protection of flora & fauna, wild life and minimal Impact on
Environment etc. This has necessitated strengthening the power transmission capability by improving
power transfer capacity of existing network by installation of FACTS device in existing transmission
network. Presently there are twenty four fixed series capacitors and six TCSC on 400kV lines all over
India resulting in increase of power transfer capability of these lines by 30-40%. The use of FACT
devices in 400kV transmission system has brought a flexibility in Line Loading i.e., to handle more
power as well as to optimize the use of transmission corridor by loading the different lines in the
corridor more or less equally.

India has preferred AC and HVDC system to interconnect with neighbouring countries i.e., with
Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh. There are AC interconnections i.e., 220kV and 400kV links with
Bhutan and 132kV radial links with Nepal. India is connected with Bangladesh through a 500MW
Back to Back HVDC station at Bheramara. In the near future, it is proposed to get connected with the
Srilanka through an undersea HVDC Cable.

SYSTEM OPERAION AND CONTROL WITH HYBRID GRID

1. Better handling of contingencies

The presence of a AC/DC hybrid grid in India has provided flexibility to the system operator to
exercise better control over grid during real time operation as well as during an exigency in grid.
The load generation balance has to be continuously maintained in order to keep the frequency
within prescribed limits as given by IEGC. At the time of a contingency in grid this load-
generation balance gets disturbed due to a generation or load loss. This in-turn leads the rise/ drop
of frequency and voltages. To counter such situation the system operator immediately instructs to
ramp up/down the margins available in HVDC bipole and HVDC Back to back links to bring
situation under control. The HVDC can ramp up or ramp down at a very fast rate; hence the
situation is brought to a normal state in a short amount of time. During load crash in a region
during a storm or a cyclone, as a contingency measure, the HVDC back to back station at used to
push the excess generation to the neighbouring regions to control the situation. The runback
feature in HVDC has been used as a control action of System protection scheme for contingency
of a critical AC lines in grid. The presence of HVDC links also prevents the spreading of
disturbance to larger scale.

2. Frequency control in AC system through HVDC

HVDC has provision for frequency control which is a quasi-steady state controller to assist the control
of the AC system frequency by the variation of power transfer to compensate for steady state changes
in system frequency. Clearly the same power transfer changes will take place in both the importing
and exporting region. Thus the convertor can only control to the requirements of one region.

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 Figure 3: Frequency Control Characteristics

The target frequency is set for the region and the convertor adjusts its power level according to
the deviation of the frequency from the target. The power/frequency characteristic of the
convertor can be set to match that of the generators. In the event that the power change is
sufficient to affect the other region such that the frequency goes beyond the normal limits then the
action can be moderated [4].

3. Damping of Oscillations
The power modulation control is available within the HVDC control system and can be selected
by the operator to damp low frequency power swings. Parameters are determined by system
studies. Power Modulation operates through the measurement of the changes in absolute phase
angle of the connected network busbar voltages. It produces an incremental change to the station
power order corresponding to the changes in the voltage phase angle in a sense to correct the
changes. The contributions arising from any power swings within both AC networks are summed
to achieve optimum damping [2]. Series capacitors in the form of fixed and variable
compensation (TCSC) have also helped in enhanced power transfer capability and damping of
power oscillations to improve system stability.

4. Control of Over-voltage conditions in grid

Few part of the NEWS grid is subjected to over voltage conditions during lightly loaded
conditions. To control the over voltage, the Var absorption by synchronous generators is
increased along with switching in Bus reactors. HVDC has provision for AC voltage control
which is a quasi steady state controller of near steady state converter AC bus voltage. The action
of the controls is to decrease DC voltage order within specified limits which are dependent on the
AC/DC scheme design limitations, notably the maximum practical control angle which increases
converter losses as well as valve arrester PCAV. The subsequent increase in converter reactive
power absorption goes some way towards correcting the increase in AC bus voltage, after which
filters are switched out in appropriate steps with the requisite time delays between switching’s.
Eventually, the bus voltage is corrected to be within the specified dead band and no further filter
switching is needed. Obviously, even with redundancy, there is a limit to the number of filters
one can switch out due to their harmonic absorption requirement with the link still transmitting
(possibly reduced) DC power [4].

5. Control of Power flow in AC lines

A 315 MVA, 400kV class, 3 phase, Phase shifting transformer (PST) has been installed in
southern regional grid at Kothagudam substation between the 220kV and 400kV network. PST
was installed to relieve congestion in the 220kV network by pushing power from 220kV to
400kV network. This also ensured the better utilization of the existing 400kV network and no
need for any additional augmentation at 220kV level. Power flow is controlled from 220kV to
400kV system with advance phase shift and from 400kV to 220kV in retard phase shift.
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 Power demand over ride feature of HVDC: Under certain weak network conditions such as those
caused by contingencies, the transmission of substantial levels of DC power particularly after a
transient disturbance causes an overloading of the AC system transmission lines near the
converter station. Adjacent parts of the rectifier side AC system suffer threatened P-V collapse,
unless the DC power level can be “run back” at an appropriate rate so as to stabilise AC system
bus voltages. Such a controlled reduction of DC power is called Power Demand Override (PDO)
and in DC schemes transmitting between 500 and 1000 MW from an AC system with an
Effective Short Circuit Ratio of around 2.0, is generally practiced at a maximum ramp rate of
around 150,000 MW per minute (2500 MW per second). PDO action is effectively open loop
insofar as its pre-designed response (power reduction level) is triggered by an AC system event
(such as line tripping) near to the converter station. The levels of power reduction are ascertained
by transient stability type studies, from the viewpoint of system stability as well as post runback
over voltages [4].

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

There is a phase wise transmission augmentation being done at the 400kV and 76kV level. By the end
of 12th plan (2012-17) it is envisaged to 32,250 circuit KM of 76kV and 1,44,819 circuit KM of 400kV
lines. Towards development of high intensity transmission corridor, there is a plan to develop ± 800
kV, 6000 MW HVDC system as a part of evacuation of bulk power from North Eastern Region (NER)
to Northern Region (NR) over a distance of around 2000 kms. In addition, increasing the AC voltage
level at 1200kV level has been planned. Research work for 1000kV HVDC system has also been
commenced. [9]. For dynamic compensation, hybrid solutions of STATCOM along with mechanically
switched capacitors & reactors controlled by STATCOM controller of will be installed at 13 locations
in the five regional grids. The STATCOM would be primarily used for dynamic compensation while
the mechanically switched reactors / capacitors would be for reactive compensation under steady state.

To provide an impetus to large scale integration of renewables, Green Energy Corridors are being
planned covering Intra/Inter State transmission system strengthening, other facilities like flexible
generation, establishment of Renewable Energy Management Centre, forecasting etc. to address
intermittency and variability aspects as well as grid integration issues of large scale RE generation.

CONCLUSION

In a rapidly developing country, like India, reliable supply of electricity plays an important role in
ensuring continued economic growth. The expansion of grid is to be done in a phased manner so that
the existing systems are not overloaded leading to bottleneck and congestion. Also by sharing out the
limited generation resources and taking advantage of diversities and differences in load patterns in the
different regions, it is possible to support faster growth and achieve more reliable supply. On long
term, a hybrid solution, consisting of HVDC and AC links, is the most promising solution for large
national and cross-border interconnected power systems.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors acknowledge the support and encouragement given by the management of PowerGrid
Corporation of India and Power System Operation Corporation Limited. The authorsalso acknowledge
the valuable contribution of colleagues and other utility engineers forproviding valuable insights and
inputs.

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DISCLAIMER

The views expressed in the paper are that of the authors and may or may not represent the views of the
organizations to which they belong.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] Advantages of large AC/DC System Interconnection, CIGRE Session 2006

[2] System benefits derived from the 500MW Back to Back HVDC Scheme at Sasaram, India,
CIGRE Session 2004
[3] Planning and design studies for +800kV, 6000MW HVDC System, CIGRE Session 2008
[4] Building India’s Grid : An Examination of the Infrastructure benefits of HVDC Transmission,
CIGRE Session 2002
[5] Application of HVDC for Large Power System Interconnections, CIGRE Session 2004
[6] Prospect of Bulk Power EHV and UHV Transmission, GRIDTECH 2007, India
[7] Empowering India through Integrated grid operation, FICCI, Energy Technologies Forum, 2008
[8] Report on Executive Summary Power Sector, November 2014, Central Electricity Authority,
India
[9] POWERGRID Report on Transmission and Distribution in India
[10] National Electricity Plan, Transmission, Central Electricity Authority, India, Feb 2012
[11] Report of the working group on Power for Twelfth Plan (2012-2017), January 2012
[12] 37th Report of Standing Committee on Energy (2012-13), Development of National grid
[13] Application study of FACTS devices in Indian Power System, IJCAT, Feb 2014