SYSTEM OPERATIONS

DEFINITIONS:

What is a system?

A system is a group of items integrated or combined together to work as an

entity.

What is operation?

Operation means the defined process of achieving result.

What is system operation? It is a process of manipulating integrated equipment

and devices to produce a desired result. As applied to the electrical industry, it is
the combined activities of individuals that are working together using the
available resources for the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical
energy.

System Operation then is the management of generation, transmission and

distribution resources of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), with the
aim of supplying electrical energy to all customers at a usable voltage and
frequency.

The primary aim of system operation is to meet all the power demands. A power
system is most effective when there is enough generation to cope with the demand
with a reasonable reserve margin to cope with emergencies.

The customers depend so much on electricity supply for their domestic,

commercial and industrial needs and they need it as much as possible, un-
interrupted. Any short power interruption brings inconveniences, hardship and
financial loss.
 Unfortunately it is difficult to guarantee continuity of power supply all the year
round. This is because power system components are subject to faults from
environment forces, adverse weather conditions such as rainfall, lightning strokes,
storm, high winds and induced faults on overhead transmission and distribution
lines. Man-made faults like people falling trees on transmission and distribution
lines or vehicles hitting distribution poles also result in a power interruption.
Breakdown of equipment due to old age is another reason for unnecessary power
outage. It is the responsibility of PHCN however, to approach the ideal power
system condition as closely as possible. This is possible with adequate
maintenance of the equipment.
Each staff involved in system operation must realize that he has important roles
to perform in the security of the system and unless these roles are performed
diligently, the security of the system cannot be guaranteed at all times. Each
component of the system is affected by the operation and condition of adjacent
component and so, it is very essential to have proper coordination and operation of
the entire system.
From the foregoing, system operation can be looked from three perspectives:

1. Generation Operations
2. Transmission Operations
3. Distribution Operations

1.0 GENERATION OPERATIONS

Depending on the type and nature of the power generation involved will
determine the operational procedure. For example, hydro will require
penstock priming; thermal (steam turbine) will require the furnace and
boiler to be heated up before starting the generating unit. This is in
addition to preparation of other auxiliaries.
 After the start-up, certain precautions must be observed to properly
bring the generating unit to the point of synchronizing. Local operating
instructions (whether main or supplementary) will enumerate these
procedures.
In addition to this, the operators are to ensure that the designed
operating limits are not exceeded to prevent breakdown.

2.0 TRANSMISSION OPERATION

Power transmission is the conveyance of the energy from the output at

generating stations to the distribution load centers. To get this done,
high voltage power transmission networks are employed. This networks
are tied together to form the national grid. Some of the components of
these networks are transmission lines, circuit breakers, isolators,
reactors transformers, capacitors, etc.
Power is generated at lower voltages not exceeding 16KV and this will
not be suitable for conveying the energy produced to far distance users
due to the attendant transmission line losses. Transmission operation
therefore requires that power should be conveyed at higher designated
voltages until it reaches the customers’ service points. Hence a
transformer is required to step up the voltage to a transmitting value of
either 132KV or 330KV or higher as the case may be.
Several activities are required to be carried out which include some of
the followings:
(a) Regulation of system voltage within the nominal operating level.
(b) Regulation of system load to match with the generation load sigma.
(c) Ensuring a load differential as spinning reserve for frequency
regulation and to serve as contingency pick up during emergencies
and sudden generation shortages.
(d) Regulation of the sub-transmission voltages to the distribution
networks.
(e) Scheduling of power system equipment outages to ensure that the
system integrity, stability and security are not compromised.
 While it is necessary that the system operators in the various
transformer stations should actively participate in the activities above,
the National Control Centre is saddled with the responsibilities
approving such activity.

2.1.0 ROLE OF NATIONAL CONTROL CENTER IN SYSTEM OPERATIONS

National Control Centre – Oshogbo is unique in the entire PHCN system in

addition to exercising System Control at NCC in accordance with PHCN statutory
duties. It also accommodates various technical sections of the directorate i.e.
System Control, Operations Planning, Communication Section and line department
2.1.1 System Operation Department: -
Job Functions
a. FREQUENCY CONTROL
 NCC is responsible for scheduling and dispatching of generation output to meet
demand and maintain frequency within satisfactory limits.
 Specify the target frequency to all power stations
 Normal Frequency - 50-0HZ
 Operating Limit - 5 0- 4 %
- 4 9. 8 - 5 0 .2 H Z
 Statutory Limit - 5 0. 0 H Z -1 %
= 4 9. 5 - 5 0. 5 H Z

b. VOLTAGE CONTROL
NCC is responsible for
i. Programming and controlling the voltage on the main interconnected
system.
 ii. Economic Loading of generating plant in accordance with the economic
merit order rating. (When sufficient generation is available).
iii. Provision of adequate spinning reserve to cope with the loss of at least
the load of single largest unit of 220mw) or loss of load transfer to the
system on single tie line linking any power station.
iv. Rationing of power supply when there is insufficient generation to cope
with demand.
v. Restoration of supply with minimum delay following a partial or total
system collapse.
vi. Sanctioning or initiation as appropriates the switching in or out of circuits
on the system.
vii. Ensuring that protective relay settings in service are adequate for normal
load flows, for security of power supply, otherwise advise on upgrading
of the relay settings.
viii. Specifying to Area Controls, satisfactory configuration and running
arrangement for the interconnected system including bus bar
arrangements.
ix. Keeping Area Controls informed of changes in the running arrangement
of the system conditions in any Area Control which are likely to affect
the operation of any other area.
x. Act promptly on all emergency reports from Power Stations Regional
Control Centers or Area Control Centre ensuring grid security at all time
is maintained.
xi. Co-coordinating all planned outages of System equipment for
maintenance and approving or re-scheduling such outages as appropriate
aiming at all times, the comminuting of supply and minimum in
conveniences to the consumers.
 xii. Keeping Headquarters management informed promptly of major changes
in the grid system.
xiii. Keeping management at all levels in the entire grid system informed on a
day to day basis, the condition of the entire grid system.

2.1.1 SYSTEM PLANNING DEPARTMENT:

Is responsible for:
1. The continuous System studies to provide workable guidelines for the
System Operations Department of NCC.
These studies include:
(a) LOAD FLOW STUDIES:
(i)To determine optimum conditions of active and reactive power
dispatch that permits a suitable voltage profile everywhere on the grid.
(b) STEADY STATE STABILITY ASSESSMENT:
To ensure that loading of various plants is well within practical stability
limits.
(b) SECURITY ASSESSMENT:
(c) To ascertain the reliability of the grid arrangement in event of loss of
certain line or equipment on forced, emergency or planned outages.
2. Post fault analysis of all major grid system disturbances. To determine cause and
make recommendations to prevent re-occurrence.
3. Collect data for:
(a) Load forecast (short term and daily).
(b) Plant fuel merit rating, and hence prepares daily load demand and generation
schedules for running the grid on a minute to minute basis.
The forecast data (short term) is also required for short term operational planning
meetings of the Generation and Transmission Sector.
4. Liaise with system planning (Engineering Sector) to:
(a) Ascertain Commissioning dates for all new works which will affect current
System Operations and running conditions and collect relevant design data on
these.
(b) Formulate data required for long term planning in PHCN.

5. Liaise with various PHCN Consultants and Contractors involved with

installation and Commissioning of all new works on site that will affect current
system operation.
6. Visit all Generation and Transformer Stations from time to time: -
(a) Collect data for updating NCC data bank on all equipment and Switchgear.
(b) Discuss with relevant station staff in respects of grid operations and protection
schemes. Organize with the participation of system control section run seminars
both at NCC as well as at all power stations, update old and new staff involved in
grid operations on current grid operation practice.
7 Collect data and generate various monthly, quarterly and yearly returns and
reports.

2.1.2 LIVE LINE OR HOT LINE DEPARTMENT:

As part of the efforts of the Authority to maintain uninterrupted power supply,
these crews of well trained personnel are equipped to handle jobs on live 330kv
and 132kv Transmission lines. Some of their jobs are:
1. Changing of broken or contaminated insulators.
2. Replacement of dampers, spacers and other transmission line components.
3. Mending of minor damages to conductors on the 330kv lines.
4. Removal of bird nests or other foreign bodies from gantries, and power
equipment in transformer stations.
1 Carry out aerial patrol of transmission lines in helicopter and ground patrols by
road.
2. Train personnel on regular line and live line techniques.
2.1.3 SUPPLEMENTARY NATIONAL CONTROL CENTER [Shiroro]
This station was built as a backup to cover the control or emergency evacuation of
the National Control Center Osogbo and to do Holding Operation and assume the
NCC responsibilities until either the NCC can be re-established or the National
Control staff can take over their responsibilities.
The station which is equipped with modern SCADA [Supervisory Control and
Data Acquisition] facilities is presently being used as monitoring and data
collection station for NCC.

2.2.0 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF SYSTEM OPERATION

(a) To meet the consumers power demand.

(b) To maintain economic loading of Generating Plants to minimize
production cost.
(c) Maintain good quality power supply by keeping the system voltages and
frequency within permissible limits.
(d) -Maintaining the agreed standard of security.
(e) Specifying to the Area Controls, satisfactory configuration and running
arrangement for the interconnected System, including Bus Bar
arrangement.
(f) -Keeping the Area Controls informed of changes in the running
arrangement of the System and conditions which are likely to affect
their operations.
 (g) Release Generation and transmission equipment for maintenance after
System needs have been met, to minimize customers’ inconveniencies.
(h) -Restoration of power supply following a partial or total System collapse.
Sectioning or initiating the switching in or out of Transmission Circuits
and other Grid equipment.
(i) -Monitoring System Protection Relay Operation, satisfying that they are
operating correctly otherwise, call for review of the protection.
(j) Obtain and distribute operating reports and statistics for Management
Information and Planning section .
(k) -Keep management at all levels informed of System conditions daily
through the writing of daily operational report and broadcasting to all
Stations.

2.3.0 THE 132KV GRID SYSTEM

Area Control Centers are responsible for the operation of the remaining
132KV System (excluding those linking power stations) and lower
transmission system in the area and co-coordinating with the appropriate
distribution staff. Major events affecting the system loading should
however be communicated to NCC, including planned outages before
commencing the outage and before restoration, [particularly feeders of
20MW or more].

Sub Station Operators are responsible for the operation of the

transmission circuits and other equipment in their Stations. Sub Station
Operators should seek approval from the Area Control Centre before
restoring a transmission line.
3.0 DISTRIBUTION OPERATIONS

The Distribution Sector is responsible for getting the power supply across to
the customers. This function is accomplished with the aid of step down
transformers and other related switchgears. Their aim is to supply the
customers with regular and quality power.

It is therefore necessary for the operations section to meet this demand

through proper voltage regulations on power transformers, constant
monitoring of feeders and transformers loading and providing necessary
information to the management on the need for transformer upgrading
and network expansion.

It is also necessary to note that the operation department of the

distribution sector needs to cooperate with the transmission system
operators in the proper loading of the system especially during
emergencies occasioned by generation and transformers load limitations.