Operations Excellence
The Interconnection code compliance Program
Operational Activities
Excellence in Operational Activities is the one of the important strategic theme regarding the regional interconnected grid. This theme covers hard infrastructure and soft engineering elements of the EAPP Roadmap for Regional Power Systems Integration 2018 – 2027. As EAPP envisages additional interconnections in the region, the ability to monitor power flow and system stability will be a critical task.
Operations infrastructure
Apart from the availability of resources (human, material, and financial), the capability to discharge such a task requires EAPP to address network harmonization or standardization issues and avail the tools for system monitoring (like ICTs, Communications Infrastructure, and SCADA/EMS for monitoring, and AGC for flow control at the interconnectors).
The SCADA/EMS system of EAPP is not required to have the functional capability to control members’ network components. It is intended to acquire real time data for monitoring, and the coordination of system operation and power trade activities among interconnected members. The EAPP – General Secretariat also requires real-time data for contingency analysis of the interconnected grid.
The Energy Management System (EMS) will consist of a SCADA functionality, for the display in real time of relevant information on energy flows between participants in the power pool, and for the status of major system components. Some of this information will also be made available to EAPP members via this website.
Operationalization of the EAPP Grid Coordination Unit
The EAPP Grid Coordination Unit (EAPP GCU) is a body that will operate under the guidance of the EAPP Operations Committee, and that is responsible for the collection of relevant technical and commercial operation.
Many tasks for ensuring a reliable and efficient operation are assigned to the EAPP GCU. The EAPP GCU plays a role in operational planning, system operation, operational security, emergency operations, incident reporting, performance monitoring, testing, etc. As per the EAPP organisational manual, a list of activities are coordinated by the EAPP GCU. These activities consists of the responsibilities of the operational planning subunit, and could include responsibilities of the future real-time operation subunit, that could already be started.
Critical responsibilities are performance monitoring and the follow up of performance increase of the operation of the interconnected system, incident reporting and adhere the operational planning cycle as per EAPP Interconnection Code. By initiating these activities, performance is measured and a better analysis of what can be improved is possible. Only with this analysis it will be possible to further improve and take dedicated actions. At least number of hours in operation, the number of hours synchronized, number of tripping and analysis thereof and the level of utilisation should be monitored and published.
In parallel with the operationalization of the EAPP GCU, the EAPP Energy Information System must be developed, as per the strategic plan. By setting up the Energy Information System, all collected information is centralized and available for member utilities and EAPP acts as an information hub.
Operationalization and Interconnection Code Compliance
In the near future, the entire EAPP will be interconnected through either AC or DC interconnections. Operating an interconnected system results in enhanced reliability and system security, as well as additional challenges.
Certain requirements are key for operating an interconnected system (e.g. frequency control and primary response, coordinated UFLS scheme, cross-border power flow control, etc.). These have to be followed up on regular basis by the operations committee. The establishment of the control areas needs to take place, as several operational (and market related) responsibilities depend on it. The creation of synchronous area committees within the operations committee is also an important step towards a performance frequency control. Both the control areas and synchronous areas committees set out the resources and performance of frequency control.
Furthermore performance indicators have to be improved over the coming years, especially in the light of the increase of trading within EAPP (i.e. an interconnection that is proven unreliable will not cater more trade) and interconnection with SAPP (i.e. SAPP operates at higher performance standards, interconnection is not possible with diverging frequency control and reserve management).Utilities should have the habit to test machines that are out of service due maintenance. This testing allows to verify whether the performance of the governor is in line with the requirements. The largest machines have the highest priority.
Once a satisfying frequency control is achieved, preparation for the synchronization with SAPP can be started.
Operations Study reports
Following the resolutions of the 14th Council of Ministers’ meeting, held in Entebbe – Uganda on 21st February 2019 to advance implementation of the 10-Year EAPP Strategic Plan and continue support of the ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with the EAPP Interconnection Code (IC), Through the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) – World Bank – executed, Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) and the World Bank (WB) engaged a consortium of consultants, led by a consultant called “TRACTEBEL”, to provide consultancy service for carrying out Operational Readiness (OR) study for EAPP. Other consultants forming the consortium are “EA Energy Analyses” and “Energinet.DK”.
The consultants commenced the study in September 2019. According to the ToR, the consultancy, among other things, involved carrying out the following four major tasks: Task 1: Provision of technical advice and options to EAPP and member utilities in carrying out respective Interconnection code (IC) compliance programs; Task 2: Provision of technical advice to provide options to EAPP and member utilities as they prepare an updated regional power balance statement; Task 3:Provision of technical support to EAPP member utilities in carrying out training related to Interconnection Code Compliance (IC) program; and Task 4: Power system analysis.
All those deliverables above were developed in close collaboration with the EAPP Technical Committees as guided and resolved by the 14th CoM, the Steering Committee to ensure the support and commitment of the Technical Committees to lead the development of interconnected operations and regional markets.
| OPERATIONS STUDY REPORTS | PUBLISHED | DOWNLOAD |
|---|---|---|
| Task 1 – Interconnection code (IC) compliance programs – FINAL REPORT | 2021 | |
| Task 2 – Power Balance Statement 2019 -FINAL REPORT | 2019 | |
| Task 2 – Power Balance Statement 2020 – FINAL REPORT | 2020 | |
| Task 3 – Assessing the existing training programs -FINAL REPORT | 2021 | |
| Task 4 Power system analysis – FINAL REPORT | 2021 | |
