Transmission Department
|
|
132/33/11kV Substation, Nangkor
Transmission Department (TD) is mandated to ensure uninterrupted availability of transmission network for evacuation of electricity to domestic and export markets. It is responsible for evacuating power from the various generating stations to load centers and provides link for export of power to India, through the transmission networks of 66kV and above. At present, the transmission network covers 13 Dzongkhags with about 803.043 km of line length (66, 132, 220 & 400kV) and 22 substations (619.5MVA).
BPC formally took over the 400kV transmission system along with the 400kV substation in Malbase on July 9, 2007 from THPA.
TD also took over the Deothang – Rangia Transmission line up to Motanga (10.60 km) for operation and maintenance from D&CD after commissioning on January 17, 2007.
At present, the Department operates and maintains the substations & transmission lines with 510 personnel posted under nine Divisions and the Head Office. For better co-ordination and maintenance, the Divisions are segregated into Substation Maintenance Divisions (SMD) and Transmission Maintenance Divisions (TMD) and related Cells and Units in the Head Office.
TD is also responsible for functions of the System Coordination, which will ultimately rest with the System Operator once the NLDC is completed and becomes operational. System Coordinator Office has become fully functional from October 1, 2007. Transmission Department as a System Coordinator is setting up database viz. generation schedule, domestic load, load growth forecast etc. for future interface/reference to the operations of National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC) in the offing.
Objectives
• To ensure highest reliability of the transmission lines and substations.
• To ensure best operation and maintenance practices.
• To ensure highest safety practices.
• To ensure the staffs are kept abreast with the latest technology.
• To ensure specialization in core areas such as SCADA, Communication, Relaying & Protection, Maintenance of 11kV and 33kV switchgear and 66 kV and above SF6 breakers and other important equipment.
Current Activities
• Operation and Maintenance of Substations
To ensure reliable power supply from the various substations, all the substations are provided with crew who works round the clock (in shifts) to perform necessary operations and monitor the substation equipment. The maintenance staffs carry out the routine, conditional and emergency breakdown maintenance of substation equipment.
• Upgradation of Substations
To cater power to the ever increasing demand in the capital city of Bhutan, Olakha substation is being upgraded to 2 x 20 MVA, 66/33kV from 2 x 5 MVA, 66/33/11kV substation. Contract agreement for Upgradation of Olakha substation was signed between Indo Power Projects Ltd. and BPC on Dec 13, 2007.
• Establishment of National Load Despatch Centre
Tendering works are under way for establishment of NLDC. Once established, all the system operations would be remote controlled with real time data access of the generation from the various hydro plants and the power flows at various transmission substation. The NLDC would also be encompassing real – time data analysis to assist the system operator to take corrective measures for any system exigencies.
Future Plans
• Upgrade existing substations:
Rationalization of methods is being done for the substations to be upgraded in a proper and systematic manner. Some of the existing substations will be upgraded to increase the existing substation capacity and all the substation will be provided with state-of-the-art equipment to keep pace with the changing needs, especially in view of the interface requirements with NLDC, and possible unmanned operations through substation automation.
• Replace the conventional PLCC system:
The present communication system using Power Line Carrier Communication (PLCC) will be gradually replaced with digital communication using OPGW (Optical Ground Wire) between various substations.
• Be able to carry out LIVE maintenance of the transmission system up to 220 kV.
