Major Highlights 2009

major highlights 2009

GCC Power 2009

Summary and major highlights of the Conference Discussions

1. The start of operations of the GCC Interconnection brings new mode of coordinated system operations between GCC interconnected system, requiring harmonization of all aspect of protection and control to achieve stable system. The analysis have shown that the spinning reserves in each interconnected power system can be reduced by up to about 50 % and that the reliability should be improved by the synchronized operation of the power systems.
2. The interconnection of GCC networks creates new operational challenges, in particular for the control of frequency and interchange flows which requires new concepts in load-frequency control of interconnected systems in the GCC.
3. The philosophy of protection adopted for the GCC Interconnection protection has been so harmonized in order to ensure full protection coverage whilst care is taken to isolate only the faulty part to preserve the Interconnected System.
4. “Integrated Maintenance Management System” is a step toward modern Asset management System concept. Development of an effective integrated maintenance management system is seen to be essential to maximize asset performance and minimize the cost of achieving improved performance.
5. Installation of phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) at the critical system locations and wider implementation of Wide Area Monitoring Systems (WAMS) gives system operators higher visibility of the system status and voltage stability information which is very valuable for network stability assessment. However, the use of  Wide Area Monitoring Systems WAMS requires high speed communication systems
6. Dispatch Application System (DAS) was presented as a powerful application tool to facilitate the dispatch activities of the transmission network.
7. The proper performance of Protection Systems in today’s complex power systems becomes even more important. Identification of the critical factors that influence system stability help to enhance power system protections.
8. The use of IEC61850 as the Substation Automation standard is gaining more acceptance in GCC, to harness the standardization benefit of  IEC61850.

1. On-line monitoring systems can be used to diagnose faults and determine what action should be taken – leave the transformer in service, remove it for refurbishment or replace it.  Complex software systems are available to provide the user with a detailed diagnosis of the transformer and to enable them to make decisions about transformer maintenance and replacement.
2. Transformer oil is gaining more attention as an excellent diagnostic carrier. However, Oil samples may not reflect the true condition inside the tap changer oil compartment and thus may be misleading.
3. Corrosive Sulfur phenomena involving copper, insulating oil and solid insulation of oil-immersed transformers and reactors has gained more attention recently. “Total Corrosive Sulfur” has been introduced as a new diagnostic method to quantitatively detect the presence of corrosive sulfur compounds in the oil. In general, the method of chemical decomposition with selective depolarization of polar compounds was found to be effective to remove both corrosive compounds and copper from the oil, giving results comparable or even better than oil exchange.
4. Polymeric insulators in general and hollow core composite insulators in particular provide an outstanding performance with respect to the mechanical and electrical properties.
   It is some manufacturers’ views that, primarily, for UHV and HVDC applications porcelain insulators would not be feasible in the future since it is not possible to produce them in the dimensions needed at a competitive price level. Therefore, it can be expected that the substitution of porcelain by composite hollow insulators will increase significantly in the future.
5. Distributed Temperature Sensor system is an emerging tool for monitoring change in cable sheath temperature due to any external or internal Condition. It has been illustrated that DTS system will be very useful tool to evaluate actual, as well as maximum permissible loading on the cable.
6. Live works have been a proven method in many countries as an appropriate solution to avoid the disconnection of system elements that have strategic importance, or may cause weak system connections when taken out of service. However, application of such live work in the GCC requires special methodology, resources and equipment.
7. Good understanding of the development of the European electricity sector, especially the creation of the Centre for Coordination of Transmission System Operators (CORESO) would help the GCC systems in laying the appropriate road map for development of GCC power sector.

16.  Nuclear Power has been recognized as one strategic planning option for Electricity Generation in GCC which is good to produce large scale base load of electricity. However, serious concerns and questions need to be addressed regarding the storage and disposal of radioactive waste.