Transmission Constraints Identification and Solution: A Case Study of Practical Transmission Utility

Abstract

Transmission utilities faces problems to feed loads during the peak load conditions due to the critical network constraints. The constraints are to be identified in advance and feasible solutions will help to maintain uninterrupted power supply during the peak load scenario. This paper presents a detailed study to identify the transmission constraints of the utility network in southern parts of Rajasthan, India to feed peak load demand of 550 MW approximately. Critical transmission lines are identified and also the ring open and close status of 132 kV transmission lines in the region is also identified to simulate real time network operating scenario. Possible solutions are identified by performing loads flow study for the two scenario of base case network and nine proposed scenarios. Proposed scenarios are realized by considering the possible solutions which helps to overcome the transmission constraint of unequal loadings on the critical transmission lines. This is concluded that transmission constraint may be mitigated either by changing network operating topology by diverting the loads or by construction of new transmission lines. Study is performed using the MiPower software simulating the practical transmission network in Southern Parts of Rajasthan.