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Bhopal : Presenting an example of high level engineering efficiency, coordination and operational readiness, Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company Limited successfully conducted a black start mock drill last day with Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company (MahaTransco) through Pench Hydropower House Totaladoh. This exercise is undertaken with a view to ensure rapid restoration of the power system and uninterrupted power supply in case of specific emergency situations or partial or complete failure of the national power grid. Under this process, about 5 thousand MW production capacity of Maharashtra was given backup by constructing an island from Pench Hydroelectric Power Station of Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company to Koradi Thermal Power Station (Maha-Genco), Khaparkheda Thermal Power Station (Maha-Genco) and Vidarbha Industrial Power Station (Adani Group), Nagpur located in Maharashtra state.
Why is mock drill done?
Under the provisions of the Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC) and MEGC 2020, periodic testing and verification of grid restoration processes has been made mandatory. This includes the black start process, creation of an island and its re-coordination with the national grid in case of a complete or partial blackout.
How was the mock drill done?
This black start mock drill was successfully conducted at Pench Hydroelectric Power Station Totladoh on 21st January from 10:03 am to 12:02 pm. In this mock drill, about 20 MW of electricity was supplied from Pench Hydroelectric Power Station through island to three thermal power plants of Maharashtra, Koradi Thermal Power Station, Khaparkheda Thermal Power Station and Vidarbha Industrial Power Station. In this mock drill, the technical ability to start the power house in an emergency was tested. After successful and stable operation of Erin for about two hours, at 12:02 pm, Pench Hydroelectric Power Station was successfully re-synchronized with the National Electricity Grid. This entire process was completed as per the prescribed time limit and technical standards, which demonstrates the high level engineering efficiency, coordination and operational readiness of Madhya Pradesh Power Company.
What is black start mock drill
Black Start Mock Drill is a special technical exercise under which in case of any complete or partial black out, the power house is started with the help of self-start generators, without external grid support. Generally this process is done by water or gas based power plants, where the thermal power units are started sequentially by supplying power to the auxiliary systems through local stand-alone power sources such as diesel generator sets. This exercise is a practical test of quick solutions, reliability of the system and technical readiness and efficiency of the engineers.
Special role of Pench hydro power plant
In the context of grid related incidents in the past years, continuous readiness, testing and practice of black start capable power plants is very important, so that economic and social damage can be minimized by quickly restoring the power system in emergency situations. It is noteworthy that the only hydro power source available near Central India and Vidarbha region is the 160 MW capacity Pench hydro power plant. From this point of view, Pench Hydropower House plays an important role for emergency technical practice. This exercise was implemented by creating an emergency scenario for various thermal power plants located nearby in Maharashtra through Pench Hydropower House.
