THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERCONNECTED POWER SYSTEM

There are problems which are associated with the satisfactory implementation of the interconnected power system network.

       1) Voltage control

       2) Communication

       3) Frequency control

       4) Metering and instrumentation

       5) Shortage of reserve capacity

       6) Synchronizing problem

 Let’s explain these problems in details;

1) Voltage control: In the interconnected system, the voltage is an important parameter and it must remain constant at any point of the network. The system voltage may decrease due to high inductive load demand. Generally, this problem is occurring in the summer season because of the use of air-conditioner, water pump, and fans. This problem can be solved by meeting the reactive power requirement. For this purpose, the shunt capacitance is used at the load centers.

2) Communication: The communication facility is not sufficient to provide better operation in the interconnected power system because of the available frequency spectrum is congested. This problem is occurring in the present communication technique that is power line carrier communication (PLCC) technique. To overcome this problem, we have to use other communication techniques like fiber optics and multiple system digital microwave system.

3) Frequency control: The frequency is inversely proportional to the load demand. If load demand is increasing frequency is decreased and vice versa. In the case of peak load demand, the frequency is very low. The system frequency should maintain between 48.5 to 50.5 Hz. If system frequency is not in this range, in this condition frequency relay will operate and disconnect the load.

4) Metering and instrumentation: At a different stage of power system network, meters and sensors are placed to measure the quantities like voltage, current, frequency, active power, reactive power, etc. This meters and instruments are very costly. For load forecasting and future calculation, a record of this measurement we required. So, it is necessary to install sequential recorder, disturbance recorder, etc.

5) Shortage of reserve capacity: In the case of peak load, the load demand is more than the power generation. In this condition, if every power station has a certain amount of reserve power then it can be used to meet demand. This is also useful to meet minute to minute variation in load and load forecasting error.

This can be classified into two types: clod reserve and an operating reserve.

6) Synchronizing problem: In an interconnected power system, all the generators are connected in parallel and it must operate at the same frequency. If this does not happen than any generator of the system may go to out of step condition because of the synchronization breakup. In the worst condition, the blackout condition may create. So, it is a necessary condition to operate all the generating station in the synchronized manner.