Importance of Load Scheduling

Scheduling is significant because it is meant to ensure the desired operating frequency of the grid. There are financial penalties for violating these schedules if these violations burden the grid and financial incentives if the violations help the grid, by an element of the tariff, known as unscheduled interchanges.

Monitoring the parameters of the grid is the prime real time function of the Load Dispatch Centre. These parameters include operating frequency, voltage levels at all points of the grid, status of line and transformer loading throughout the grid, especially at crucial points. In order to help the grid operator monitor these parameters over the large number of points in the grid, the Load Dispatch Centre is equipped with SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) System.

Based on the alarms generated by the SCADA System, action is taken by the grid operator by giving instructions to all concerned. All instructions of the grid operator have to be followed. All instructions are also recorded on a sound recorder, to be replayed at the time of analysis of a grid incident or any other contingency. The grid needs to be constantly monitored to observe whether it is operating within its limit. This work is being done in the RLDCs and SLDCs. The LDCs coordinate between the Central Generating Stations and States (through SLDCs).

Restoration of grid involves restoring the grid after a grid disturbance. Grid disturbance normally takes place in a matter of milliseconds and there is no time for the grid operator to react. Therefore, the operational procedures for restoration of a grid are planned well in advance and come under the scope of off-line operational planning. The grid operator just has to follow the procedure for restoring the grid.