gcsc annual report 2010 - 02mar2011...engr. shafi al-haaj umer zeitoun engr. khalid huzaifa al-nafey...

اللجنة اإلشرافية لكود النقل السعوديGrid Code Supervisory Committee

Table of Contents

1. Message From the Chairman ..............................................................................7

2. GCSC Establishment .............................................................................................8

3. A Pictorial Introduction to the GCSC Team .....................................................9

4. GCSC Functions ...................................................................................................10

5. History of the GCSC – Short Yet Highly Productive ....................................11

6. GCSC's Achievements During the Year .........................................................12

7. Challenges Before the GCSC........................................................................... 19

8. Salient Features of GCSC Action Plan 2011.................................................21

9. GCSC Meetings Through the Lens ..................................................................22

10. Annexure .................................................................................................................25

10.1 Record of Amendments 10.2 Record of Derogations 10.3 GCSC 2010 Recommendations 10.4 ECRA Decisions for the Recommendations 10.5 Minutes of GCSC Quarterly Meetings 2010


GCSC Annual Report 2010 7

1. Message From the Chairman

Already in its fourth year of being, GCSC, al-hamdolillah, is rapidly emerging as an entity effectively contributing to achieve the smooth implementation of the SAGC. Our strength remains the openness adopted by the Committee – we listen to each other, we contradict with each other, we do our homework, prepare and bring the evidences, and then we approve the best solution for all the matters, issues and situations. At GCSC, we always feel totally confident and convinced of the fact that for making the grid's access and use safe, reliable, economic and non-discriminatory, we need to implement the SAGC in true letter and spirit.

During the year 2010, we aimed to capitalize on the learning and success gained during the first two years. The Committee discussed various requests for amendment to, and requests for derogation from, the SAGC. The Committee also conducted a comparison study for frequency variation and voltage variation limits, between the SAGC and other international codes. Moreover, the study on the international practices for the time period required for abnormal condition was also conducted.

In order to continue our march to raise the GCSC standards and effectiveness, we need to be our own critic; let us be tough with our mechanisms as well as our achievements. I propose to have an internal technical audit of GCSC activities held during the last three years. I conceive that efforts like such audit will assist us to capitalize more on our strengths and to further improve on our weaknesses besides helping us a great deal in better planning for the future. The outcome of this audit should also include recommendations for elevation of the GCSC as a role model for other such regulatory platforms.

In addition to our normal business during the year 2011, I also propose to undertake the reviewing and updating of the Saudi Arabian Grid Code, and its allied documents and tools including the GCSC Constitution, the GCSC Web Portal, etc. I would also like to add here that it is just about the right time to initiate thinking process on GCSC's five-year strategic plan 2012-17.

Though we regularly receive feedback from the stakeholders, yet we enthusiastically welcome more suggestions and comments to complement our efforts for further improving the GCSC's working.

Hamed Al-Saggaf Chairman, GCSC


GCSC Annual Report 2010 8

2. GCSC Establishment The Grid Code Supervisory Committee (GCSC) was established as per the ECRA Governor's decision number 12\429 dated 4\3\2008 and in pursuant to the SAGC's clause 1-10 that has been approved by the ECRA Board of Directors on 16\6\2007. The GCSC is to insure affective implementation of the SAGC, and overcome any obstacle for this purpose. In addition, the GCSC is to assure fair, economical and transparent connection to, and operation of the grid, which will ultimately facilitate development of a competitive power market in the Kingdom.

Table 1: Components of the Grid Code Supervisory Committee

Component Representation Category

Chairman MemberStakeholder Entity

1 2 Transmission

1

Regulator 1

1 Generation

(More than 500 MW) 1

Generation (Less than 500 MW) 1

2

1

Distribution

1

Directly Connected Customers

1


GCSC Annual Report 2010

9

3. A Pictorial Introduction to the GCSC Team

Engr. Hamed A

Al-Saggaf Dr. Abdullah Muhammad

Al-Abbas Engr. Ahmed Yaqoub Al-Furaih

Chairman, SEC Generation, SEC Generation, SWCC

Dr. Mahmoud Bahi El-Din Zayan Engr. Nezar M Saeed Al-Khanaizi Engr. Mohammad Y Al-Zahrani

Generation, ARAMCO Transmission, SEC Transmission, SEC

Engr. Salman Atiya Al-Zahrani Engr. Mohammad Y. Al-Taher

Engr. Fouad M. Al-Abdulqader

Transmission, MARAFIQ Distribution, SEC Distribution, SEC

`

Engr. Shafi Al-Haaj Umer Zeitoun

Engr. Khalid Huzaifa Al-Nafey

Engr. Rasheed Mohammad Al-Shubaili

Engr. Fayez Gaith Al-Jabri

Distribution, ARAMCO Distribution, MARAFIQ DCC, SABIC Regulator, ECRA



10

4. GCSC Functions



11

5. History of the GCSC – Short Yet Highly Productive

2010

1. Updating of the GCSC web portal 2. Study of frequency variation and voltage

variation limits in respect of the SAGC and other international codes

3. Study of the time period required for abnormal conditions of frequency

4. Study ECRA inquiries on the recommendations by the follow-up committee for incident reporting system

5. Discussion on 24 amendment and 51 derogation requests

6. Unifying the internal processes: dealing with the clarifications sought by grid users

7. Publishing of Annual Report 2009

2009

1. Conducted a study on Chapter7: Metering Code 2. Formation of a subcommittee for studying SEC-

generation derogation requests 3. Launching of GCSC website 4. Development of roles and functions of GCSC

Secretariat 5. Discussion on 4 derogation and 24 amendments

requests 6. Publishing of Annual Report 2008

2008

1. Setting up the Grid Code Supervisory Committee (GCSC)

2. Development of the GCSC Constitution 3. Launching of SAGC Web Portal 4. Consideration of 11 requests for amendments

to, and 4 requests for derogations from, the SAGC provisions



12

6. GCSC's Achievements During the Year

a. Updating of the GCSC web portal

The SAGC web portal was updated to post the (i) recent status of Members' information; (ii) Minutes of the Meetings; (iii) GCSC's recommendations on amendment and derogation requests filed by the stakeholders; and (iv) ECRA's decisions.

b. Study for frequency variation and voltage variation limits in respect of the

SAGC and other international codes

This study was conducted due to numerous amendments and derogation requests received from SEC owned generation facilities as well as from various Independent Power Producers regarding permissible limits for frequency and voltage variation. The SAGC was compared with other International Grid Codes to determine how stringent the SAGC in relation to the other Grid Codes is. The study's outcome presented in Table 2 and 3 showed that the voltage and frequency limits in other grid codes are more stringent than the limits in the SAGC.

c. Study of the time period required for abnormal conditions of frequency

In view of the various amendment and derogation requests received from the generators, the Committee undertook to study (i) the 30 seconds operation requirement for generators within the frequency range of 57.0 – 57.4 Hz and 61.6 – 62.5 Hz; and (ii) the 30 minutes operation requirement for generators within the frequency range of 57.5 – 58.7 Hz and 60.6 – 61.5 Hz. The SAGC was compared with other International Grid Codes in this respect too. It was observed from the study that the time periods used by other grid codes are more tough than the periods used in the SAGC.

d. Study ECRA's inquiries on the recommendations by the follow-up committee for incident reporting system

Studied and responded to inquiries made by ECRA, through its consultant KEMA, on the following issues: (i) on the review of the SAGC and SADC provisions pertaining to significant incidents; (ii) plans to deal with a complete loss of a control center; and (iii) different rules for isolated systems pertaining to planning and operation.

e. Discussion on amendments and derogation requests

The committee discussed, and processed twenty-four requests for amendment to the SAGC, and sixty derogation requests from the SAGC during its regular meetings since 2008. The committee clarified among its members the difference between the amendment requests and derogation requests, and the conditions when to ask for such request.



13

Table 2: Frequency Limits of Various Power Transmission Utilities

Table 3: Voltage Limits of Various Power Transmission Utilities



14

Figure 1: Steps for processing amendment and derogation requests

As shown in the above diagram, the GCSC will consider the amendment or derogation request, and submit its recommendations to ECRA for a final decision. ECRA will take

decision after considering the proposal and recommendation from the GCSC and will

inform the GCSC about its decision. The GCSC will then inform the initiator whether his

request has been accepted or not. For amendment proposals, the GCSC will keep a

record of all approved amendments to be incorporated in the next revision of the SAGC.

While for derogation proposals, if a user’s proposal is rejected, he shall comply with the

existing provisions of the Code. And if his proposal is accepted or modified then this user

will not be required to comply with the relevant provision(s) of the SAGC but will instead comply with any alternate provision(s) mentioned in the derogation.

Proposal Prepared

Submitted to GCSC

GCSC consults experts

GCSC finalizes its

review

GCSC recommends

to ECRA

ECRA considers

and decides

ECRA informs GCSC

GCSC informs the

initiator GCSC takes action



15

Chart 1: Numbers of received Amendment Requests

Chart 2: Statistics of the status of Amendment Requests

So far, the GCSC has received 44 Amendments Requests, with the following breakup:

• Requests discussed: 24

• Withdrawn and re-submitted as derogation requests: 4

• Clarification sought for: 1

• Suspended as per proposer's request: 20

• Agreed and recommended to ECRA: 6

• Refuted with appropriate justifications: 11



16

Chart 3: Numbers of received Derogation Requests

Chart 4: Statistics of the status of Derogation Requests

The GCSC has received 74 requests for derogation, from provisions of the SAGC, with the following breakup:

• Requests discussed: 51

• Withdrawn by the proposer: 23

• Withdrawn by the Committee: 9

• Clarifications and justification are sought from the proposer: 33

• Agreed and recommended to ECRA: 8

• Refuted with appropriate justifications: 1



17

f. Unifying the internal processes: dealing with the clarifications sought by grid users

During its 9th regular meeting, the GCSC agreed to delegate the authority to the Secretariat and/or the Chairman to immediately respond to certain inquiries received from the stakeholders without necessarily waiting for the next scheduled meeting of the Committee. However, inquiries that will need deliberation shall be included in the regular agenda of the next scheduled meeting or routed via email.

g. Business Meetings

In pursuant to its constitution, the Committee is to hold 4 meetings during each calendar year (one in each quarter or at such other regular scheduled dates as it may decide). It can request further meetings as per the business need. Since its inception, the Committee has so far conducted 10 regular meetings.

Table 2: Statistics of GCSC Meetings

Event Date Attendees Venue Sponsor

1st Meeting 23/03/2008 Members:12

Guests:1 Absent:1

Riyadh - ECRA office

2nd Meeting 05/05\2008

Members:10 Alternates:2

Guest:1 Absents:3

Riyadh - Sheraton

Hotel

3rd Meeting 21/10/2008 Members:12

Guests:5 Absent:1

Riyadh - Sabic HQ.

4th Meeting 19/01/2009


Guests:3 Absents:2

Dhahran - Aramco R&D

Center



Guests:2 Absents:2

Yanbu - Holiday Inn

Hotel


Members:13 Alternate1:1

Guests:4 Absent:1

Al-Khobar - Golden Tulip



Guests:2 Absents:2

Riyadh - Marriot Hotel



18

Event Date Attendees Venue Sponsor



Guests:2 Absents:4

Jeddah - Hilton Hotel


Members:12 Alternate:1 Guests:4 Absents:2

Al- Khobar - Holiday Inn

Hotel

10th Meeting 30/10/2010

Members:11 Alternates:2 Guest:1 Absents:2

Al- Khobar - Holiday Inn Hotel

Chart 5: Statistics of Members Attendance



19

7. Challenges Before the GCSC

Perspectives Challenges Proposed Solutions Status/The Way Forward

Ensure compliance with the provisions of the SAGC relevant to the granted derogations from the SAGC

Manage proper record to track and follow up all derogations in collaboration with the TSP.

A database is being maintained to monitor all Amendments and Derogations filed with ECRA.

SAG

C Im

plem

enta

tion

• Create sense of ownership of the SAGC among the transmission grid participants

• Keep the SAGC current, updated and enhanced to respond the changing world of electric power transmission

• Record grid users' inquiries and present it to GCSC for discussion.

• Study the international practices with relevance to the implementation of the grid codes.

• Disseminate the recommendations based on the comments received from the grid users.

• Study and consider remarks from other relevant parties.

• Develop a mechanism to upgrade the SAGC and establish the required timeframes.

• Will establish a formal mechanism that would respond to the grid users' clarifications

• Will consider all proposals received from the users.

• Studied the model for connection requirements between electricity generating companies in a US based entity (M/s Entergy Company).

• Studied the international practices for frequency and voltage variation limits and the permissible time period for abnormal conditions.

Acc

epta

nce

Managing fair, transparent, and unbiased operation by GCSC

Develop, share and implement GCSC internal operational procedures

Developed the roles and functions of the GCSC Secretariat, with detailed internal procedures that the Secretariat will apply to deal with its daily activities including establishing a systematic procedure for processing requests for amendments to, or derogations from the SAGC.



20

Perspectives Challenges Proposed Solutions Status/The Way Forward Su

stai

ning

as

an in

depe

nden

t pla

tform

Identify other funding source to continuously conduct the regular business of the GCSC.

• Identify and implement a suitable mechanism to provide sustained funding for all GCSC activities.

• Develop and adopt a formal and transparent financial system for recoding and reporting GCSC expenditure including stationery, office supplies and printing costs, as well as remuneration for consultancy studies, experts, members and subcommittees.

• The Committee discussed with ECRA the proposed amendment for providing logistic and administration support.

• ECRA agreed to finance all required studies and research of the GCSC as stated in the seventh minute of meeting.

Aw

aren

ess

Create and maintain awareness on: i) Compliance required with the obligations and submissions as stipulated in the SAGC; and ii) Roles, responsibilities, and performance of the GCSC

• Launch a well planned awareness campaign aiming at the awareness on the goals, objectives and provisions of the SAGC

• Introduce the GCSC and the SAGC at relevant platforms

• Arranged seven introductory workshops on the SAGC for the grid participants and other stakeholders.

• Published the user guide for the SAGC.

• SAGC Web Portal was launched and is being regularly maintained.



21

8. Salient Features of the GCSC Action Plan 2011

rocess and make appropriate recommendations on all requests received for amendments to, and derogations from, the SAGC

versee the future of electricity market in the Kingdom in order to identify the required technical procedures, standards and associated tools

ork to develop and implement adequate internal mechanisms to deal with the current challenges being faced by the GCSC, discuss and implement the most efficient solutions

xplore various options and prepare recommendations, by studying and analyzing the technical operational data, events, and system performance for the previous year, for further improving the performance of the grid participants and of the grid system

eview, modify and enhance the SAGC to keep it current as well as updated to ensure smooth operation of the electric power transmission system in the Kingdom

P O W

E R



22

9. GCSC meetings Through the Lens

A few snapshots from the 8th GCSC Meeting held at Jeddah during March 2010



23

A few snapshots from the 9th GCSC Meeting held at Al-Khobar during June 2010



24

A few snapshots from the 10th GCSC Meeting held at Al-Khobar during October 2010



25

10. Annexure

10.1 Record of Amendments

10.2 Record of Derogations

10.3 GCSC 2010 Recommendations

10.4 ECRA Decisions for the Recommendations

10.5 Minutes of GCSC Quarterly Meetings 2010

10.1 Record of Amendments

10.2 Record of Derogations

10.3 GCSC 2010 Recommendations

10.4 ECRA Decisions for the Recommendations

10.5 Minutes of GCSC Quarterly Meetings 2010

GCSC steps into the 4th year of excellence…

Please contact for your comments and suggestions at: Grid Code Supervisory Committee Al-Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

http://www.se.com.sa/SEC/English/Menu/PowerTransmissionNetwok/ [email protected]

[email protected]

gcsc annual report 2010 - 02mar2011...engr. shafi al-haaj umer zeitoun engr. khalid huzaifa al-nafey...

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