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Under an assignment of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Resource Management Associates (Pvt) Ltd conducted a power system modelling workshop for State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) in Maldives from 07 to 09 January 2024. The main objective of this workshop was to capacity building in power system network modelling using DIgSILENT PowerFactory of STELCO engineers and elevate their confidence in carrying out planning tasks by themselves.
A three-day workshop at STELCO Headquarters Malé provided comprehensive coverage on network planning, a case study about connecting a floating solar PV plant in the network model, and an introduction to dynamic simulation & frequency stability analysis.

The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) had taken a very ambitious policy decision to generate 70% of electricity from renewable energy (RE) sources by 2030. As the country’s large hydro potential has already been harnessed, Sri Lanka needs to depend on the next most abundant resources, solar and wind, with mini-hydro and biomass, to achieve this target. As approximately three times more installed power capacity is required from solar and wind plants to obtain the same amount of electricity generated from a conventional thermal generating plant (due to the lower “plant factor” of RE sources), a considerably higher capacity needs to be constructed now to meet the energy demand. This is a very significant challenge to the country in terms of raising required finances and also carrying out power plant implementation on time, in addition to the technical/engineering challenges that the utility engineers are separately planning to face. As the responsibility of developing RE resources and procuring electricity from such sources are in the hands of different institutions, which are operated under different enabling acts, a considerable alignment of all agencies is required to face the challenge. In the context, to achieve the GoSL policy, a very detailed master action plan is required to be prepared upfront, which needs to be meticulously executed and monitored to steer the country.

In this background, as per the request received from Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Asian Development Bank (ADB) assigned RMA provided technical assistance to CEB to develop the first Renewable Energy Development Master Action Plan (REDMAP).

RMA assisted State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) to assess medium voltage protection coordination settings of the existing medium voltage network in Malé and Hulhumalé to improve network reliability, and to identify required changes in protection schemes to interconnect the existing network with under construction 132 kV network. Capacity building of STELCO on network modelling was carried out as part of the assignment.

Information such as network configuration, cable sizes and lengths, relay models, current transformer ratios, generator parameters, transformer loadings and generator operating patterns, future expansion plans were obtained from STELCO. The existing 132 kV and 11 kV networks in Malé and Hulhumalé were modelled in detail in DIgSILENT PowerFactory software to obtain fault levels at each ring main unit. Using simulated fault levels and other information, relay settings were calculated for the sectionalizing points proposed by STELCO. A capacity building program on power systems modelling was carried out for STELCO engineers covering introduction to network planning and planning software, steady-state analysis, contingency analysis, short-circuit criteria analysis, and frequency stability analysis.

The PUCSL appointed RMA to conduct a study to determine technical and economic impacts of integration of rooftop solar PV into distribution and transmission networks of Sri Lanka, estimate the short term and long term economic impact to Sri Lanka with different levels of rooftop solar PV integration, recommend how to minimise if any negative economic impacts due to integration of rooftop solar PV in large scale, and direct relevant authorities to establish suitable processes and introduce regulatory tools to optimise integration of rooftop solar PV in the country.

Iluka Lanka Resources Ltd. (Iluka) is studying the infrastructure requirements for development of the Puttalam Quarry deposit to facilitate extraction of Ilmenite. The high voltage infrastructure including power supply source and the interconnection facilities is a key element of this project.

RMA conducted a pre feasibility for Iluka to assess the technical and financial feasibility of available grid connection options as well as alternative electricity supply options including relevant regulatory provisions for investment sharing and licensing. The conceptual design including detailed cost estimates were provided for the selected grid connection option.

MAS Fabric Park, located in Thulhiriya, is the first privately owned apparel intensive free trade zone in Sri Lanka. Trischel Fabrics (Trischel) and TextPrint Lanka (Pvt) Ltd (TextPrint), two major factories of MAS Holdings located in the Fabric Park employed RMA to carry out an Energy Audit in order to investigate further energy efficiency improvement opportunities in the two factories. In this energy audit, RMA identified possible heat recovery options which are financially viable.

RMA provided the consultancy service of a distribution expert to the Asian Development Bank to support Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board in the implementation of roadmap of the Power System Expansion and Efficiency Improvement Project related to Distribution system upgrade, rehabilitation, extension and rural electrification. Reviewing of, master plan development process, preparatory activity for feeder level loss studies and reliability calculations and, requirement of manpower and equipment for development of improved Geographic Information System was carried out.

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Vietnam is planning to build 1000 MW of wind power capacity by year 2020. The country requires a detailed study on (i) evaluation of technical impacts on the grid, (ii) technical standards for the interconnection, and (iii) the integration of wind power into the emerging competitive market. RMA was selected through a competitive process to conduct study (ii) and to develop a detailed review of (i) analysis tools and sample analyses on impacts of wind power on grids, and to develop case studies to understand how wind power may be included in the competitive pricing of electricity. Fielding a team of three experts, and two supporting experts, RMA conducted a comprehensive study of the Vietnam’s technical standards for grid operations, and developed the draft technical standards. Based on the findings of a well attended workshop, RMA completed the technical standards, and also developed a detailed manual to be used both by the utility (EVN) and the prospective private sector developers.

The Asian Development Bank appointed RMA in December 2011 to assess the wind and solar potential and to map the resource in the north western and southern areas of Sri Lanka by way of on-site measurements and comprehensive mapping of the resource. This 18-month study will develop investment-quality wind resource data to be used for the next phase of wind power development in Sri Lanka, that will most likely develop 100 MW of wind capacity between 2014-2020. The solar resource assessment study being conducted by RMA would establish investment grade information on the resource, which would be used by the Government and the private sector to develop power generation facilities in the future. RMA’s sub-consultant for this study is Geonet of Germany.

Working together with MECADOS Energy Markets, RMA provides technical and regulatory support to establish new rules and regulations, to streamline the licensing of electricity system operators, authorized persons to design and implement electricity distribution systems, labeling of appliances for energy efficiency, and to develop a system of evaluation for proposals from private entities to generate electricity in various islands.