Issue 44 - System Operator Newsletter

Under Frequency Management Project (UFM)

The purpose of the UFM review is to propose strategies and measures that offer a more reliable, secure, and cost effective under frequency management system in order to provide greater certainty on system integrity during major under-frequency events, and to operate an efficient market.

The UFM review to date has identified that there are significant benefits to be gained by improving the existing AUFLS scheme and making changes to the reserves market that further enhance and secure New Zealand’s power supply.

The AUFLS review includes the refining of technical options and the cost benefit analysis of these options, along with a high level overview of implementation and market options. The instantaneous reserves review puts forward the technical results from the investigation into the improving the performance of the reserve management tool, other improvements available for frequency management, and compliance changes. The reports from the UFM review will be published prior to the seminars. 

It is important that the findings from the UFM review are well understood and discussed by the industry.  Accordingly, the System Operator is running a number of seminars that are designed to inform participants about the key findings from the UFM Review, and to discuss the options and opportunities for any changes with the industry. The seminars will be held at the following locations:

• Auckland at the Novotel Ellerslie on the 8 August
• Wellington at the James Cook Hotel on the 10 August
• Christchurch at the Transpower Field Office on the 12 August

HVDC Pole 3 Update

In  May, it was  advised that completion of commissioning of the new Pole 3 was likely to be delayed until late in 2012.  The delay is due to delays in the supply and testing in Germany by Siemens of the Pole 3 control system.

A revised programme for delivery of the HVDC Pole 3 project has now been agreed with Siemens and it is anticipated that Pole 3 will be available for commercial operation from December 24, 2012.

To allow the completion of the HVDC Pole 3 project in December 2012 it will be necessary to cease operation of Pole 1 in early July 2012 .

The Grid Owner has reviewed the condition of Pole 1 and confirms that it will continue to be available until then.  Based on this review, there will be a slight increase in the allowable number of starts and operating hours. 

Pole 3 is a $672 million project being constructed to upgrade the High Voltage Direct Current Link, HVDC, between the North and South islands, connecting Benmore substation in the South Island and Haywards substation in the North Island. The HVDC link consists of 571 km of transmission lines and 40 km of submarine cables that make up two separate circuits with major converter systems at each end. The new Pole 3 will replace the 45 year old Pole 1 equipment at both substations with state of the art thyristor valve units.