Issue 39 - System Operator Newsletter

Issue 39: 09 August 2010

Ancillary Service Provisions

We are currently tendering for the provision of:

Over frequency reserve (OFR) in the North Island
Zone 1 Dynamic Voltage Support

This tender is being conducted prior to our usual tendering round as the Grid Owner has requested outages (planned to take place over the next 3-4 months) on the circuits supplying the Upper North Island that would leave a single circuit as the only remaining supply to Northland. Analysis by the System Operator indicates that if the remaining circuit were to trip, the frequency in the North Island could rise to 52.04 Hz, thereby resulting in an over frequency event in the North Island.

In addition, we are inviting tenders for voltage support now in order to give parties sufficient lead time for planning purposes, in advance of one of the current provider's contracts expiring on 30 November 2010.

The closing time for tenders is:

Over frequency reserve: 5.00pm on Tuesday 31 August 2010.
Voltage support: 5.00pm on Friday 24th September 2010.

If you would like a copy of the tender documents or you have any other questions regarding the tender process, please contact Leigh Westley by email or phone on 04 498 2618.

AUFLS Review Update

We have recently completed a technical review of the automatic under-frequency load shedding (AUFLS) system. The report has identified that there are significant benefits to be had by improving the existing AUFLS scheme and considering changes to the reserves market to further enhance and secure New Zealand's power supply. However, discussion around these improvements must involve the industry and be balanced against the costs and risk to the industry and New Zealand consumers.

We are running seminars that are designed to inform participants about the key findings from the AUFLS Technical Report and to discuss the options and opportunities with the industry. The AUFLS Technical Report will be released to participants on 16 August 2010. The report will also be available to download from the System Operator website at AUFLS Review page.

We strongly recommend that representatives from distribution networks, energy retailers, direct consumers, demand side participants and other end-users attend this seminar. We also encourage generation companies and others with an interest in the wider electricity sector to attend.

The format for the day will be a half day session with lunch provided afterwards should you choose to stay for this. We would appreciate it if you could bring this seminar to the attention of other people in your organisation who may also wish to attend.

Seminar Dates:

Auckland: Monday 30th August- Novotel Ellerslie, 72-112 Greenlane East
Christchurch: Tuesday 31st August- Holiday Inn City Centre, 172 Cashel Street
Wellington: Friday 3rd September- James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor, 147 The Terrace

The registration form is available on our webite in the Consultation/Workshop area.

More information on the AUFLS review can be found on our website. Comments or enquiries can be sent to system.operator@transpower.co.nz or directly to Natalie Bartos.