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Why make interconnections? 

Reliability and Economy are the main reasons for interconnecting power systems 

Reliability implies that with a large interconnected grid, the loss of a system component like a major transmission line or generator will have minor impact on system. When one device fails, another one makes up for the loss. In a practical grid, there exists more than one path connecting a load to each generator. Thus the loss of one transmission line or tripping of one generator does not usually interrupt power to a load.

Economy implies that electricity can be obtained from where it is cheap. It is more economical to operate large generators 24 hours a day at full capacity (base load stations), catering not to a particular load, but pooling power into the grid and to be used by many connected loads. A few generators which can be started almost instantaneously can then act as reserves to cater to sudden increases in load (peak load stations). Generally steam stations are run as base load stations while reservoir based hydro-stations and gas stations act as peak load stations. The possibility of sharing reserves in interconnected systems also results in smaller reserve requirements. Different regions in a grid may face peak demand at different times of the day. Therefore the total system peak demand is smaller than the sum of the individual peaks of various regions.

However, extensive interconnections also mean that a disturbance in one part of the system may quickly spread to the entire system, leading to tripping of loads/generators, and may even make interconnected system operation unviable. For example, some large disturbances may make it impossible for generators to run in synchronism. In case interconnected system operation becomes unviable, the system must "gracefully" split into smaller systems (islands). However, if the control and protection systems are inadequate to face this eventuality, a complete blackout may also occur, leading to loss of service to millions of consumers.

However, grid failures are rare ("the lights are always on") and one may justifiably ask a question : how does the whole system work so well? After all, for well designed power systems, power is available on demand and can be obtained by simply "paralleling" the load on the grid. Similarly, a synchronous machine driven by a prime-mover can be synchronised with a grid and may supply power to it. Of course, all this is subject to certain constraints which we shall study in the next module.

A great deal of prior planning and control during operation is required to make an inter-connected network capable of catering to a certain level of power flow and prevent blackouts.

Example of a large power system 

Western Region of the WR-ER-NER Synchronous Grid: A description 
This region has the largest inter-connected network in the country, comprising the states of Chattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, besides Union territories of Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. In 2002, the installed capacity was 31.5 GW with 13.8% hydro, 66% thermal- coal, 15.9% gas/liquid fuel, 2.4% nuclear and wind 1.9%.

Generation 
The western region has major generating stations of Korba TPS (Thermal Power Station)-2100 MW, Vindyachal TPS–2260 MW, Korba (West) –840 MW, Korba (East) –400 MW, Sanjay Gandhi TPS –820 MW, Chandrapur TPS –2340 MW, Amarkantak TPS –300 MW etc., located in the eastern part of the region.

The major hydro stations in the region are at Koyna –1960 MW, Bansagar –315 MW, Ukai –300 MW, Tata –444 MW. The western part of the grid has thermal generating stations of Trombay –1330 MW, Wanakbori –1470 MW, Ukai –850 MW, Nasik –910 MW, and nuclear generating units at Tarapur –320 MW and Kakrapur –440 MW.

The major load centers in the region are located at the western part of the region and bulk of the power flow is from eastern to western part of the region.

Bulk (EHV) Transmission 

The 400 kV system consists of three main corridors.

The upper corridor links Vindyachal TPS-Itarsi via Satna-Bina-Bhopal. The second evacuation corridor is from Korba TPSBhilai/Raipur and bifurcates thereafter into middle and lower (third) corridors.

The middle corridor links Bhilai-Koradi-Bhusawal-Bableshwar-Padghe-Kalwa.

The lower (third) corridor consists of Raipur-Chandrapur-Parli-Karad-Lonikhand and Kalwa/Padghe linked together.

The upper and middle corridor are interlinked by 400 kV Itarsi-Satpura-Bhilai, Itarsi-Dhule links and also Vindyachal TPSKorba TPS links. Further North MP loads are fed on 400 kV Vindyachal-Satna-Bina links and 400 kV Itarsi-Bhopal-Bina links. The generation of Koyna stage IV is connected to Karad and Lonikhand by 400 kV lines.

Another important bulk transmission corridor in the region is ± 500 kV, 1500 MW HVDC from Chandrapur-Padghe. The Western region is connected to southern region and northern region through DC systems (asynchronous links) at Bhadrawati (1000 MW) and Vindyachal (500 MW) respectively. Note that the operating frequency of the northern and southern grids need not be the same as the western region.

The western regional grid operates in synchronism with the eastern grid and is interconnected to it by 400 kV lines between Raipur and Rourkela.
Why Make Interconnections? | Power Systems - Electrical Engineering (EE)

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FAQs on Why Make Interconnections? - Power Systems - Electrical Engineering (EE)

1. Why are interconnections important in electrical engineering?
Ans. Interconnections play a crucial role in electrical engineering as they allow for the transfer of electrical signals and power between different components and systems. They enable the integration and operation of various electronic devices, ensuring seamless communication and functionality.
2. What are the main reasons for making interconnections in electrical engineering?
Ans. The main reasons for making interconnections in electrical engineering are: 1. Signal transmission: Interconnections enable the transfer of electrical signals between different components, allowing for communication and data transfer in electronic systems. 2. Power distribution: Interconnections facilitate the distribution of electrical power from a source to various devices and circuits, ensuring their proper functioning. 3. System integration: Interconnections provide a means to connect different components, subsystems, or devices together, creating a unified system that can perform complex tasks. 4. Fault detection and troubleshooting: Interconnections enable the monitoring of electrical signals and can help identify faults or issues within a system, allowing for effective troubleshooting and maintenance. 5. Scalability and flexibility: Interconnections allow for the expansion and modification of electrical systems, enabling the addition of new components or the reconfiguration of existing ones to meet changing requirements.
3. What are the different types of interconnections used in electrical engineering?
Ans. There are several types of interconnections used in electrical engineering, including: 1. Wired connections: These involve physical wires or cables that transmit electrical signals or power between components. Examples include Ethernet cables, USB cables, and power cords. 2. Printed circuit board (PCB) traces: PCBs have conductive traces that serve as interconnections between various electronic components mounted on the board. 3. Wireless connections: These utilize wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or radio frequency (RF) to transmit signals or power without the need for physical wires. 4. Optical fibers: Optical fibers use light signals to transmit data over long distances. They find applications in telecommunications and high-speed data transmission. 5. Bus systems: Bus systems provide a common pathway for multiple devices to communicate with each other. Examples include the Universal Serial Bus (USB) and the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI).
4. What challenges are associated with interconnections in electrical engineering?
Ans. Some challenges associated with interconnections in electrical engineering include: 1. Signal degradation: Interconnections can introduce noise and signal loss, especially over long distances or in high-frequency applications, leading to degraded signal quality. 2. Crosstalk: Crosstalk refers to the interference between adjacent interconnections, resulting in signal distortion and reduced performance. Proper shielding and design techniques are required to minimize crosstalk. 3. Impedance matching: Interconnections need to have proper impedance matching to ensure efficient signal transmission and minimize reflections that can degrade the signal quality. 4. Power loss: Interconnections can lead to power loss due to resistance and other factors, affecting the overall efficiency of the system. Careful design and selection of interconnection materials are necessary to mitigate power losses. 5. Thermal issues: Interconnections can generate heat, especially in high-power applications, and inadequate thermal management can result in overheating and reliability issues. Proper heat dissipation techniques are essential to ensure system reliability.
5. How can interconnections be optimized in electrical engineering?
Ans. Interconnections can be optimized in electrical engineering through various strategies, including: 1. Proper design: Careful consideration of interconnection length, width, and materials can minimize signal degradation, crosstalk, and power loss. Design guidelines and simulation tools can aid in optimizing interconnection layouts. 2. Signal integrity analysis: Conducting thorough signal integrity analysis helps identify potential issues and enables adjustments in interconnection design to ensure signal integrity and minimize reflections or noise. 3. Impedance control: Maintaining proper impedance matching throughout the interconnections reduces signal distortion and reflections, enhancing overall system performance. 4. Grounding and shielding: Implementing effective grounding techniques and proper shielding can minimize electromagnetic interference (EMI) and crosstalk, improving signal quality and system reliability. 5. Thermal management: Adequate heat dissipation techniques such as heat sinks, thermal vias, and proper airflow help manage the heat generated by interconnections, preventing overheating and ensuring long-term reliability.
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