Challenges in maintaining a Grid comprising of 100% Gas based Generation

This paper emphasizes on operational issues and challenges in maintaining a grid comprising of 100% gas based thermal generation. The isolated operation of gas grid in Tripura Zone is described in brief along with detailed explanation of issues faced in operation of gas based generating stations in Tripura zone. Challenges faced by the system operator in maintaining reliability and security of electrical grid of Tripura Zone are also presented in this paper. These challenges are faced due to weak connectivity of Tripura grid to rest of the Indian grid. Palatana gas based generating station is the major source of both active and reactive power for Tripura grid. Disturbances in power availability due to outage of elements related to Palatana generation and its evacuation is articulated and discussed. Case studies of events along with description and analysis is presented in the paper for practical understanding of the difficulties faced by the system operators. Defense mechanisms in the form of various System Protection Schemes (SPS) designed and implemented to resolve the issues faced by system operators are explained in the paper. Upcoming gas pipelines which are being constructed to form a North- Eastern gas grid and further for connecting this North Eastern gas grid with Indian national gas grid is described in this paper.