The Minister of Energy revealed in Parliament today (21) that several short-term and long-term steps
have been taken to maintain the stability of the national power system, in response to a question
raised by Member of Parliament Mr. Kavinda Jayawardena.
The short-term and long-term steps are as follows.
Short-term Steps
Updating inverter parameters in rooftop solar PV systems to maintain their stability during
sudden fluctuations in the national power system.
Introducing technical and regulatory steps to encourage on-site/on-premises energy generation
and consumption in response to grid stability related issues instead of solely supplying the
energy generated by rooftop solar PV systems to the grid.
Operating hydro and thermal power plants in synchronous condenser mode whenever
possible.
Since it is very difficult to maintain system stability during the daytime with high sunlight, on
holidays with low demand, such as Sundays;
Maintaining the stability of the national power system by controlling/limiting the
supply from solar and wind power plants, currently managed by the System Control
Center, based on the requirement of the national electricity system.
Requesting the power plants [Generators connected to the distribution network
(Embedded Generators)] that are not controlled by the System Control Center to stop
generation. System Control Center, through the Distribution Control Centers and
regional electrical engineers, request that generators connected to the distribution
network to stop generating and most owners comply, except for a few.
Renewable power plants are to be integrated to the national power system and a Time-Based
Tariff has been formulated and implemented to integrate Battery Energy Storage Systems
(BESS) in support of national power system stability following approval from the Cabinet of
Ministers.
Arrangements have been made thorough the Power Purchase Agreements to take legal and
technical actions that are required to control all wind and solar power plants to be connected
to the national power system in the future under the System Control Center.
Analyzing and updating of existing technical parameters [e.g. Spinning Reserve requirement,
Under Frequency Load Shedding (UFLS)] is currently underway in order to maintain the
stability of the national power system during unstable conditions.
Implementing a technical procedure to ensure safe shutdown of the Lakvijaya Power Plant.
Long-term Steps
Two main sites have been identified for the construction of the Pump Storage Power Plant,
out of which Maha Oya has been selected as the most suitable location and a detailed
feasibility study has been conducted, and arrangements have been made to prepare a detailed
estimate, allocate the required lands, etc.
Large-scale battery power plants with capacities of 100MW and 160 MW are scheduled to be
constructed and integrated to the national power system by 2026 and 2027. Tenders have been
floated for 160 MW capacity, and it is anticipated to invite tenders for the 100 MW power
plant in the future utilizing funds from the Asian Development Bank.
The preparation of Tender documents are underway to invite tenders for the installation of a
Renewable Energy Control Unit to forecast renewable energy sources and control those power
plant systems through control centers using funds from the Asian Development Bank.
It has been planned to integrate electronic devices (eg: STATCOM, synchronous Condenser)
that are used for the purpose of maintaining the stability of the transmission system in the
future.
Arrangements are underway to integrate flexible power plants with inertia into the national
power system to help maintain the grid stability as the national power system absorbs more
renewable energy.
Introduction of necessary additional smart meters functions that enable remote monitoring and
emergency disconnection.
The Distribution Control Center project has been commenced to ensure real-time monitoring
(visibility) and controllability of Non-Conventional Renewable Energy either through
manufacturers' inverters or by installing SIM card-equipped modems.