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Citation Codes
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Judges
  • Gireesh B. Pradhan
  • Chairperson
  • A.K Singhal, Member
  • A.S Bakshi, Member
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Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Case Number
Judges
  • Gireesh B. Pradhan
  • Chairperson
  • A.K Singhal, Member
  • A.S Bakshi, Member
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Smart Summary

Structured Summary of the Provided Opinion

Factual and Procedural Background

The Central Advisory Committee (CAC) decided on 12.05.2014 to constitute a sub-committee to examine issues connected with congestion in transmission. The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) constituted the Sub-Committee on Congestion in Transmission by letter dated 11.07.2014 and listed its members and special invitees. The Sub-Committee submitted its report on congestion in transmission on 08.06.2015 (the report is noted as available on the CERC website). The Commission considered the Sub-Committee's report and accepted its recommendations. The opinion sets out the recommended measures and prescribes, for each concerned agency, the actions to be taken along with timelines. Finally, the Commission directed that the noted organizations/entities submit quarterly action taken reports to the Commission within 15 days from the end of the relevant quarter.

Legal Issues Presented

The opinion addresses a procedural matter and does not frame distinct legal issues.

Arguments of the Parties

The opinion does not contain a detailed account of the parties' legal arguments.

Table of Precedents Cited

No precedents were cited in the provided opinion.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The document records the Commission's administrative consideration and acceptance of a technical report produced by the Sub-Committee on Congestion in Transmission. The analytical steps apparent in the text are:

  1. The Commission recorded formation of the Sub-Committee and its membership to examine congestion in transmission.
  2. The Sub-Committee submitted a report (dated 08.06.2015) containing recommendations directed at multiple agencies involved in transmission planning, operation and regulation.
  3. The Commission considered the Sub-Committee's report and accepted its recommendations. The opinion then translates the accepted recommendations into specific actions assigned to named agencies (POSOCO, CTU, CEA, POWERGRID/PGCIL, Member Secretary of RPCs, and the Secretary of the Forum of Regulators) with stated timelines for completion of each action item where the report provided such timelines.
  4. The Commission imposed an ongoing administrative compliance mechanism: all listed organizations/entities are to submit quarterly action taken reports to the Commission within 15 days from the end of the quarter to which each report pertains.

The text is administrative in nature and records directive-style implementation steps rather than adjudicative legal reasoning rooted in legal principles or precedent.

Holding and Implications

Holding: The Commission accepted the Sub-Committee's report on Congestion in Transmission and directed the specified agencies to implement the report's recommendations in a time-bound manner.

Direct Consequences for the Parties

  • POSOCO, CTU, CEA, POWERGRID (PGCIL), Member Secretary of RPCs and the Secretary of the Forum of Regulators were assigned specific tasks described in the report (for example: development of islanding schemes, identification of balancing capacity for renewables, creation of a Task Force to identify transmission capacity enhancements, revisiting ATC/TTC methodology, use of dynamic line rating, installation of SPS, use of FACTS controllers, probabilistic load forecasts, and others).
  • Timelines were specified for many actions (examples in text include 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, or within two months for particular tasks). The text identifies the timeline applicable to each listed action where provided.
  • All listed organizations/entities must submit quarterly "action taken reports" to the Commission within 15 days from the end of the quarter to which the report pertains, establishing an ongoing monitoring and compliance process.

Broader Implications

The opinion records administrative and technical directives to improve transmission congestion management and monitoring in the power sector. The document does not state that a new legal precedent was being set or discuss broader jurisprudential implications; its effect is operational and directive for the named agencies.

Annex — Agencies and Key Assigned Actions (as recorded in the opinion)

Note: The following list reproduces, in condensed form, the agencies named in the opinion and representative actions assigned to them with timelines when provided. This annex is descriptive of the opinion's content and does not add or infer any additional duties beyond what is explicitly stated in the provided text.

  • POSOCO: guidance to State utilities; identify balancing capacity for renewables (within 3 months); create Task Force with CEA/CTU (within 6 months of the report); prepare islanding schemes for major cities (within 6 months); revisit ATC/TTC computation (within 3 months of receipt of consultant report); develop interface between SCADA and PSSE; consider loop/transit/counter flows in TTC/ATC; install SPS within 3 months and include in ATC; commence dynamic line rating within 1 month of equipment-owner confirmation; improve transparency and develop common electronic platform (within 3 months).
  • CTU: consider probabilistic load forecasts and MILP tools; guidance to State utilities; constitute group to monitor project implementation (meet every 6 months); create Task Force with CEA/POSOCO (within 6 months); coordinate intra-state transmission development and submit quarterly augmentation reports to CERC; support long-term planning for renewables and seek financial support mechanisms; sample audit of relays/protection within 1 year and impose fines for non-adherence; use controlling devices and install dynamic reactive compensation devices; revisit ATC/TTC methodology and publish long-term study results on website.
  • CEA: consider probabilistic load forecasts and MILP tools; guidance to State utilities; create Task Force with CTU/POSOCO (within 6 months); initiate training and standards process for Protection and Communication System standards (within two months); revisit ATC/TTC computation on receipt of consultant report (within 3 months); have NRCE examine TRM calculation alternatives in consultation with POSOCO/CTU (within 3 months).
  • POWERGRID (PGCIL): conduct comprehensive study with CEA and NLDC for siting and sizing of Phase Shift Transformer (PST).
  • Member Secretary (RPCs): Protection Sub-committee to create a protocol for checking protection settings, healthiness, and periodicity of checks.
  • Secretary, Forum of Regulators: Ensure TTC/ATC be declared by STUs for state network in planning and operating horizons and mandate operational feedback by SLDCs to STUs through appropriate regulations.

If any specific action item or timeline above is not listed in the original opinion, that item has been omitted here; the annex contains only items explicitly recorded in the provided text.

Show full summary ...

    Following Up Actions On The Recommendations Of Cac Sub-Committee On Congestion In Transmission

    1. The Central Advisory Committee (CAC) had in its meeting held on 12.5.2014 decided to constitute a sub-committee from amongst the Members of the CAC to examine issues connected with congestion in transmission. The Sub-Committee on Congestion in Transmission was constituted by CERC vide letter dated 11.7.2014, with the following:

    Members:

    1. Shri R.V Shahi, Former Secretary, Ministry of Power-Chairman

    2. Shri Ashok Khurana, Director General, Association of Power Producers

    3. Shri Hemant Sharma, CMD, GRIDCO

    4. Shri R.N Nayak, CMD, POWERGRID

    5. Shri Vijayanand, CMD, APTRANSCO

    6. Prof. S.C Srivastava, IIT Kanpur

    7. Shri Pankaj Batra, Chief Engineer (I/C)- FC&A, CEA

    8. Shri Ravinder Gupta, Director (SP & PA), CEA

    9. Shri A.K Saxena, Chief (Engg.), CERC-Convenor

    Special Invitees:

    1. Shri S.K Sonnee, CEO, POSOCO

    2. Prof. S.A Soman, IIT Bombay

    3. Shri A.M Khan, Member, MERC

    2. The Sub-Committee has submitted the report on Congestion in Transmission on 8.6.2015 which is available on website at http://www.cercind.gov.in/subcommittee.html

    3. The Sub-Committee has recommended measures to reduce congestion in transmission for which actions need to be taken by CEA, NRCE, CTU, POSOCO, POWERGRID, RPCs as well as CERC. The Commission has considered the report and accepted its recommendations.

    4. The recommendations of the Committee with regard to the actions to be taken by the various agencies alongwith the timelines as decided by the Commission for various action points are as under:-

    (A) Actions to be taken by POSOCO:

    (1) CTU, POSOCO, and CEA to provide regular guidance to the State Utilities and authorities, and more importantly devise a mechanism to monitor to ensure that the matching systems at State level are in place to coincide with the overall requirement as well as for the provisions related to SPS and dynamic control mechanism including SVCs, STATCOMs etc. in the State sector. (Para 2.4)

    (2) Fluctuating load/generation in renewable and its impact on transmission planning needs to be taken care. POSOCO to identify balancing capacity to manage the fluctuations. (Para 8.4.2). POSOCO to identify balancing capacity within 3 months of issue of the order.

    (3) CEA, CTU and POSOCO to create a Task Force to identify exhaustively all possible areas of transmission capacity enhancement in the existing systems within 6 months of issue of the report. This exercise should cover not only the Central transmission systems, but also the State level transmission and sub-transmission systems. (Para 2.4)

    (4) POSOCO should in coordination with and full support of concerned SLDCs and DISCOMs prepare islanding schemes for major cities and towns (considering the criticality) which will aim at matching the local supply with important and emergency loads. (Para 1.19.9). POSOCO to complete action in this regard within 6 months of issue of the order.

    (5) Revisiting the methodology for computation of ATC/TTC in the light of inputs from international consultant being engaged by CTU. (Para 2.1.5). POSOCO to complete action in this regard within 3 months from the date of receipt of report of consultant.

    (6) POSOCO to take steps to develop Interpreter as a suitable interface between SCADA and PSSE to enable revision of TTC in real-time and declaration of TTC/ATC on hourly/weekly/monthly basis as done by PJM. (Para 3.1.9)

    (7) Loop flows, transit flows and counter flows should be considered for TTC/ATC calculations as considered appropriate by POSOCO. Congestion in real time be handled in accordance with the provisions in CERC Congestion Regulations.

    (8) SPS planned needs to be installed within 3 months and the same be considered by POSOCO in calculation of ATC as deemed appropriate. (Para 3.2.1)

    (9) POSOCO to commence use of dynamic line rating within 1 month, after taking a confirmation from the equipment owner regarding the facility ratings. (Para 3.2.2)

    (10) POSOCO being the apex organisation in regard to system operation & market operation in the country would take steps to make the information governing market operation as transparent as possible. (Para 5.4)

    (11) There is a need for developing a common electronic platform with access to all market participants. Necessary protocols for information sharing and dissemination needs to be finalized by POSOCO in consultation with stakeholders. (Para 5.3). POSOCO to complete action in this regard within 3 months of issue of the order.

    (12) Requisite exposure in regards to calculation of TTC/ATC will be an added strength and exposure be provided to CTU, CEA and NLDC/RLDCs/SLDCs. (Para 3.1.7)

    (B) Actions to be taken by CTU:

    (1) Probabilistic load forecasts and Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) based optimisation tool need to be considered for network planning. CEA and CTU need to explore the use of aforementioned tools. NRCE may look into suitable timeframe for including probabilistic load forecasting. (Para 2.4.3)

    (2) CTU, POSOCO, and CEA to provide regular guidance to the State Utilities and authorities, and more importantly devise a mechanism to monitor to ensure that the matching systems at State level are in place to coincide with the overall requirement as well as for the provisions related to SPS and dynamic control mechanism including SVCs, STATCOMs etc. in the State sector. (Para 2.4)

    (3) CTU should constitute a group to provide first-hand information in regard to status of implementation of generation and transmission projects in the States and conduct meetings every 6 months to monitor gaps in execution and re-plan accordingly. (Para 2.4)

    (4) CEA, CTU and POSOCO to create a Task Force to identify exhaustively all possible areas of transmission capacity enhancement in the existing systems within 6 months of issue of the report. This exercise should cover not only the Central transmission systems, but also the State level transmission and sub-transmission systems. (Para 2.4)

    (5) There is need for co-ordination of development of intra-state transmission system by CTU. CTU to submit quarterly report on augmentation of transmission system in the Country to CERC. (Para 2.4.7)

    (6) In the context of a major shift in the Government's Policy for a quantum jump in developing renewable power generation systems, it would require short and medium term solutions, but more importantly, it needs a long term planning fully integrated with the future plans of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. In these cases, organizations like POWERGRID would need to be supported in view of the pattern of utilization of these transmission systems, by way of Viability Gap Funding/Power System Development Fund (PSDF) (Para xvii). Long term planning would require development of transmission systems in a manner that they are normally underutilized in the initial years but later utilized well. Here again commercial organizations would need to be financially supported through instruments like Viability Gap Funding/PSDF (Para 7.2). CTU needs to take-up appropriate steps in this regard.

    (7) Sample audit of relays/protection system to be undertaken by CTU for States within 1 year and heavy fine should be imposed for non-adherence to standards. Unallocated power may be suspended in such cases. (Para 1.18.5)

    (8) CTU to use controlling devices such as FACTS controllers and damping controllers. Expeditious installation of Dynamic reactive power compensation devices such as SVCs, STATCOMs already planned by CTU (22 nos.). (Para 3.2.6)

    (9) Revisiting the methodology for computation of ATC/TTC in the light of inputs from international consultant being engaged by CTU. (Para 2.1.5). CTU may accordingly keep NRCE posted with the inputs/recommendations of international consultant, within 15 days of submission of the report by consultant.

    (10) Keeping in view the necessity for transparency in declaration of TTC/ATC in planning horizon, the results of long term studies carried out by CTU should be made available on their website. (Para 2.2.3)

    (11) Requisite exposure in regards to calculation of TTC/ATC will be an added strength and exposure be provided to CTU, CEA and NLDC/RLDCs/SLDCs. (Para 3.1.7)

    (C) Actions to be taken by CEA:

    (1) Probabilistic load forecasts and Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) based optimisation tool need to be considered for network planning. CEA and CTU need to explore the use of aforementioned tools. NRCE may look into suitable timeframe for including probabilistic load forecasting. (Para 2.4.3)

    (2) CTU, POSOCO, and CEA to provide regular guidance to the State Utilities and authorities, and more importantly devise a mechanism to monitor to ensure that the matching systems at State level are in place to coincide with the overall requirement as well as for the provisions related to SPS and dynamic control mechanism including SVCs, STATCOMs etc. in the State sector. (Para 2.4)

    (3) CEA, CTU and POSOCO to create a Task Force to identify exhaustively all possible areas of transmission capacity enhancement in the existing systems within 6 months of issue of the report. This exercise should cover not only the Central transmission systems, but also the State level transmission and sub-transmission systems. (Para 2.4)

    (4) Reliability standards need to be planned for Indian Power System. To start with, NRCE may bring out Standards for “Protection System” and “Communication System”. (Para 6.3). CEA may within two months initiate process for training of standards.

    (5) Revisiting the methodology for computation of ATC/TTC in the light of inputs from international consultant being engaged by CTU. (Para 2.1.5). CEA may complete action in this regard within 3 months of receipt of the report of consultants to them.

    (6) NRCE in consultation with POSOCO and CTU may explore alternative methods of calculation of TRM as suggested and provide to Commission for its consideration. (Para 3.1.9). NRCE may complete action in this regard within 3 months of issue of the order.

    (7) Requisite exposure in regards to calculation of TTC/ATC will be an added strength and exposure be provided to CTU, CEA and NLDC/RLDCs/SLDCs. (Para 3.1.7)

    (D) Action to be taken by PGCIL:

    (1) POWERGRID may carry out a comprehensive study jointly with CEA and NLDC for siting and sizing of Phase Shift Transformer (PST). (Para 3.2.3)

    (E) Action to be taken by Member Secretary (RPCs):

    (1) Protection Sub-committee of RPC should bring out a protocol for checking the settings, ensuring healthiness of existing protection system and periodicity of carrying out this exercise. (Para 6.8)

    (F) Secretary, Forum of Regulators:

    “(1) TTC/ATC to be declared by STUs for state network in planning horizon as well as operating horizon (Para 5.3.2). Operational feedback by SLDCs to STUs be made mandatory through appropriate Regulations (Para 8.4.5).”

    5. All organizations/entities as noted above shall take necessary follow up actions in a time bound manner on the points shown under them and submit quarterly ‘action taken report’ to the Commission within 15 days from the end of the quarter to which the report pertains.

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    Following Up Actions On The Recommendations Of Cac Sub-Committee On Congestion In Transmission
    (Aug 5, 2015)