TO ENSURE the Luzon grid's efficiency and reliability in the event of major power outages, NGCP conducted its annual blackout simulation drill.
The blackout simulation drill is composed of two major activities – tabletop exercise and black-start recovery simulation drills.
Held last April 3, representatives from the Department of Energy, Grid Management Committee, Distribution Management Committee, Philippine Electricity Market Corporation, National Transmission Corporation, Meralco, and generation companies, together with NGCP’s System Operations (SO) group, participated in the tabletop exercise.
The activity aims to update key players of the power industry on transmission line and equipment developments, transmission outlook, and review contingency plans during critical incidents, including the contingency plan for the present dry season and in case of system security compromise. Other activities conducted were ancillary service updates focusing on black start services, which is implemented by starting individual power stations in each identified restoration area and gradually reconnecting those to integrate the system once again.
The Luzon black-start recovery simulation drill was conducted on the second week of April. Tabletop exercises and actual simulation will be separately conducted for the Visayas and Mindanao grids within the next month, focusing on mitigating scenarios particular to their areas.
“NGCP annually conducts these drills to ensure that the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids can mitigate any and all forms of system disturbances, and that our personnel are prepared to respond to any scenario. The participation of DOE, ERC, power generation companies, and other industry players will guarantee that in the event of a system outage, the contingency plan is effectively and efficiently carried out,” said NGCP president and chief executive officer Henry Sy, Jr.
NGCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. It transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines, towers, substations, and related assets.
NGCP’s regular maintenance activities, expansion, and upgrading projects aim to enhance the reliability and quality of electricity delivered to grid-connected customers like generators, distributors, and large industries. (PR)