Digital transformation "keeps load" on the grid during peak season

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - The intense hot season lasting from May to August every year has been pushing the demand for electricity consumption in the North to record levels, putting the power grid system in front of significant challenges of overload, risk of incidents and supply interruptions. Power transmission and distribution units in Thanh Hoa have been proactively promoting digital transformation, applying a series of advanced technologies in management and operation to maintain safe and continuous power flow.

Monitoring transmission parameters at Thanh Hoa 500kV Transformer Station.

Thanh Hoa Power Transmission Team currently manages 2 500kV transformer stations, 5 220kV stations and more than 1,100km of 220-500kV lines. All stations are covered by wi-fi, synchronized with smart devices, allowing remote monitoring and control. With the power line system, the unit uses flycams with thermal sensors to check the status of high-altitude equipment, helping to detect abnormalities early, reduce the risk of incidents and ensure labor safety.

“The application of digital technology has helped simplify the operating process, improve labor productivity, and significantly reduce direct human resources at the station. Currently, each 220kV station has only about 5 operators, instead of 12 people as before thanks to the conversion to automatic transformer station mode. In particular, the integration of equipment management and work management software has improved efficiency and accuracy in technical work,” said Pham Ngoc Thang, Deputy Head of Thanh Hoa Power Transmission Team.

A typical example is the Thanh Hoa 500kV Transformer Station, which is one of the key nodes of the North-Central transmission grid and is considered a model station of the 500kV station system nationwide. The station is equipped with many advanced technological devices such as battery monitoring system, grounding monitoring, oil and temperature monitoring, using infrared cameras to monitor the operating status of the equipment. All are digitized, helping operators monitor parameters accurately and detect potential problems early. With the oil monitoring system

online, oil quality indicators are continuously monitored, employees do not need to go directly to the field to check manually as before. Thanks to that, the contact time of employees with electrical equipment is significantly reduced, while improving safety and reducing risks and toxicity during shifts.

At the 220kV Ba Che Substation, the remote operation model will be applied from the end of 2023, helping to optimize remote monitoring and control. All devices are attached with QR codes for operators to scan with tablets or smartphones, data is automatically updated to the management software for operation, helping to minimize errors and completely eliminate manual recording.

Mr. Trinh Khac Hung, an operator, shared: “Thanks to the application of digital technology, controlling equipment becomes easier and saves more time. Data is updated continuously, more effective for remote operation models; at the same time, reducing a lot of paperwork and limiting errors.”

Thanh Hoa 500kV Substation staff monitor equipment reliability on mobile application.

At the sub-100kV grid level, Thanh Hoa Electricity Company has also promoted the application of digital technology in management and operation. SCADA systems, remote control, unmanned transformer stations and hotline hot repair technology have been deployed synchronously. The telecommunications infrastructure has been strongly upgraded with more than 1,969km of fiber optic cable connecting stations and distribution points, along with the application of technical management software via PMIS, GIS, helping to integrate historical data and CBM warnings (maintenance method based on the condition of the equipment, also known as predictive maintenance). In particular, hotline technology helps the unit handle incidents on the 22kV grid without power outages, ensuring continuous power supply during the hot season. In addition, the use of drones, smart cameras and AI algorithms in inspection, maintenance and detection of violations of the grid corridor has helped improve productivity and reduce the risk of work accidents. Remote electronic meters allow customers to monitor daily consumption, making electricity bills transparent and contributing to saving management resources.

“In the coming time, the unit will continue to improve the smart grid system with automatic switching and troubleshooting features, promote research on AI and IoT applications in load analysis and incident forecasting, aiming to build a comprehensive digital ecosystem in production and business activities,” said Hoang Duc Hau, Deputy Director of Thanh Hoa Electricity Company.

According to data from the Thanh Hoa Power Transmission Team, the electricity output transmitted through the system in 6 months reached 29.07 billion kWh, of which the output distributed to Thanh Hoa Power Company was 3.91 billion kWh. In June alone, Thanh Hoa's commercial electricity output reached 866.179 million kWh, up 15.1% over the same period, with peak capacity reaching 1,597.5 MW - the highest level ever in the province. At the same time, the Northern power system also recorded a record consumption level with a maximum capacity of 26,998 MW on July 18, up 5.7% over the same period. In the context of continuous peak electricity demand, promoting the application of technology and digital transformation in system management and operation has helped the Thanh Hoa power sector not only ensure stable and continuous electricity supply in the area, but also contribute significantly to maintaining the transmission circuit for the entire Northern region.

Article and photos: Tung Lam

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/chuyen-doi-so-giu-tai-luoi-dien-mua-cao-diem-255785.htm