Interconnection of electric power

systems in the Arab worl

Economic and technical considerations are usually the underlying factors for
interconnecting neighbouring electric power systems. Among some of the
benefits that may be realised are plant capacity savings, interchange due t o
diversity, emergency power interchange, spinning reserve savings. However,
planning of interconnections is a demanding task and must cover a wide
range of technical aspects. This article presents the advantages, requirt=merits
and problems arising from the interconnection of electric power systems in
the Arab world. It also presents the planning principles for grid system,
procedure for power system development planning, technical aspects of
interconnection, and possibilities of increasing interconnection capacity by
limited means. The results of studies investigating the feasibility of
interconnecting the power networks of the six countries which form the Gulf
Co-operation Council (GCC) are presented. The article also shows existing and
future interconnections of power systems in the Arab world.

by Emad S. lbrahim

Introduction economical, and may be summarised as

The interconnection of electric power has
been a well established practice since the
development of three-phase AC systems.
Many interconnections run across
international boundaries linking countries
w i t h varying political, social and economic
systems. The reasons for interconnection
are based o n economic, strategic and
technical considerations. Among the best
known interconnections are the Canada-US
Eastern interconnection, the Pacific West
interconnection and the Texas interconnection
in North America, the interconnection systems
of Western and Eastern Europe, and the
Japanese National Grid.’
In the Arab world, the interest in the
interconnection of electric power systems
started at the Tenth Engineering Conference
held at Al-Quds in 1966. In the Middle East,
several interconnections exist or are under
consideration. For example, the electric
networks of the eastern and the central
provinces of Saudi Arabia are interconnected.
The interconnection of the power systems of
Egypt and Jordan is in the implementation
stage. In addition, investigations have been
conducted t o study the feasibility of
interconnecting the power systems in the
Mashreq Arab countries and of
interconnecting Turkey t o the Northern Arab
States.
The reasons for the interconnection of
power systems are both technical and
POWER ENGINEERING JOURNAL JUNE 1996
fol 1ows:2,3,4
Systems when interconnected need less
installed generation plant t o achieve a
given level of security of supply than
would be required for separated systems.
Interconnections enable systems t o share
spinning reserve so that each system can
carry less spinning reserve than would be
required without interconnection.
Catastrophic multiple outages, such as
the simultaneous loss of several
generation units, can lead t o widespread
interruptions of supply and possibly t o
the total collapse of the power system.
Strong interconnections t o neighbouring
systems limit the effects of, ancl help
recovery from, such catastrophic events.
Interconnections enable interchange of
planned or incidental energy between
systems resulting in a lowering of the
total operating costs.
Interconnections also permit assistance
from neighbouring systems t o cope with
unforeseen construction delays and
unexpected load growth.
Quality of supply is improved by better
system frequency and voltage c m t r o l .
Planning principlesfor grid systems
The following fu nda menta I principles
guide the lanning of bulk transmission
networks:
P
121
1 Procedure for long-
range system
development planning
Q service level
, technological
innovation
i policy ------
I The power system must be planned and
constructed in such a way that there is
sufficient generation and transmission
capacity t o cover the load forecast.
2 The system must, without interruption
bf power supply t o the consumer, be
able t o withstand most of the faults that
may occur. Basically no single fault
contingencyshould cause loss of bulk
supply continuity.
3 The interconnected network must be
planned and operated in such a manner
that there are no oscillation phenomena
in the power system or thermal overload
of network components during normal
operation. Oscillations in connection
with faults must be sufficiently damped
and temporary permissible overloading
removed in time.
4 It is technically not possible t o construct a
power system with 100°/~reliability of
supply and a compromise between
security of service and cost of service
must be selected. Interruptions that
occur should, however, as far as possible
be limited in time and space, with help of
a suitable programme of action (load
shedding scheme etc.).
5 The network should, in general, enable
the most economic generation dispatch.
122
However, when out-of-merit operation
of generation may defer transmission
system reinforcement, this should be
considered if the overall system
economics favour it.
6 A flat voltage profile should be the
objective in planning the bulk
transmission network as well as a
minimum of reactive power transfer
between the bulk transmission and the
various subtransmission systems. The
overall grid system power factor should
be lagging.
Procedure for power system
development planning
The procedure adopted generally in
power system long-range planning is
shown in Fig. 1 . 6 The first step is t o
conduct an accurate demand forecast.
Secondly, several plans are carefully
developed for t h e generation, transmission
and distribution systems, and the system
operation facilities. These plans must meet
the reliability requirements, conform t o t h e
utility policy and guidelines, and must take
into account the existing system elements
and characteristics. Finally, a com pa rative
study is made o n these plans by
emphasising reliability and economic
POWER ENGINEERING JOURNAL JUNE 1996
efficiency, and the most appropriate plan is
selected based o n management policy and
available funds.’
Technical aspects of interconnection
Several studies are required t o assure the
technical viability of the system or systems
under consideration. These are load-flow
studies, reactive power and voltage control
requirements, short-circuit levels, stability,
insulation problems and others. The
techniques used t o conduct such studies are
well established. However, the interpretation
of the results and the relative importance of
each of these items have t o be weighted
properly.’
Transient a n d dynamic behaviour
The dynamic behaviour of internal systems
may change as they become interconnected.
Damping techniques may be used such as
the power system stabilisers. However,
reinforcing the tielines and internal systems
are basic means.
Frequency control a n d spinning reserve
The tripping of a unit in any subsystem will
affect frequency controlled reserves in any
part of the system. A few aspects are
important t o note:’
The tielines (and the internal system)
should be strong enough t o transfer the
extra transfers deriving from reserves in
one country, when a unit trips in another
cou nt ry .
0 Large units may be used in rather small
systems, as reserves may be used in other
parts.
In case of serious disturbances the tielines
may split. Thus an emergency plan should be
prepared t o maintain the systems in separate
operation, i n ~ l u d i n g : ~
0 local spinning reserves and load shedding
preparations of control centres and
generating units, including possibility t o
rapidly change the frequency control
strategy.
In case there are a number of tielines, the
remaining lines should be strong enough t o
keep the total system stable, in case one
tieline trips.
Load shedding
Load shedding based on local frequency
criteria is often used as a back-up system t o
prevent total blackout. In case t w o separate
systems become interconnected, the load
shedding has t w o purpose^:^
t o support the individual systems in case
tielines trip
t o support the total system in case there
are internal faults.
The latter purpose requires co-ordination
between the shedding schemes.
POWER ENGINEERING JOURNAL JUNE 1996
Generating plants
The generating plants in an interconnected
system have t o be designed with respect t o
certain specifications concerning sensitivity
t o frequency and voltage deviations, and
facilities to control active and reactive power.
For frequency requirements, as all units will
be affected by the same frequency drop at a
loss of generation, it is of the utmost
importance that the units fulfil certain
requirements with respect t o the frequency.
If not, the most sensitive units may trip
causing further frequency decay, thus
increasing the risk of cascade tripping and
blackout.
For voltage requirements, although the
voltage disturbances are more local, voltage
dips of certain levels and duration must not
cause tripping of the unit.
Hydro and thermal units should meet
certain standards of control facilities.
Network configuration and switchgear rating
The updating of the network configuration
may be carried out by load-flow calculations,
while the updating of the switchgear and
circuit breakers may be obtained using short-
circuit studies for the overall interconnected
system. The underrating of the circuit
breakers may be avoided by using either
busbar limiting reactors or feeder reactors.
However, the protective relay systern must be
updated as well as the regulator parameters
and configurations should match the new
conditions.’
Protective system
The protective system strategy is not
limited t o the tripping operation of an
overloaded transmission line or transformer.
It can go up t o the utilisation of reactive
power compensators in order t o reduce the
consumer voltages and therefore reduce the
main loads in the system. A decrease of the
busbar voltages by 5% will lead t o a
corresponding decrease in the load power of
10% which can greatly help the generating
stations and transmission links during peak
loads.7
Control systems7
When the generator is connected t o a
weak system, the automatic excitation
control has the object of controlling the
machine voltage, and the speed governor has
the object of controlling the machine speed
and participating in the control of the system
frequency.
If the generator is connected t o a strong
system the machine voltage and system
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 Table 1 Means t o increase the interconnection capacity
means
new ines
large conductors
higher voltage level
rapid relay protection
series capacitors
shunt capacitors/reactors (breaker switched)
shunt capacitors/reactors (thyristor controlled)
nchronous condensers
pplementary control of generators
frequency are almost constant and the main
object of the automatic excitation control is
t o control the reactive power fed by the
generator while the speed governor is t o
control the active power fed by the generator
t o the network.
As the system capacity increases, either by
installing new large generating stations or by
interconnection with another system, the
system may transfer from a weak t o a strong
one and the function as well as the
parameters of the control systems must be
u pda ted .
The updating of the control systems could
also be done by the addition of new control
systems such as:
secondary control systems for load
frequency control (SCSLFC)
economic dispatching centre (EDC)
co-ordination between SCSLFC and EDC
optimisation of both location and values
of static VAR compensator for the
interconnected network
replacing of old control equipment by
new, such as static excitation, hybrid
control system or digital control systems
DC interconnection
DC is the only alternative for
interconnecting power systems operating a t
different frequencies, e.g. 50 and 60 Hz.
Long cable links can be built for DC
transmission, since the capacitance does not
need t o be taken into account. In fact, in
some cases DC will be the only feasible
solution.
The fast-acting power control of DC links
gives a number of possibilities:’
0 improved transient stability limits of
subsystems
0 stabilising of power oscillations giving
improved transfer capacity when
damping is a limiting factor
emergency power assistance from one
subsystem to the other.
It is important t o mention here that DC links
provide superior performance in limiting the
spread of system disturbances and in limiting
the contribution t o the fault current between
interconnected systems. However, the DC
124
*
links have higher risks of insulation flashover,
and can be more expensive than an AC
system with the same ratings.’
Increasing interconnection capacity by
limited means5
Normally the transmission capacity of a
line is defined by i t s thermal limit. For a line
interconnecting t w o systems, stability may be
the limiting factor as well.
Stability as limiting factor
Every perturbation during normal
operation, i.e. load change, generation
change, line tripping or line fault, is followed
by an oscillatory transient. In an
interconnected system, the severity of these
oscillations increases when the
interconnection length or the power
transmitted increases.
The stability problem can be divided into
the following aspects. Stable operation is
obtained if all of these are managed:
0 first swing stability and damping of large
oscillations, i.e. transient stability
0 damping of small oscillations, i.e. dynamic
stability
0 frequency control
0 voltage collapse.
Means of in creasing interconnecting capacity
A number of means t o increase the existing
or planned transfer capacity between systems
are listed in Table 1 .
The factors which should be evaluated
during the selection between different means
a re:
0 the increase of transfer capacity
costs and benefits taking into account
also operational costs and losses
reliability.
New lines normally mean high cost but at the
same time it improves the reliability. Also
using higher voltage is expensive but it
usually decreases losses.
Series capacitors decrease the electrical
length between subsystems. Their benefit is
that they increase the reactive power when
the power transmitted increases.
The idea of shunt compensation is t o
POWER ENGINEERING JOURNAL JUNE 1996
maintain constant voltage in the system. Table 2 Demand forecast for GCC network
Breaker-switched compensators are used t o (MW)
take care of the excess or shortage of reactive
power during normal operation. utility year
Static, thyristor-controlled compensators
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
are used for fast control of reactive power. By
this fast control the system damping can be
improved. In this case control is based on the
speed of voltage variation or in practice on
signals from active power. The drawbacks of
static compensators compared with breaker
switched compensation are higher price,
need for more maintenance and bigger
losses. On the other hand, compensators can
be com pa red with synchronous
compensators. In this comparison, static The adopted interconnection concept and tie
systems are faster in control and they are capacities for the GCC countries are shown in
cheaper. Fig. 2. In this interconnection, the 510Hz
Damping can also be improved with a systems of Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar ;lnd UAE
power system stabiliser, to control generator are interconnected by a double-circuit 400
voltage and further the electrical output kV backbone extending from Kuwait t o the
according t o the oscillations. The advantage UAE. Oman power system is connected t o
of stabilisers is that almost all modern UAE system by a 275 kV double-circuit line.
exciters already include the electronics The 60 Hz SCECO East system is
needed or it can be easily installed and, interconnected t o the 50 Hz backbone by a
consequently, the extra cost is mini mal. 1800 M W back-to-back link. Bahrain and
Qatar are connected t o this backbone via
GCC interconnected systems4 220 kV circuits.
Studies to investigate the feasibility of
interconnecting the power networks of the Requirements and problems of
six countries which form the Gulf Co- interconnection
operation Council (GCC), Bahrain, Kuwait, Requirements and problems of
Qatar, Saudi Arabia (SCECO East), Oman and interconnection can be classified in to four
the UAE have been completed.8~9~10 Plans categories:”
exist for the implementation of such an
interconnect ion. I Capital a n d international financing
Table 2 shows the demand forecast for situation
each of the GCC power networks up t o the Most Arab countries face problerns of
year 201 5. finance shortage for electricity development
The size of the interconnection proposed projects.
for each of the GCC countries was based on a
strategic criterion.8This criterion is: 2 The technological a n d manpower
situation
‘The size of the interconnection would be This category leads t o the following
such that each system could import u p t o problems with their long-term effects:
half the installed capacity of the largest
power plants, but no more than 30% of the 0 insufficient transfer of technology
peak load in 201 0, even during an outage of 0 lack of training of the indigenous
any one element of the interconnection t o population
that system. ‘ 0 delay in project execution mainly caused
by bottlenecks in the overburdened civil
The use of this criterion resulted in the construction sector
interconnection shown in Table 3. emigration of scarce Arab skilled labour,
The principal factors influencing the mostly t o the OPEC-Arab countries.
development of schemes t o implement the 0 migration of non-Arab unskilled (and in
interconnection are: limited cases skilled) Asian manpower t o
the Arab oil producing countries.
(a) The power system in Saudi Arabia
operates at a frequency of 60 Hz, while Table 3 Interconnection tie capac:ity(MW)
the systems in the other five states
operate at 50 Hz. county capacity
(b) The distances involved are relatively __ . .
large. For example, the distance from
Kuwait t o the United Arab Emirates is KJWdll 1200
over 1000 km. Saud Alaoia 1800
(c) Bahrain may be separated from the other Bd hrain 600
countries by water, but there is n o w a Qatai 750
bridge connecting Bahrain and Saudi UAE 900
Arabia and therefore a submarine cable Oman 400
may not be necessary.
POWER ENGINEERING JOURNAL JUNE 1996 125
2 GCCsystem
interconnection
Saudi
Arabia
(SCECO
East)
(ii
3 Standardisation
The construction process of electric power
facilities in some Arab countries has involved
consultants from various countries
participating separately according t o specific
projects. As a result, those facilities which
lack uniformity are growing in number and
sizes. The effect of such discrepancies may
not raise serious problems as long as the
systems are operated separately. However,
they may result in large amounts of trouble
when the structuring of large-scale electric
systems is considered.’
Because of the piecemeal approach, there
has been no unification of electricity
standards (frequency, voltages, equipment,
fittings etc.) inside most of the Arab
countries and the Arab world as a whole.
All Arab countries adopted 50 Hz as a
standard national frequency, except Saudi
Arabia which n o w utilises 50 Hz and 60 Hz
systems.
In high-voltage distribution, the Gulf
countries use 132, 220 and 380 kV while
the other eastern countries (Iraq, Syria,
Jordan and Lebanon) use 132, 150, 230
and 400 kV. The western countries use 132,
230 and 400 kV for high-voltage
distribution. In Egypt, the high-voltage
distribution used is 132, 220 and 500 kV.
The 132 kV used in lower Egypt will be
gradually phased out.
4 National networks
There are nine Arab countries whose
national networks are not yet
interconnected. These countries are UAE,
Gibote, Saudia Arabia, Sudan, Somalia,
Oman, Libya, Mauritania and Yemen. It is
important t o complete the design of national
grids before any interconnection steps are
taken.
126
Existing and future interconnections”
The existing interconnections are:
Morocco-Algeria, Algeria-Tunisia, Syria-
Lebanon and Jordan-Syria. Two lines of
225 kV and 200 M W already exist between
Algeria and Morocco.
The interconnection of the power systems
of Egypt and Jordan is in the implementation
stage. The interconnection across the Red
Sea is being done by submarine cables. For
the interconnection of electric power systems
in the eastern and western Arab countries,
these submarine cables will work on AC a t
600 M W in the first stage. Also, these
submarine cables can work on DC at 1200
M W , but it becomes necessary t o build a
DYAC convertor station.
The Egypt-Jordan interconnection is the
first stage in the interconnection project
Egypt-Jordan-lraq-Syria and Turkey. The
interconnection of these five countries
started operation in 1995. The t w o 400 kV
networks in Syria and Iraq make such
connection easy.
Two lines of 225 kV and 200 MW are n o w
implemented between Libya and Tunisia, and
it is expected that they will start operation in
1997.
The possibilities of other interconnections
are:
Saudi Arabia and Sudan
A DC link between Saudi Arabia and Sudan
under the Red Sea may be feasible if large
water dams were constructed on the Nile in
Sudan.
Sudan and Egypt
A link is not feasible n o w since the
northern Sudan load centre is about 900 km
from the High Dam in Egypt and the load in
Sudan does not warrant such a connection.
POWER ENGINEERING JOURNAL JUNE 1996
Kuwait and Iraq
The project has been thoroughly studied
and proved t o be feasible since the t w o daily
load curves are different (peak loads occur at
different times). The amount of energy which
may be exchanged merits such connection
since the t w o consumption centres are not
far away. The connection may be made using
a 400 kV line connecting Kuwait to Basrah.
Egypt and East Libya
A connection between the eastern part of
Libya to the Egyptian network by t w o lines
has been studied. The first stage includes a
220 kV, 170 M W line. The second stage
includes one 500 kV line.
Conclusions
0 For interconnected networks, power
supply reliability is enhanced, generation
of power is cost efficient, shutdowns and
outages are easily manoeuverable, even
during peak demand periods. Breakdown
periods are reduced t o the minimum.
0 Before interconnection of different
networks, a comprehensive study
encompassing short-circuit rating of
equipment being interconnected, fault
levels of the interconnected networks,
voltage IeveWdrops, maximum power
transfer, effects of circuit outages, peak
summer demands and frequency levels
needs t o be done t o ensure system
security and t o avoid collapse of the total
system in case of faults.
0 The interconnection of Arab power
networks is strictly dependent on the
development of the internal networks,
such that interconnections become
economical and feasible. So, it is
important t o complete the design of the
national grids before any interconnection
steps are taken.
For all Arab countries, it seems that 50 Hz
networks should be imposed, and 400 kV
should be selected for Eastern Arab
countries and 220 kV for North African
Arab countries. Also, higher voltages
should never be selected in one country in
isolation from neighbouring countries.
0 Joint effort should be shown in
standardisation and development of
electrical equipment construction.
0 Updating of network configuration and
control and protection systems is
necessary for the interconnected network.
It is necessary t o survey the available
sources of energy in the Arab countries. It
is expected that non-conventional sources
of energy (i.e. nuclear, solar etc.) should
be used. Joint effort is recommended t o
establish a nuclear power station in one
Arab country.,
0 Electric energy generation should be in
conjunction with irrigation and
desalination projects.
0 The studies of interconnection in the Arab
countries should take into account
modern energy management systems
(EMS) with a large variety of advanced
POWER ENGINEERING JOURNAL JUNE 1996
functions, where each function becomes
more and more sophisticated in order t o
get optimal performance.
Total Arab electricity production was
236.4 TWh in 1992, compared to 85.2
TWh in 1980. This calls for an additional
investment in the electricity sector in the
Arab World from n o w until the end of the
century.
0 The interconnection of electric power
systems in the Arab world will reduce the
spinning reserve by 1 4 3 2 0 M W (1 3 320
M W in the eastern countries and 1000
M W in the western countries).
0 The interconnection of electric power
systems in the Arab world will reduce the
possibility of complete loss of load t o 0.2
days per year.
It is recommended that combined-cycle
gas-turbine technology should be used t o
give high efficiency. Egypt, Syria and,
more recently, Gulf countries have already
started t o used combined-cycle
generation.
References
1 AL-SHEHRI,A. M., EL-AMIN, I. M., and
OPOKU, G.: 'An overview of essential
parameters for planning power system
interconnections', Proceedings of the 2nd
Symposium on Electrical Energy in the UAE,
17th-I 9th November 1991, paper 1 .I.
2 EL-AMIN, I. M., AL-SHEHRI, A. M., and
OPOKU, G.: 'Power systems interconnection in
Saudi Arabia: scenarios and options', ibid.,
paper 1.2
3 YOUSUF, M. A,, IBRAHIM, M., and AL-
GOBAISI, D. M. K.: 'Development and
justification of interconnected transmission
system for UAE', ibid., paper 2.3
4 EL-AMIN, I. M., AL-SHEHRI, A. M.,;Ind
OPOKU, G.: 'The UAE power system as an
integral part of the GCC network', hid., paper
2.4
5 HOLBERG, D.: 'Interconnection of power
systems: economic benefits, technical
possibilities and limitations', ibid., paper 1.3
6 'Power system development planning', Tokyo
Electric Power Company
7 AMER, A. H.: Interconnection of the UAE
Emirates electric power networks',
Proceedings of the 1s t Symposium on
Electrical Energy in the UAE, 3rd-5th Arpil
1988, pp.445-460
8 'Feasibility study for interconnectiori of Arab
gulf States electrical power systems', GCC,
1986
9 Update feasibility study', Hydro Quebec
International, GCC, 1990
10 'Feasibility study of electrical network
interconnection of Mashreq Arab countries',
Arab fund for Economic & Social
Development, 1991
11 AL-ABIAD, H. A. H.: 'Power system analysis
and planning' (McGraw-Hill, 1983)
0 IEE: 1996
Emad S.lbrahim is with the Department of
Electrical Machines and Power Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Helwan
University, Helwan, Cairo, Egypt. Dr. Emad can be
contacted a t PO Box 27, Daher, Cairo, Esgypt, or by
E-mail: emad-seib@frcu.eun.eg.
127