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Transmission
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Transmission of electricity and water from production/generation companies to the two Distribution Companies in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is undertaken by TRANSCO .
Electricity transmission
The technical characteristics of the electricity transmission system are similar to that of the UK, with the main grid network operating at 400kV and a sub-transmission system operating at 220kV. Abu Dhabi Island has a meshed sub-transmission network operating at 132kV. The main centres of load are Abu Dhabi Island and surrounding industrial areas, as well as Al Ain city.
The current and developing transmission system infrastructure is illustrated below
TRANSCO operates its electricity network under the internationally recognised 'n-1' security standard, whereby the system will not suffer a power loss in the event of a single fault or equipment failure. An enhanced 'n-2' security standard is used for Abu Dhabi Island.
The various power stations are directed and controlled by TRANSCO's load despatch centre, maintaining a real time balance of power requirements against generating capacity. A margin of spare capacity is maintained in accordance with TRANSCO's security standard, which ensures dynamic stability of the system in the event of loss of the largest generation unit (see TRANSCO's security standard document). The peak demand in 2008 was 6,620 MW (31 August 2008), including an export of 994 MW to other Emirates.
Water transmission
TRANSCO's water transmission network consists of over 2,850 km of pipelines ranging in size from 500 mm to 1600 mm diameter. This pipe work is predominately of ductile iron interlinked by a combination of 50 production, transfer and terminal pumping stations. These collectively have a pumping capacity of almost 2,074 MGD. The water network is supported by 122 storage reservoirs with a total capacity of over 538 MG.
In 2008, TRANSCO supplied approximately 213,580 MG of water and the maximum peak supplied was 604 MGD. TRANSCO's security standards are based on three components - planning guidelines according to the Water Transmission Code, contingency plans and risk analysis.
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