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 2011 was 7,849 MW (15 August), excluding an export of 1,900 MW to other emirates and 56MW to the GCC grid.
Water transmission
TRANSCO's water transmission network consists of over 3,000 km of pipeline, predominately ductile iron, ranging in size from 500 mm to 1600 mm diameter. The network system is pressurised by 50 pumping stations at production, transfer and terminal stations. These have a total pumping capacity of approximately 2,100 MGD. The water network is supported by 122 storage reservoirs with a total capacity of over 540 MG. It is worth noting that the total storage capacity, together with the water storage at production facilities that falls under the despatch activities of TRANSCO is approximately 1500 MG, which equates to more than 2 days’ supply at average demand.
TRANSCO supplies some 215 thousand MG per year of drinking water to the two distribution companies and exports to northern emirates, with a peak-day supply of 675 MG in 2011.
TRANSCO's security standards are based on three components – (i) Planning guidelines according to the Water Transmission Code (ii) Contingency plans and (iii) Risk analysis.
.
|