SAUDI ARABIAN

GRID CODE
COMPLIANCE
PROGRAM
Awareness Workshop

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Topics for Discussion
How did we get here?
Saudi Electricity Company Reorganization.
Transmission License & move to the Single Buyer.

What is the Saudi Arabian Grid Code?

History, Standards and User Obligations

Why do we need a Compliance Program?

Monitoring and Compliance Structure
Phase 1 & 2 Description and status

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HOW DID WE GET HERE?

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Company Restructuring
The restructuring of the electricity sector is one of the
targets of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that is included
in the Electricity law and its Implementing Regulations.
January 2012: The first subsidiary company was the
National Grid for power transmission.
2014: The plan is to have one Distribution company and
four Generation companies to be in operation as
unbundled subsidiaries.
2014: Move toward the Single Buyer as the first step to
future open market competition.

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Transmission License
Electricity and Co-Generation Regulatory Authority
(ECRA) has granted a Transmission License to National
Grid to operate the Transmission Network in Saudi
Arabia.

National Grid has been identified as the Transmission

Service Provider described in the Saudi Arabian Grid
Code.

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 Single Buyer Environment
GCCIA
IPP & IWPP Sustainable Energy SEC Generators Cogeneration
Cross border
sources

Physical transmission
Commercial Purchase
(agreement)

Coordination
Coordination Single Buyer
Transmission Service
Provider (SEC)
(National Grid SA)

Commercial Sales (Tariff)

Distribution & Sales

Company
(SEC) Large businesses
& Industries

Commercial businesses & residential consumers
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 What is
the Saudi
Arabian
Grid
Code?

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For restructuring
to work, all
participants must
follow the same
Standards and
obligations.

These Standards
and obligations
are identified in
the Grid Code

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HISTORY OF THE GRID
CODE
In 2007, the initial Saudi Arabian Grid Code was
established in order set technical and commercial
Standards for all users of the Saudi Arabian Electrical
Power Grid.
In early 2014, a revision to the Grid Code will be
released to include the changes approved by ECRA .

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STRUCTURE OF THE
GRID CODE
The Grid Code breaks up the Standards into
seven chapters as follows.
Chapter 1: General Conditions
This chapter contains provisions of a
general nature to ensure all sections of the
Grid Code work in harmony for the benefit
of all Participants.

Chapter 2: Connection Code

This chapter establishes a set of technical, design and
operational Standards for the users connecting to the
Electrical Grid, including Generation, Distribution and
Directly Connected Customers.
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STRUCTURE OF THE
GRID CODE
Chapter 3: Planning Code
This chapter covers planning of the Electrical Grid
including data that is required to plan for expansion .
Chapter 4: Operating Code
This chapter is very detailed and covers all the operating
Standards and requirements for a safe and efficient
Electrical Grid.

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STRUCTURE OF THE
GRID CODE
Chapter 5: Scheduling and Dispatch Code
This chapter covers scheduling and dispatching of
Generating Units and demand resources including the
timing of information between the parties.
Chapter 6: Data and Information Exchange Code
This chapter covers the data required to be transferred
between all users of the Electrical Grid.
Chapter 7: Metering Code
This chapter covers the metering requirements and
responsibilities for all Grid Users.

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WHY IS THE GRID CODE
IMPORTANT
The Grid Code sets the Standards for all participants and
creates a Level Playing Field so that no participants
have an unfair advantage over another participant.

It defines obligations, responsibilities and accountability

of all parties to ensure open access to the Grid while
maintaining its safe, reliable and efficient operation.

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OBLIGATIONS FOR
NATIONAL GRID
ECRA has issued a license to National Grid as the
Transmission Service Provider (TSP) in Saudi Arabia as
defined in the Grid Code.
As per the Grid Code, the TSP is responsible for the
implementation and enforcement of the Grid Code.
Therefore, National Grid is responsible to ensure all
requirements of the Grid Code are followed.
This responsibility applies to the actions of National
Grid staff as well as Generation, Distribution and
Directly Connected Companies as it applies to the Grid
Code.

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OBLIGATIONS FOR
NATIONAL GRID
National Grids obligations under the Grid Code include,
but are not limited to, the following
that the Transmission System Operator (Control Centers)
operate the Power System in a safe, reliable and efficient
manner.
that voltage and frequency Standards are met at all times
as identified in the Grid Code.
to plan the system to meet current and future needs
to be the primary contact with ECRA on all transmission
issues

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OBLIGATIONS FOR
NATIONAL GRID
that outage planning and contingency planning is
performed to ensure
1. Sufficient generation is available at all times to meet
the demand of Distribution and Directly Connected
Customers, in a safe, reliable and economic manner.
2. Facilitate executing new projects and performing
needed maintenance for transmission and generation
equipment to maintain a secure and reliable power
supply.

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OBLIGATIONS FOR
NATIONAL GRID
National Grids obligations under the Grid Code also
require data collection, documentation and reporting of
all violation of the Grid code, including violations from
National Grid actions and the actions of all Grid
Participants.
This obligation will be covered through the monitoring
and compliance program detailed below .

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OBLIGATIONS FOR
GENERATION
Under the Grid Code, Generation also has obligations to
ensure the Grid operates safely and efficiently, including
but not limited to
Providing data to the TSP to meet the requirements of the
planning and connection codes.
Designing and maintaining their equipment to meet the
requirements of the connection code.
Providing the TSP with equipment outage requirements in
order to prepare planned outage schedules in advance.
Notifying the TSP of any emergencies that occur requiring
removal of a generator from service.

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OBLIGATIONS FOR
GENERATION
Continued
Following the dispatch instructions from the TSP Control
Center with respect to start/stop of the Generating Units
and loading of the units. If the Power Plant cannot meet
the requirements, they must notify the Control Center of
the technical reason for not following the dispatch
instruction.
Notifying the TSP Control Center of any equipment
limitations that require AVRs to be removed from service,
VAR limits to be put in place or Speed Governor action to
be blocked.

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OBLIGATIONS FOR
GENERATION
Continued
Following the TSP short and long term plans that specifies
the units to be operated as per the load forecast,
transmission must-run generation and energy allocation
plans.

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 OBLIGATIONS FOR
DISTRIBUTION &
CUSTOMERS
Under the Grid Code, there are also obligations on
Distribution and Directly Connected Customers,
including but not limited to
Following the dispatch instructions from the TSP Control
Center with respect to loading at a substation.
Following the dispatch instructions from the TSP Control
Center during emergencies, including shedding load as
requested and following instructions during restoration.
Notifying the TSP Control Center of any problems in their
equipment that may have an impact on the Grid.
Maintaining power factor above 90% on their system.

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 OBLIGATIONS FOR
DISTRIBUTION &
CUSTOMERS
Continued
Coordinating outages and work that impact the grid with
Operation Planning and the Transmission Control Centers.
Transferring power from one transmission substation to
another through the Distribution Network as per
requirements of the TSO within the permissible limits of
the Distribution networks.

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MONITO
RING &
COMPLIA
NCE
PROGRA
M

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 MONITORING &
COMPLIANCE PROGRAM
In order to meet the TSP obligations for Implementation
and Enforcement of the Grid Code, National Grid has
appointed:
Abdulrahman Al-Shabnan as the Compliance
Manager
E-mail: TSAQPMG@ngrid.sa
Tel No. 011 80 77 360.
This is the primary point of contact with ECRA
and is responsible for enforcement of the Grid
Code Standards.

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 MONITORING &
COMPLIANCE PROGRAM
National Grid also assigned a committee to review the
entire Grid Code.
The committee selected approximately 100 Standards
that required action from National Grid.
Each Standard requires monitoring and reporting on
compliance with the Grid Code requirements.
The requirements were structured into Phases in order to
make progress towards monitoring all requirements.

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 MONITORING &
COMPLIANCE PROGRAM
All chapters of the Grid Code are important and the
initial phase is just a start, not the most important ones.
Phase 1 included 17 Standards and they are now under
approval as described below.
Phase 2 has 22 additional Standards selected and work has
just begun in this area.
The balance will be added in an ongoing process.

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 PHASE 1 INITIAL
MONITORING
The following slides will review the initial Standards.

They will make reference to the Grid Code (GC)

Standard, identify preventative action, detail the
monitoring and reporting and also explain the corrective
actions as required.

Corrective action will be described at the end of the

presentation.

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 1. TSP COMPLIANCE
WITH FREQUENCY
VARIATION STANDARDS
Standard:
GC 2.4.2.1 states that the TSP must maintain Frequency
between 59.90 and 60.10 Hz during normal operation.

Responsible Party: Transmission Control Centers

Preventative Action:
To ensure no violations occur, National Grid has set a target of
59.95 to 60.05 Hz as the normal range in order to ensure
frequency remains within the standard .

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 1. TSP COMPLIANCE
WITH FREQUENCY
VARIATION STANDARDS
Monitoring:
Frequency data will be sampled every two seconds and all
values outside the frequency standard will be recorded
along with the reason for the violation.

Reporting:
Violations will be classified by frequency range and will
be reported to ECRA quarterly and poor performance will
be followed up with the Control Centers.

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 1. TSP COMPLIANCE
WITH FREQUENCY
VARIATION STANDARDS
Sample:
The following is a summary chart that shows there were
violations on this particular day, primarily overnight with
high frequency.

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 COMPLIANCE WITH
FREQUENCY VARIATION
STANDARDS
Standard:
GC 2.4.2.2 states that the Generators must operate for a
specified duration during frequency variations without
tripping.
Generators must operate in the following range:

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 COMPLIANCE WITH
FREQUENCY VARIATION
STANDARDS
Responsible Party: SEC Generators and IPPs

Preventative Action:
To ensure no violations occur, Generation must ensure their
frequency settings are in accordance with the Standard .

Monitoring:
All generator trips are logged along with the cause for the trip.

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 COMPLIANCE WITH
FREQUENCY VARIATION
STANDARDS
Monitoring continued:
National Grid staff, with the support of the Power Plant
staff, will review these trips and cross check them with any
frequency variations. If the Generator tripped during a
frequency variation, it will be recorded as a violation.

Reporting:
Violations will be reported to ECRA quarterly.
National Grid staff will follow up with the Power Plant
and request that they check the frequency relay settings
and take corrective action as required.

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 3. GENERATOR SPEED
GOVERNOR RESPONSE TO
FREQUENCY DEVIATIONS
Standard:
GC 4.4.3.2 states that the Generators must react to arrest
the frequency decay when the frequency drops below
59.95 Hz.
Responsible Party: SEC Generators and IPPs
Preventative Action:
To ensure no violations occur, Generation must ensure their
speed governor systems have no restrictions with the SEC
generator droop setting at 4% and IPP set at 5% .

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 3. GENERATOR SPEED
GOVERNOR RESPONSE TO
FREQUENCY DEVIATIONS
The Speed Governor on a Generator provides immediate
response to arrest the frequency during an emergency by
increasing its output as long as the Generator is not fully
loaded. National Grid should ensure there are a sufficient
number of generators with additional capacity that can
react to a frequency drop. The speed governor is only
expected to stop the drop in frequency and is not expected
to return the frequency to normal.
The following example shows the arrest of the Frequency
by speed governor action, followed by AGC response and
manual action by the Dispatcher.

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 3. GENERATOR SPEED
GOVERNOR RESPONSE TO
FREQUENCY DEVIATIONS
60.03

System Frequency
60.01

59.99

59.97

59.95

59.93

59.91

59.89

59.87

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 3. GENERATOR SPEED
GOVERNOR RESPONSE TO
FREQUENCY DEVIATIONS
Monitoring:
Following each big generation disturbance, National Grid
will review the performance of all Generators to identify
any generators did not respond.
The pre-disturbance loading and the post-disturbance
loading will be recorded from the two second data.
The loading will be cross checked against the Generator
capability to ensure additional capability was available.
If the Generator had additional capability but there was no
increase in output, then a violation will be recorded.

37
 3. GENERATOR SPEED
GOVERNOR RESPONSE TO
FREQUENCY DEVIATIONS
Reporting:
Violations will be reported quarterly and follow up will be
done with the power plants.

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 4. RESTRICTIONS ON
GENERATOR SPEED
GOVERNOR SYSTEM
Standard:
GC 4.4.3.2 states that the Generators may only restrict
Governor action for the following reasons:
For the safety of personnel or to avoid damage to the plant;
To secure the Reliability of the Generating Unit;
The restriction is agreed to between the TSP and the
Generator in advance; and
The restriction is in accordance with the Dispatch Instruction
issued by the TSP.
Responsible Party: SEC Generators and IPPs

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 4. RESTRICTIONS ON
GENERATOR SPEED
GOVERNOR SYSTEM
Monitoring:
There is no remote monitoring of the Governor Speed
system at this time so it is not possible to record when the
system is restricted.
To cover this requirement, National Grid will record only
the events where Generation has advised that the Governor
system has been restricted and agreed in advance.
This monitoring will be used in conjunction with item 3
above to remove the Generation violation for not
responding to frequency deviations when they have
advised National Grid in advance.

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 COMPLIANCE WITH
VOLTAGE LIMIT
STANDARDS
Standard:
GC 2.4.3 states that the TSP must maintain system voltage
within +/- 5% of the nominal value under normal
conditions and within +/- 10% under abnormal conditions.
A violation will occur if the over voltage exceeds 10% for
more than 30 minutes.

Responsible Party: Transmission Control Centers

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 COMPLIANCE WITH
VOLTAGE LIMIT
STANDARDS
Preventative Action:
To ensure no violations occur, National Grid has
procedures to switch static devices as required and then
utilize transformer taps, unit excitation in coordination
with the power plants and run additional generation as
needed to absorb Vars to control the over-voltage.

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 COMPLIANCE WITH
VOLTAGE LIMIT
STANDARDS
Monitoring:
All Transmission buses are monitored and any occurrences
of 10 % overvoltage is recorded. The duration of the
overvoltage is check and if it is more than 30 minutes, it is
recorded as a violation in the quarterly report.

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 6. DISTRIBUTION AND
CUSTOMER POWER
FACTOR COMPLIANCE
Standard:
GC 2.5.6.4 states that Distribution (DE) and Directly
Connected Customers (DCC) must maintain a lagging
power factor of at least 90% at all times.
Responsible Party: Distribution & Large Customers
Preventative Action:
To ensure no violations, Distribution and Directly
Connected Customers must have sufficient capacitors and
other devices operating on their system at all times.

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 6. DISTRIBUTION AND
CUSTOMER POWER
FACTOR COMPLIANCE
Monitoring:
National Grid will monitor the point of interconnection to
determine the power factor in each location.
Where power factor metering is provided through AMR,
this value will be used. When AMR is not available, use of
SCADA readings and calculations will be performed to
determine Power Factor.

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 7. GENERATION AND
TRANSMISSION OUTAGE
PLANNING
Standard:
GC 4.3.4.4; 4.3.4.6 and 4.3.5.5 states that Generation and
Transmission Outage plans are required to be issued in a
timely manner.
Responsible Party: Operation Planning Department
Monitoring & Reporting:
The Generator must provide details of planned outages and
the probability of forced outages by the end of March each
year for inclusion in the Outage programs.

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 7. GENERATION AND
TRANSMISSION OUTAGE
PLANNING
National Grid must provide all Users with a Final
Generation & Transmission Outage Program by the end of
September each year.
Operational Planning Department is responsible to monitor
this process and will report annually through Asset Quality
Performance Department to ECRA.

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 8. TSP/GRID USER
NOTIFICATION OF
SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS
Standard:
GC 4.5.6.1 states that National Grid must provide a
Significant Incident Report to ECRA within 24 hours of
the event.
Responsible Party: Transmission Control Center
Preventative Action:
To ensure no violations, procedures have been developed
for NCC to file the initial Significant Incident Report.

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 8. TSP/GRID USER
NOTIFICATION OF
SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS
Monitoring:
Copies of these reports will be sent to Regulatory Affairs
and any significant events that are not reported will be
considered a violation.
A Significant Incident may include
Voltage outside operational limits;
System frequency outside statutory limits;
Load disconnection;
Islanding Conditions; and
System Instability.

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 WITH ISSUING OF
SIGNIFICANT INCIDENT
REPORTS
Standard:
GC 4.5.6.2 states that National Grid must provide a
Preliminary Significant Incident Report to ECRA within
15 working days of the event and a Final Significant
Incident Report to ECRA within 2 months of the event.
Responsible Party: Asset Quality Performance Dept
Preventative Action:
Asset Quality Performance Department is responsible for
these reports. To ensure no violations, they will require
cooperation with all participants to provide data in a
timely manner.

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 WITH ISSUING OF
SIGNIFICANT INCIDENT
REPORTS
Monitoring & Reporting:
Asset Quality Performance Department will track the date
when the initial event occurred as documented in the initial
notification.
Failure to submit these reports within the time limit will be
a violation.

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 10. GRID USER COMPLIANCE
WITH OPERATIONAL REPORT
PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION
Standard:
GC 4.5.6.3 states that ALL Grid Users will prepare and
submit to National Grid, monthly, quarterly and annual
operations reports.
Responsible Party: Asset Quality Performance Dept
Preventative Action:
To ensure no violations, all Grid Users must submit their
reports on time.

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 10. GRID USER COMPLIANCE
WITH OPERATIONAL REPORT
PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION
Monitoring & Reporting:
Asset Quality Performance Department is responsible for
monitoring these reports and they will follow up with the
participants as required.
Failure to submit these reports will be a violation.

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 CORRECTIVE ACTION
When violations occur, a three step process will normally be
used for follow up.
If this was the first violation on a Generator, the Operation
and Control Department Manager from the Area will
contact the Generation Power Plant to determine why the
Generator did not respond as required.
The Power Plant will check the speed governor system to
ensure there is no restrictions and will advise Operation
and Control of the findings and corrective action that was
taken.

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 CORRECTIVE ACTION
If this was the second violation on a Generator, the
Operation and Control Vice President will contact the
executive Director of Generation to request that corrective
action be taken.
If this was the third violation on a Generator, the
Compliance Manager from Regulatory Affairs will contact
ECRA and request their support to fix the problem.

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 CORRECTIVE ACTION
If the violation is with a customer, a similar process will
occur with the Distribution or Directly connected
Customer staff.

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 PHASE 2 STANDARDS
The committee has selected additional standards to
monitor under stage two. These standards are under
development and include the following groups:
Black Start Resources.
User compliance with Dispatch Instructions.
Inadequate Operating Margin (Up and Down).
Accuracy of User Data.

Some examples are included below

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BLACK START CAPABILITY
Standard:
GC 4.4 states that there must be Black Start availability to
start up the system within two (2) hours following a
shutdown.
Responsible Party: Operation and Control
Monitoring & Reporting:
Operation and Control will identify locations where black
start units are required to meet the standard.
Monitoring will be done on the availability of these units.

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BLACK START CAPABILITY
Monitoring & Reporting:
Testing will also be done on all available black start on a
three year rotation to ensure all black start units can be
started within 2 hours.
When black start units are not available or do not start
within the required time, corrective action will

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NON-COMPLIANCE WITH
DISPATCH INSTRUCTIONS
Standard:
GC 5.4 states that all users must comply with dispatch
instructions issued by the TSP.
Responsible Party: Operation and Control
Monitoring & Reporting:
Dispatch instruction include start/stop of Generation,
MW/MVar loading of Generation, voltage control and
emergency operation for Generation, Distribution and all
Directly connected customers.
Generation includes SEC and IPPs

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NON-COMPLIANCE WITH
DISPATCH INSTRUCTIONS
Monitoring & Reporting:
Control Center shift staff will log all occurrences where
dispatch instructions are not followed.
Monitoring Divisions will collect the daily logs and
analyze the violations.
Operation and Control Management will follow up on all
violations with Generation, IPPs, Distribution and Directly
Connected Customers.

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 FAILURE TO MAINTAIN
OPERATING RESERVES
Standard:
GC 4.4 states that the TSP must maintain the required
Operating Reserves.
Responsible Party: Operation and Control
Monitoring & Reporting:
Monitoring Divisions will collect historical data and
analyze the violations.
Follow up will be done with the Control Centers.

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FAILURE TO SUBMIT GRID
PLANNING DATA
Standard:
GC 3.3 states that the Users must submit Grid Planning
Data.
Responsible Party: Network Planning
Monitoring & Reporting:
Network Planning will monitor the submission of data and
will follow up with the users.
Failure to submit the data will be considered a violation
and will be reported to ECRA

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 FUTURE MONITORING
Other Grid Code items will be monitored following the
implementation of phase 2. These include:
Commissioning Test Procedures
Reactive Power Capability
Primary Frequency Response
Fast Start Generation Capability
Generation Sync times and Ramp Rates
Protection and Fault Clearing Times
Auto Reclosing of Circuit Breakers

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 FUTURE MONITORING
Under-frequency/Under-Voltage Protection Operation
Station Nomenclature (Equipment Numbering)
Generation Forced Outages
Generation and Substation Metering
Project Technical Completion Certificates

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QUESTIONS ?

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