Quality of Supply at the Portuguese Electricity

Transmission Grid
Albertino Meneses

Luis Campos Pinto

REN Rede Elctrica Nacional

Lisboa - Portugal
albertino.meneses@ren.pt

REN Rede Elctrica Nacional

Lisboa - Portugal
campospinto@ren.pt

Abstract The energy markets liberalization has contributed to

an increase of responsibility on the transmission and distribution
system operators to achieve the standards established by the
respective regulatory entities in order to guarantee the highest
quality of supply to the consumers. This paper describes the
evolution of the Portuguese National Electricity Transmission
Grid (RNT), the results achieved in the last years, the grids
reability and availability, and also some necessary measures
taken in a perspective of quality of supply improvement.
Keywords - Quality of supply, continuity of supply, interruption
of supply, energy not supplied, voltage waveform quality,
availability, reliability

I.

INTRODUCTION

Rede Elctrica Nacional S.A. (REN) holds the concession

to operate the National Electricity Transmission Network
(RNT). It provides a public utility service in mainland Portugal,
as the Transmission System Operator (TSO). It holds as main
functions: the management of technical aspects of the National
Electricity System (SEN); the transmission of electricity; the
management of the interconnections with neighboring TSOs;
planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of
the RNT; the identification of needs of new power production
centers; the study of potential sites for new generation centers;
and the global management of the Electricity System of the
Public Service (SEP).
REN as the concessionaire of RNT has an important role in
the electric energy quality to the final consumer. This paper
will focus on the quality of supply and performance of RNT,
the implemented measures to achieve high performance values,
and also the voltage waveform quality.
II.

GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Portuguese Electricity Transmission Grid

In the end of 2010, the transmission lines total length was
8049 km (43.6 km of underground cables), with 1973 km of
400 kV, 3467 km of 220 kV and 2609 km of 150 kV. The
transmission grid had 61 substations, 12 switching stations, 174
power transformers and autotransformers and 1235 bays, with a
total installed capacity of 29980 MVA.

B. Supply Characterization
The total consumption in 2010 was 52200 GWh, with the
peak power reached in January 11th (9403 MW). RNT had 76
delivery points: EHV grid (220 kV and 150 kV) 20; HV grid
(60 kV) 56.
C. Grid Evolution
In the last five years, the RNT registered a considerable
evolution. From 2006 to 2010, the number of substations and
switching substations has risen by 24%. The number of power
transformers and transmission lines also registered a significant
increase, with 26% for power transformers and 15% for
transmission lines total length. In the next figures it is possible
to see this evolution.
(Number)
80
75
70
65

60
55
50
2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Figure 1. Number of substations and swithching substations

(Number)

(MVA)

180

31000
29000

160

27000
140

25000

120

23000
21000

100

19000
80

17000

60

15000
2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Figure 2. Number of transformers (blue) and power transmission (green)

(Number)

(km)

400

9000

350

8500
300

8000

250

7500

200

7000

150

6500

100
50

6000

5500

L400

L220

5000

L150

TRF+ATR

RNT primary system

2006

2007

2008

2009

BARR

Exterior systems

EXTERIOR
RNT

2010

Figure 4. Number of incidents of RNT divided by equipment

Figure 3. Transmission lines

III.

TRANSMISSION GRIDS PERFORMANCE

100%

90%

19%

17%

80%

2%

7%

30%

A. Continuity and quality of supply

The continuity of supply is the grids permanent capacity to
deliver electricity to all consumers. When this capacity is not
guaranteed, it means that a supply interruption takes place.

70%

22%

60%

1%

8%
40%

Continuous disturbances that affect the voltage

waveform
nominal
characteristics:
frequency
variations, slow voltage variation, fast voltage variation
(flicker), unbalance, harmonics. These phenomena are
mainly caused by grids installations that have nonlinear loads or significant load variations;
Momentary disturbances, in addition to a singular
event, that results on voltage waveform nominal
significant characteristics variations: voltage dips and
temporary or transient over voltages. This situation
occurs in addition to faults in elements of the grid or
external factors (environmental and atmospheric
events, third party actions).

B. Grids incidents
Between 2006 and 2010, 84% of incidents had origin in
overhead lines (Fig. 4). The principal causes are (Fig. 5):

Industrial and saline pollution, in association with fog

and mist;

Lightning;

Birds (white stork);

Forest fires.

35%

24%
28%

18%

0%
2006

2%
2007

19%

1%

10%

8%

2008

2009

2010

Environmental action: forest fires

Atmospheric action: winds
Atmospheric action: fog, mist or pollution

The voltage waveform quality is affected by other types of

disturbances, such as:

5%

0%

20%
10%

33%
2%

0%

30%

In some situations, a load shedding can occur. The last

significant one was on November 4th, 2006, following a huge
disturbance on the Europeans interconnections, originated in
Germany.

0%
36%

33%
38%

35%

0%

50%
40%

28%

Environmental action: birds (white storks)

Atmospheric action: lightning
Other causes

Figure 5. Transmission lines incidents causes

C. Principal implemented measures on RNT

The quality and continuity of supply levels showed an
improvement due to several reasons:

Adequate policies for transmission grid maintenance;

Major investments in strengthening and renewal of

grid;

A significant number of power plants connected to the

transmission grid;

A policy of continuous improvement with respect to

situations caused by incidents on the grid.

In the fourth bullet, especially on transmission lines

domain, where most of incidents occur, it is important to
underline some implemented measures:

Transmission lines renewal, uprating and replacement

of insulator strings and accessories, as well as shield
strengthening against lightning;

Porcelain and glass insulators substitution by

composite insulators (fibreglass rod with silicon rubber
sheath and sheds), especially in areas with strong
pollution;

Nesting platforms and fans installation (fans are

used as a way to discourage nesting), on transmission
lines that are located near birds (white storks) habitat;

Aerial visual periodic inspections, which include

thermography and laser technology distance
measurement that allows a more effective intervention
through anomalies geo-referencing;

Insulators contamination monitoring and definition of

periodic washing actions;

Periodic vegetation monitoring and management of

combustible material in the right of way (ROW) of
Overhead Lines, according to the Forest Defense Law.

On the next figure it is possible to see that the obtained

results were very positive. Between 2005 and 2010, the number
of transmission lines faults per 100 km of circuit decreased
from 4.1 to 2.6 (which represent a reduction of 37%).
Number of faults per 100km of circuit

5,0
4,5
4,1
4,0
3,5
3,0
2,8

2,5

D. Main results
a) Incidents and grids vulnerability
The quality of supply global level depends on the number
of incidents that affects the transmission grid, having in
account the correlation with climatic conditions.
Despite the significant increase on the principal RNT
elements (transmission lines and substations) in the same
period (2006-2010) the incidents number had a decrease of
10% (Fig.8).
(Number)
320
300
280
260
240
220
200
180
160
140
120
100
2006

2,4
2,2

2,6

2007
EHV network

2008
HV network

2009

2010

External networks

2,0
2,0

1,5

Figure 8. Incidents number

1,0
2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

RNT's global index

Figure 6. Faults originating in RNT lines per 100 km of circuit

Regarding substations, there were also a few methods

implemented on the last few years, especially on protection
systems:

Review and standardization of protection systems

technical specifications;

Replacement of obsolete protection systems and

introduction of new technologies and features;

In the end of 2004, it was launched the Project of

Differential Protection on Lines.

The next figure shows the results obtained with the

previous methods and the direct influence on the voltage dips
duration.

Also the Grids Vulnerability indicator reached in 2010 a

new historic minimum (2.93%). This indicator measures the
grids capacity of not interrupting the energy supplied to
consumers after an incident, whatever the incidents origin (this
indicator consider also force majeure incidents, like
exceptional winds, floods, forest fire, direct lightning strokes,
earthquakes, strikes, public disorder, sabotage, wrongdoing or
third party intervention). This indicator is calculated through
the ratio between the supply interruptions number and the
incidents number.
The excellent value reached in 2010 is a consequence of
the way the grid is planned, as well as the operation and
maintenance measures. The meshed grids characteristic with
adequate maintenance measures and policies, leads to a
minimization of the incidents consequences that affect
consumers.
25%
20%

100%

15%

95%

10%
90%

5%
85%

0%
80%

2006

75%

2007
Long interruptions

70%
2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Figure 7. Probability of the protection systems operating in a time equal

to or less than 150 ms

2008

2009

2010

Short interruptions

Figure 9. Grid Vulnerability evolution

b) Grids availability
The availability should be the main characteristic of a
transmission network, as observed by users (consumers and

producers). In 2009, the Portuguese regulator (ERSE)

introduced a new regulatory incentive to increase the
availability of the elements of the transmission grid. The
objective is to promote the reliability as a key factor on the
quality of service provided and promote an efficient
management rule, in line with EU best practices.
The Combined Availability Rate (Tcd) is calculated every
month, through the following formula:
= + (1)

c) Continuity of supply
The quality of supply indicators and parameters are defined
in accordance to the regulatory legislation stated in the
Regulamento da Qualidade de Servio de Portugal (RQS) [1].
The general indicators are related with the global performance
of the transmission grid. The annual determination of these
indicators and parameters allows verifying their evolution and
to take the necessary corrective measures in a perspective of
power quality improvement.
The general indicators are the following:

Where,

Energy Not Supplied (ENS): the ENS for a certain

period of time is the sum of the estimated ENS
originated by supply interruptions on each delivery
point;

Average Interruption Time (AIT): measures the total

number of minutes that power supply is interrupted
during the year;

The target was set at 97.5%. If the Tcd is lower than that
target the company has to pay a penalty. On the other hand, if
the company achieves a Tcd value higher than 97.5%, then it
has the right to receive an incentive.

System Average Interruption Frequency Index

(SAIFI): represents the annual average frequency of
the interruptions on the total delivery points, during a
period of time;

On the next figures is possible to see the incentive

mechanism and the Tcd values since 2004. For the years before
2009, an estimation was made (since the incentive mechanism
begins only in 2009). In 2010, Tcd value reached 97.78%.

System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI):

measures the interruption average duration on the
delivery points, during a period of time;

Max.
1.000.000

System Average Restoration Time Index (SARI): is the

interruptions average restoration time on the delivery
points, during a period of time.

500.000

The individual indicators, related with the performance of

the transmission grid in each delivery point, are:

=0.75;

Tdcl is the Rate of Availability for line circuits

(overhead lines and cables);

Tdtp is the Rate of Availability for power transformers.

Incentive

0
96,5%

97,0%

97,5%

98,0%

98,5%

-500.000
Max.
-1.000.000
Penalty

Interruption Duration (ID): total duration of the

interruptions verified in a delivery point, during a
period of time;

Interruption Frequency (IF): number of interruptions

on a delivery point, during a period of time.

In the individual indicators if those parameters are not

respected, the company has the obligation to pay compensation
to the clients.

Tcd
Regulatory Incentive to increase the availability

Figure 10. Regulatory incentive to increase the availability

100%
99%
98%

99,0%

97,5%

For Continuity of Supplys general and individual standards

verification, are excluded: all interruptions caused by fortuitous
reasons or force majeure, public interest reasons, service
reasons, security reasons, circumstances attributable to
customers and agreements with customers.
The quality of supply provided by REN reached high values
in the last years, very similar to other European utilities.

97%

In 2010, the AIT was 1 minute and 9 seconds (Fig. 12).

In other words, REN had provided electricity to consumers
99.99978% of the time.

96%
95%

94%
2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Figure 11. Combined Availability Rate evolution and target (97.5%)

(system.minutes)

1,50

0,45

0,40

1,00

Minutes

0,35

0,30

0,50

0,25

0,20

0,15

0,00
2006

2007

2008

2009

2010
0,10

Figure 12. Average Interruption Time (AIT) evolution

0,05

Also SAIFI, SAIDI and SARI general indicators reached

very positive values, as it is possible to see on the next figure.

0,00
2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Figure 14. Unplanned Supply Interruptions (system-minutes)

25

LOWER RELIABILITY

It is noticeable that the majority of the interruptions is

shorter than 0.25 system-minutes. Only in two cases, in 2008
and 2010, this value was exceeded.

20

2003
2002

Another important fact, which reflects the transmission

grids reliability, is that the majority (92%) of the delivery
points of the RNT didnt registered any long interruption
(duration higher than 3 minutes), on the last five years.

GREATER RELIABILITY

SARI (minutes)

2001
15

5
10

2005

2007

2009

3
2006

2008

d) Voltage quality
In general, the disturbances average values are relatively
low, and the (indicative) regulatory limits are fulfilled in 92%
of the delivery points. Only 3 delivery points were affected by
permanent character disturbances (flicker).

Lines with constant

SAIDI (minutes)

2010

2004
1
0,5

0,1

0,2

0,3

0,4

0,5

0,6

0,7

0,8

0,9

The majority of the voltage dips had durations lower than

250 milliseconds and a dip with 30% of the rms voltage value.
These results are globally acceptable.

SAIFI

Figure 13. Continuity of supply indicators evolution

An important measure of RNTs performance is the energy

not supplied (ENS) in addition to unplanned supply
interruptions originating in the REN system. One way to record
supply interruptions is through system-minutes indicator. A
system-minute is defined as the energy not supplied (in
megawatt-minutes) from the system to consumers, divided by
the system maximum demand (in megawatts per year). The
next figure shows all the interruptions of REN liability with
energy not supplied, between 2006 and 2010, in systemminutes.

CONCLUSION
In the last years, REN achieved an excellent performance
regarding quality of supply as shown by the relevant indicators.
This is due to a detailed identification of incidents causes, a
great improvement on preventive measures and a significant
investment on RNT infrastructures (transmission lines and
substations).
This situation puts REN among the most efficient
European transmission utilities.
REFERENCES
[1]

[2]

Regulamento
da
Qualidade
de
Servio
(http://www.erse.pt/pt/electricidade/regulamentos/qualidadedeservico/Pa
ginas/default.aspx).
Relatrio
da
Qualidade
de
Servio
2010
(http://www.centrodeinformacao.ren.pt/PT/publicacoes/Paginas/RelQual
idadeServico.aspx).