NGCP sets technical standards in grid operations

MANILA, Philippines - The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has set pioneering grid technical standards aimed to improve its operations and services as it sets sight on becoming one of the best power utilities in Southeast Asia.

The grid operator has institutionalized the technical standardization system with a total of 109 standards on equipment and material specifications, project and construction management, planning and design, maintenance and testing, and operations—all based on global standards and best practices of international power utilities.

Through technical standardization, NGCP is able to better develop and implement a system to improve the quality of its services and operational efficiency, and more efficiently align its internal processes.

It also contributes to the company’s improved levels of compatibility and interchangeability of equipment, spare parts and materials, and commonality of processes, as well as administrative and management functions. 

“Setting these standards has made designing new projects and maintaining existing lines easier, but, at the same time, more stringent. The standards serve as design references for new project requirements, hence, consistent quality is ensured across our projects and maintenance activities,” NGCP said.

The grid operator said among the completed design standards are for substations, control and protection systems, telecom facilities, steel pole and lattice transmission line structures, and civil works structures, reducing design man-hours and ensuring the highest degree of reliability.

The company also set in place a new and more effective Network Protection System designed to quickly detect risks to grid integrity such as line faults and voltage fluctuations, and to implement preventive or mitigating actions with minimum energy loss and with due regard to health, property and the environment.

“The Network Protection System is yet another step towards a smarter grid. We prioritized setting these standards to improve the quality of our service to grid customers. Our customers are assured that all NGCP facilities across the country adhere to these standards and practices which are at par with our international counterparts,” it said.

These standards are revisited on a regular basis to keep it up to date and responsive to the changing technologies and current needs of NGCP’s operations. In completing the standards, natural disasters, high temperature and humidity, which are inherent in the Philippines, were also considered.