Project News

The final presentation on the PI Activity to the BPC Management was held on 11th September 2012 at BPC Conference Hall, Thimphu as stated on the program below.

Date	11th September 2012 (Tuesday)
Time	09:00 - 17:00
Venue	BPC HQ Conference Hall, Thimphu
Chairman	AM: JCC Chairman / Officiating Director, Department of Renewable Energy PM: BPC Management
Program	09:00 – Welcome Address by BPC Management 09:05 – Opening Remarks by Chairman 09:15 – Theme # 5 Presentation on “Improvement billing and payment system in rural area” 10:15 – Theme # 4 Presentation on “To identify real technical loss” 11:15 – (tea/coffee break) 11:30 – Theme #3 Presentation on “Calculation on methodology for correct reliability indexes from customer view point” 12:30 – (Lunch break) 13:30 – Theme # 1 Presentation on “Protection coordination” 14:30 – Theme # 2 Presentation on “Standard installation of fault location” 15:30 – (tea/coffee break) 15:45 – Presentation on “Up-gradation of the Training Capacity” 16:45 – Closing Remarks by JICA Expert

The PI Teams presented their themes as follows.

Theme#1 Protection coordination

Theme #1 “Protection coordination”: BPC had been suffering due to poor coordination in up-steam and down-steam relays. The management approved further skill development training in protection coordination and directed Transmission Department and Distribution Department to initiate coordination meeting for proper relay coordination in up-steam and down-steam in power distribution systems. In addition, the management approved for the purchase of compatible software as it is necessary for initiating scientific relay coordination, but cautioned the team to carefully select a software with further examination.

Theme#2 Standard Installation of Fault Location

Theme #2 “Standard installation of fault location”: Since BPC have been facing a problem of delay in restoration, the team studied in Wangdue and presented several options for installation of fault indicators and isolating devices. The management directed the team to implement a pilot project to install combination of fault locators and auto re-closers (ARCB) in ESD Wangdue. The management also instructed to analyze after the implementation for standardizing and replicating it in other ESDs.

Theme#3 Calculation on methodology for correct reliability indexes

Theme #3 “Calculation on methodology for correct reliability indexes from customer view point”: BPC had been using SAIDI and SAIFI as indices for reliability of power supply. However, BPC’s reliability figures indicate one of the lowest in the region. Therefore, the team worked on the methodology for correct reliability indexes from customer view point, and proposed new format with the aim to capture well-defined categories of outages that must be accounted for correct reliability. The management accorded principle approva-l to adapt new method for calculating reliability and directed to carry out a pilot study in ESD Dagana first, in order to fully rolling out to other ESDs.

Theme#4 To identify real technical loss

Theme #4 “To identify real technical loss”: BPC’s distribution network has grown in size over the years. On the other hand, BPC needs to reduce energy loss to reduce revenue loss. For reduction of loss, it is necessary to set realistic yearly loss target. Therefore, the team firstly studied to identify real technical loss. Since the numerical method of calculating technical loss was established and agreed by the management, the team will install meters to all distribution transformers of the pilot feeder in Lhuentse to check the actual loss.

Theme#5 Improvement billing and payment system

Theme #5 “Improvement billing and payment system in rural area”: Rural Electrification has been accelerated in Bhutan to achieve the target, “providing electricity for all by 2013”. On the other hand, it is required better customer services (payment system) and cost effective solution (metering and billing for BPC) in rural areas. Therefore, the team studied and presented various options on metering, billing and payment systems. The management approved the proposed option to implement meter reading through SMS, but also instructed to conduct further study for security issues, integration with SAP (BPC system) and pre-paid system for the final approval before the budget allocation.

Up-gradation of the Training Capacity

“Up-gradation of the Training Capacity”: Since it is important that the training capacity of the BPC training center in operation and maintenance for rural power supply is enhanced and up-graded, JICA and BPC have been working on as one of the Project activities. Recognizing its capabilities that have been nurtured over long period of time in the field of imparting training, it was discussed that Central Maintenance and Training Division (CMTD) shall continue to focus on training and slowly explore an option to delink its maintenance function as CMTD has two functions of maintenance and training under Distribution and Customer Services Department (DCSD), and the restructure of organogram was proposed. Since the training policy is necessary for the up-gradation of the training capacity, JICA and BPC will keep working on together in line with the BPC Training Policy under the Human Resource Master Plan which will be prepared by a local consultant.