Nagpur: The Ambazari Load Dispatch Centre (LDC) of Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (Mahatransco) on Wednesday successfully conducted a ‘Black Start’ drill, demonstrating preparedness to restore the power system from a complete grid failure without external assistance.
The large-scale technical exercise was carried out smoothly without disrupting power supply to consumers in Nagpur and Bhandara districts, underscoring the robustness of advance planning and coordination among power utilities.
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What is a ‘Black Start’ drill?
A ‘Black Start’ refers to the process of restoring power generation and transmission from scratch in the event of a total grid collapse. In such situations, conventional power stations require an external electricity source to restart. However, under the Black Start mechanism, hydroelectric power stations are used to gradually energise the grid without relying on outside power.
As mandated under the Indian Electricity Grid Code, 2023, and the Maharashtra Electricity Grid Code, 2020, periodic Black Start drills are compulsory to ensure system resilience during major technical failures.
Technical exercise conducted in morning session
The drill was conducted between 10.03 am and 12.02 pm, with the 132 kV Pench Hydroelectric Project serving as the primary Black Start source. Power generation was initiated at the Pench project and systematically transmitted to multiple substations, including 220 kV Kanhan, 400 kV Khaparkheda (New), 220 kV Khaparkheda (Old), 400 kV Koradi, 220 kV Butibori, and 220 kV VIPL.
As part of the exercise, select technical elements at these substations were temporarily isolated from the main grid and subjected to controlled and limited load conditions. The successful synchronisation and load handling validated the system’s capability to restore operations swiftly during emergencies.
Uninterrupted supply in Nagpur-Bhandara region
Despite the complex technical operations, electricity supply across Nagpur and Bhandara districts remained uninterrupted throughout the drill. Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) had issued prior intimation, and public cooperation further ensured smooth execution.
Engineers at the Ambazari LDC meticulously planned and executed the drill, ensuring that consumers did not experience any inconvenience.
Boost to emergency preparedness
Officials said the successful drill has significantly strengthened confidence in the system’s readiness to handle large-scale grid failures or blackouts. “Such exercises are critical to assess our preparedness and ensure that power supply can be restored rapidly during emergencies,” officials at the Ambazari Load Dispatch Centre said.
Senior officials, including Chief Engineer Dilip Dodke of MSEDCL’s Nagpur Circle and Chief Engineer Satish Ane of Mahatransco’s Nagpur Circle, along with officers from all three power companies, congratulated Superintending Engineer Vaishali Pazare and the entire team at the Ambazari Load Dispatch Centre for the successful execution of the Black Start drill.
