Manama: GCC Power Conference and Exhibition 2014 concluded on Wednesday in Bahrain with a resolve for collective efforts to promote GCC electricity market within the Arab region in order to create larger scale that eventually extends to an international market.
Moreover, the integration of the nation electricity market through coordinated development of natural gas and electrical interconnections yields economic benefits for all Arab countries, and in particular to the GCC countries.
This event which was organized by GCC regional committee for large electric systems (GCC CIGRE) and hosted by Bahrain Electricity and Water Authority (EWA), recommended to carry out monitoring of EHV cables utilizing the latest assessment techniques which helps proactively schedule any needed repairs before system fault happens.
GCC Power 2014 Declaration mentioned that the increased number of power outages emphasizes the need for new dynamic security assessment system with possible integration with the existing SCADA/EMS systems.
The attendees called upon enhancing the exiting high sophisticated central pollution station by integrating the pollution data from GCC local stations, this station would help to design the insulation levels for outdoor applications.
GCC Power 2014 declaration confirmed that advancement in system operations philosophies comes not only from new trends in technologies such as WAMS, but also by thinking out of the box and utilizing the current assets and enhancing practice to produce the most the most optimal solutions, at lower costs and most effective performance. Thus, it is recommended to utilize advancement in system operations philosophies coming from new trends in technologies. Such experiences with different technologies should be captured and presented as case studies that are exchanged periodically between GCC utilities for mutual benefits.
GCC Power 2014 recommendations asserted for establishment of a reliable communication system to play a vital role in the management of power transmission and distribution networks. Smart applications can be achieved with modern reliable design of communication networks.
Engineer Kamel Al-Shehabi, head of local organizing committee and board member of GCC CIGRE said that GCC Power conference and exhibition was a great success. Thanks to Bahrain excellent hosting and hospitality, GCC Power 2014 is now considered one of the best power conventions held in the region.
Al-Shehabi added that all attendees praised the scientific papers and case studies discussed during the three-day event, taking into consideration variation and focusing on vital subjects that tackles the power sector ongoing and future matters in the gulf region, and how to sustain the growth of this significant sector.
Al-Shehabi confirmed that GCC Power 2014 recommendations will be delivered to all attendees and GCC electricity authorities to be implemented depending on the needs and requirements of each country.
“The recommendations have focused on the importance of adapting risk assessment techniques in designing asset maintenance system in order to reduce cost, improve system response and enhance asset lifetime. In addition to reducing diesel consumption and the cost related to the transportation of fuel through the use of hybrid generation integrated with renewable resources to feed the isolated loads,” Al-Shehabi, added.
The third day sessions of GCC Power conference and exhibition 2014 discussed dynamic shunt compensation for power utility applications, reliability and maintainability of GCC interconnection HVDC Link, Features of developing the first underground substation in the Middle East, and inrush currents and their influence on the transformer differential relay.
The last session tackled switchgear and HV equipment, network requirements on switching capability of GIS, and vintage breaker replacement at oil and gas facilities.