CHP 220 kV feeder protection Project

As part of the national grid expansion initiative, CHP needed to add two new 220 kV feeder bays to its existing 220 kV switchyard. In relation to this, CHP/DGPC awarded the Contract for supply of control and protection panels for these bays to BHUTAN AUTOMATION in September 2022.

Execution of the works for the Contract has already started and the panels are scheduled to be commissioned by August 2023, provided erection of the bay equipment are completed prior to that (not in the scope).

Automation of Tala Hydropower Plant

The contract for installation of SCADA and other control systems at Tala Hydropower Plant (6 x 170 MW) was awarded to BHUTAN AUTOMATION by DGPC on 28 October 2022 with a completion date of January 2025. It is a renovation and modernization project, where the existing SCADA system, which was supplied by BHEL in 2006, would be completely replaced with a new, state-of-the-art automation system.

The various project activities such as design works, detailed engineering activities, approval of drawings, and FAT of the Control panels of one Unit have been planned in 2023.

Automation Training Stations and Protection Relay Training Panels for College of Science and Technology (CST)

An order for supply of a training station for industrial automation system was received from CST in January 2022. The delivery was successfully completed in July 2022 along with the necessary support for setting up of the equipment at the college and user training for the faculty members. The automation training station was based on SICAM A8000 RTU and 250 SCALA SCADA system. The setup was optimally designed to engage and expose the engineering students to real-life automation systems and enable them to use the station for solving general automation tasks/objectives.

Based on satisfactory progress of execution of the automation station, CST subsequently placed another order for supply of protection relay training panels for generators, feeders, bus bar, transformer, and motor in May 2022.  The engineering works and manufacturing of the panels have been initiated, and the delivery is expected to be completed by March 2023.

Chhukha Hydropower Plant (CHP)

In November 2022, BHUTAN AUTOMATION was awarded the contract for replacing the turbine governors of all four units (4 x 84 MW) and the excitation system of one unit at CHP by DGPC. The current governing systems of CHP are not functioning optimally, particularly in terms of stability and primary control functions. Additionally, the existing excitation systems are outdated and incompatible with the planned implementation of modern SCADA systems at the plant sometime in 2025. Therefore, these control systems are being replaced with modern digital systems. The project is slated to be finished by April 2024.

Basochhu Hydropower Plant

The Contract for Upgrade of Switchyard SCADA and Protection Relays of BHP was signed with Druk Green Power Corporation on 07 August 2019. The 220/66 kV switchyard of BHP, which first interconnected the eastern and western girds of Bhutan at 220 kV voltage level, was supplied with state-of-the-art control and protection systems. In addition, protection relays in the two powerhouses will be replaced with the latest digital IEDs.

Erection and commissioning of the SCADA, and Control and Protection panels at the switchyard was successfully commissioned and the project was handed over to the client on 16 November 2021.

Kurichhu Hydropower Plant

The Contract for modernization of the 60 MW Kurichhu Hydropower Plant (KHP) was signed with DGPC on 12 September 2018. Located in the eastern part of Bhutan, KHP was commissioned between 2001 and 2002. The hydropower plant consists of four Kaplan-turbine generating units with installed capacity of 15 MW each.

The scope of the Contract comprised of the replacement of the existing SCADA System including Unit, Dam, Common Auxiliary, & Switchyard Controls, and Governor & Excitation Systems. The Contract also included the replacement of some related field instruments.

The refurbishment contract was successfully completed in December 2020. In addition to an integrated control and monitoring solution, the implementation includes advanced joint control features.

Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project

The Contract for Design, Manufacture, Supply, Handling, Storage, Transportation from storage site to place of installation, Erection, Testing, Commissioning and Handing over of complete Computerized Control System & Protection System of the 1020 MW PHPA-II was signed on 31 December 2018.

Located in the central part of Bhutan, PHPA-II is an intergovernmental project between the Governments of Bhutan and India. The hydropower project will consist of six Francis-turbine generating units with installed capacity of 170 MW each. The completion and handing over of the project are scheduled towards the beginning of 2023.

Bhutan Power Corporation limited

Awarded on 03 June 2020, this was the first project beyond the hydropower sector.  The contract covered supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of SCADA systems at 132 kV Tintibi, Gelephu, Yurmoo, and 66 kV Olakha substations under BPC. The implementation of SCADA at Gelephu substation was later changed to Lobeysa substation.

The SCADA systems offered at the substations are based on the state-of-the-art 250 SCALA. The work consists of integration of IEDs and energy meters from various manufacturers with the 250 SCALA on the latest industry standard communication protocol for substations IEC 61850. 

The SCADA systems were successfully commissioned at all the four substations in April 2021.

Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project Authority

The Contract for Design, Manufacture, Supply, Handling, Storage, Transportation from storage site to place of installation, Erection, Testing, Commissioning and Handing over of complete Computerized Control System & Protection System of the 1200 MW PHPA-II was signed on the auspicious day of 30 May 2021.

Located upstream of PHPA-II, PHPA-I is also an intergovernmental project between the Governments of Bhutan and India. The hydropower project will consist of six Francis-turbine generating units with installed capacity of 200 MW each. The completion and handing over of the project are scheduled towards the end of 2023.