UNIVERSITY OF MORATUWA

Faculty of Engineering

Registered Module No: EN3992

INDUSTRIAL TRAINING REPORT

Resource Management Associates (Private) Limited

Ceylon Electricity Board
Lanka Electricity Company (Private) Limited

From: [05/ 10 / 2020] To [19 / 03 / 2021]

Date of Submission:
[18/ 07 / 2021]

Perera M. I. N.

170440M

Department of Electrical Engineering

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PREFACE
As undergraduates of the Department of Electrical Engineering, the University of Moratuwa
following the course B.Sc. (Hons) in Electrical Engineering, we are supposed to undergo a
twenty-four-week industrial training program including two separate training programs under
the two different training establishments as part of undergraduate academic work. The Industrial
Training Division of the University of Moratuwa in collaboration with the Department of
Electrical Engineering of the university and the National Apprentice and Industrial Training
Authority (NAITA) were allocated us under different companies to gain practical knowledge in
the field.
This report includes two separate sections with my training experiences gathered from Resource
Management Associates (Pvt) Limited, Ceylon Electricity Board, and Lanka Electricity
Company (Pvt) Limited during my 24-week training period from 5th October 2020 to 19th March
2021 where I placed as per the requirement. Each section contains three chapters.
The first chapter in each section includes an overview and the SWOT analysis of the respective
organization while the second chapters contain the training experiences gathered under each
training establishment including the exposure, the projects handled, the problems encountered,
and difficulties faced. Moreover, the final chapter in each section presents the conclusion to the
overall training at the respective training establishment by summarizing all training experiences
including my perspective areas to be improved.

Perera M.I.N.
170440M
Undergraduate
Department of Electrical Engineering
University of Moratuwa

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The industrial training program is one of the greatest opportunities I had as a university
undergraduate to expose myself to the field of Electrical Engineering and to improve myself
with practical applications of the theories we learned at the university. In the beginning, we
were sacred with ourselves whether we would be able to complete industrial training as per the
requirement since the second wave of the pandemic situation has begun. The successful
completion of industrial training even during the pandemic situation may not be possible
without the support and guidance given by the many personnel. So I must thank those great
personalities who helped me to complete this great journey. First and foremost, I would like to
extend my gratitude towards Vice-chancellor, Prof. N. D. Gunawardena, Dean of Faculty of
Engineering, Prof. N. K. Wickramarachchi, Former head of the department of electrical
engineering, Prof. S. Kumarawadu, Head of the department of electrical engineering, Prof.
Udayanga Hemapala, Director of the industrial training division, Eng. Plnr. T. A. Gamage for
supporting guidance throughout this journey. Then, I would like to pay my sincere gratitude to
the training coordinator of the department of electrical engineering, Dr. (Mrs) S. K
Abeygunawardane, the lecture in charge, Eng. (Ms) J. Uthyasanker, and other staff from the
industrial training division for coordinating and making efforts to give us a proper training
experience during our internship and to officials from NAITA who render great service to
maintain the quality and the standards of training experience. Further, I express my sincere
gratitude to Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya, the managing director, Resource Management
Associates (Pvt) Limited for recruiting me as a trainee and making effort to deliver a well-
organized training experience and other engineers and minor staff from RMA who supported
and guided me for successful training completion. Also, special thanks should pay here to my
supervisor from RMA, Dr. Amila Wickramasinghe for being a backbone behind me every time
I need and Mr. Mahesh Rathnayake, one of the project engineers from RMA who is responsible
for the coordination of training at RMA to giving us support and guidance throughout the
training. Moreover, I also want to pay my heartiest gratitude to Eng. (Mrs). Chandani
Premarathne, training coordinator, Ceylon Electricity Board and Eng. (Mr.) Rasitha Peiris,
Chief Engineer of Upper Kotmale Power Station, Chief Engineer of Transmission &
Maintenance (Northern), Deputy General Manager (Colombo city), and Eng. (Mr.) Sanjeewa
Pushpa Kumara, Training manager, Lanka Electricity Company (Pvt) Limited, Branch Engineer
of LECO Nugegoda Branch office, and all the technical officers, electrical superintendents, and
minor staff from CEB & LECO who supported and guided me for successful training
completion.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE .................................................................................................................................. i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT......................................................................................................... ii

SECTION A
1 INTRODUCTION TO TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT ................................................. 1
1.1 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES (PVT) LIMITED ............................. 1

1.1.1 Main functions of RMA ...................................................................................... 1

1.1.2 The organizational structure of RMA ................................................................. 1

1.1.3 SWOT analysis of RMA ..................................................................................... 1

1.1.4 Usefulness to the country from RMA ................................................................. 2

1.1.5 Suggestions to improve performance .................................................................. 2

2 TRAINING EXPERIENCE ............................................................................................... 3

2.1 Working Experience in ongoing projects .................................................................... 3

2.1.1 Installing battery energy storage system in Addu city ........................................ 3

2.1.2 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for CEB and LECO .................................... 5

2.1.3 LV network modelling in Wennappuwa ............................................................. 6

2.2 Literature review on Ancillary service support by Grid-scale Battery Energy Storage
system ..................................................................................................................................... 7

2.2.1 Grid-Scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) ........................................... 7

2.2.2 Functionalities of BESS ...................................................................................... 7

2.2.3 Experience of other countries .............................................................................. 9

2.2.4 Power system simulation and result .................................................................... 9

2.3 Electrical installation tests ........................................................................................... 9

2.3.1 Earth Leakage Resistance (ELR) test .................................................................. 9

2.3.2 Residual Current Device (RCD) test ................................................................... 9

2.4 Presentations .............................................................................................................. 10

2.4.1 Introduction to Sri Lanka energy sector ............................................................ 10

2.4.2 Introduction to Solar PV systems ...................................................................... 10

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 2.5 Field visit to Mampuri wind farm .............................................................................. 11

2.5.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 11

2.5.2 Structure of wind turbine ................................................................................... 12

2.5.3 Generator arrangements .................................................................................... 12

2.5.4 Pitch control mechanism ................................................................................... 12

2.5.5 Plant controlling system .................................................................................... 12

3 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................ 13

SECTION B
4 INTRODUCTION TO TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT ............................................... 15
4.1 CEYLON ELECTRICITY BOARD (CEB) .............................................................. 15

4.1.1 Main functions of CEB...................................................................................... 15

4.1.2 The organizational structure of CEB ................................................................. 15

4.1.3 SWOT analysis of CEB ..................................................................................... 15

4.1.4 Usefulness to the country from CEB ................................................................. 16

4.1.5 Suggestions to improve performance ................................................................ 16

4.2 LANKA ELECTRICITY COMPANY (PVT) LIMITED ......................................... 17

4.2.1 Main functions of LECO ................................................................................... 17

4.2.2 The organizational structure of LECO .............................................................. 17

4.2.3 SWOT analysis of LECO .................................................................................. 17

4.2.4 Usefulness to the country from LECO .............................................................. 18

4.2.5 Suggestions to improve performance ................................................................ 18

5 TRAINING EXPERIENCES ........................................................................................... 19

5.1 Upper Kotmale Power Station ................................................................................... 19

5.1.1 Power station arrangement ................................................................................ 20

5.1.2 Generator start and stop sequence ..................................................................... 25

5.1.3 Generator Excitation system ............................................................................. 25

5.1.4 Operation modes of generators.......................................................................... 26

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 5.1.5 Gas Insulated Switchyard (GIS) ........................................................................ 26

5.1.6 Outdoor gantry yard .......................................................................................... 27

5.1.7 Service Station Power Supply ........................................................................... 28

5.1.8 Bearing arrangement ......................................................................................... 28

5.1.9 SCADA System ................................................................................................. 29

5.1.10 Catchment areas ................................................................................................ 29

5.1.11 Social and environmental impact ...................................................................... 30

5.2 Transmission Operation & Maintenance (Northern) ................................................. 31

5.2.1 Components of a Grid Substation ..................................................................... 31

5.2.2 Switchgears ....................................................................................................... 33

5.2.3 Power Transformer Protection Components ..................................................... 33

5.2.4 Battery Bank & Battery Charger ....................................................................... 35

5.2.5 Capacitor Bank .................................................................................................. 35

5.3 Colombo city ............................................................................................................. 36

5.3.1 Colombo City Distribution Network ................................................................. 36

5.3.2 Choosing an opened ring over a closed ring ..................................................... 37

5.3.3 Feeder pillars and mini pillars ........................................................................... 37

5.3.4 Ring Main Unit (RMU) ..................................................................................... 38

5.3.5 Neutral Grounding Resistor (NGR) .................................................................. 39

5.3.6 Cross-section of Under Ground (UG) cable ...................................................... 39

5.4 LECO Training Centre, Ja-Ela .................................................................................. 41

5.4.1 Transformer types.............................................................................................. 41

5.4.2 Transformer testing ........................................................................................... 41

5.5 LECO Branch Office, Nugegoda ............................................................................... 43

5.5.1 Job costing ......................................................................................................... 43

5.5.2 Supply and Customer Categories ...................................................................... 43

5.6 LECO Customer Service Centre, Maharagama ......................................................... 44

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 5.6.1 Important protection/ Disconnection equipment ............................................... 44

5.6.2 Solar Metering Scheme ..................................................................................... 46

5.7 LECO Head Office, Colombo. .................................................................................. 47

5.7.1 Load Forecasting ............................................................................................... 47

5.7.2 Distribution control centre................................................................................. 47

6 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................ 48
ANNEXES ................................................................................................................................ x
Appendix 1: Organizational Structure of Resource Management Associates (Pvt) Limited . x

Appendix 2:Financial model for the Maldives project .......................................................... xi

Appendix 3: Simple model for BESS ................................................................................... xii

Appendix 4: DIgSILENT Power Factory model for literature reviews and their results. ... xiii

Appendix 5: ELR test procedures and circuit diagram ........................................................ xvi

Appendix 6: Feeder 03 model in Wennappuwa LV Network. ........................................... xvii

Appendix 7: Organizational Structure of CEB .................................................................... xix

............................................................................................................................................. xix

Appendix 8: Organizational Structure of Lanka Electricity Company (Pvt) Limited .......... xx

REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................... xxi

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List of Abbreviation
RMA- Resource Management Associates
NAITA- National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority
RE-Renewable Energy
MD-Managing Director
CSR - Cooperate Social Responsibility
BESS- Battery Energy Storage System
SOC- State of Charge
PV- Photo Voltaic
RES- Resource Energy Sources
CEB- Ceylon Electricity Board
LV- Low Voltage
LECO- Lanka Electricity Company
PCS- Power Conversion System
RCD- Residual Current Device
MDB- Main Distribution Board
DB- Distribution Board
ELR- Earth Leakage Resistance
MCCB- Molded Case Circuit Breaker
MOPE&BD- Ministry of Power Energy and Business Development
MPRD- Ministry of Petroleum Resources Development
EVA- Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
PUCSL-Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka
SMS- Short Message Service
LTGEP- Long Term Generation Expansion Plan
DSM- Demand Side Management
UDA- Urban Development Authority
CSCs- Customer Service Centres
GIS- Geographical Information System

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UKTPS- Upper Kotmale Power Station
MIV- Main Inlet Valve
GCB- Grid Circuit Breaker
GIS- Gas Insulated Switchyard
AIS- Air Insulated Switchyard
PEEK- Poly Ether-Ether Ketone
HV- High Voltage
SCADA- Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
GSSs- Grid Sub Stations
PSSs- Primary Sub Stations
VHF- Very High Frequency
List of Figures
Figure 2-1:Variation of Specific Fuel Consumption Rate of Diesel Generators ....................... 4
Figure 2-2:Comparison between Fuel consumption in the diesel-powered mini-grid, diesel
solar-powered mini-grid and diesel solar, and BESS-powered mini-g ...................................... 5
Figure 2-3: Frequency regulation by grid-scale battery energy storage system ......................... 8
Figure 2-4: Digital RCD tester ................................................................................................. 10
Figure 2-5: The typical characteristic curve of the solar model ............................................... 11
Figure 5-1:Upper Kotmale Power station arrangement ........................................................... 20
Figure 5-2: Upper Kotmale Intake Dam.................................................................................. 20
Figure 5-3: Intake gate ............................................................................................................. 21
Figure 5-4: The outside appearance of one main inlet vale ..................................................... 22
Figure 5-5: One Main Transformer unit ................................................................................... 24
Figure 5-6: Tail Race ................................................................................................................ 24
Figure 5-7:Excitation system.................................................................................................... 26
Figure 5-8: Battery bank inside the battery room..................................................................... 26
Figure 5-9: Gas Insulated Switchyard (GIS) in UKTPS .......................................................... 27
Figure 5-10: Cable tunnel ......................................................................................................... 28
Figure 5-11: Standard type bearing arrangement ..................................................................... 29
Figure 5-12: St. Clair discharge gate near to the intake dam ................................................... 30
Figure 5-13: Earthing transformer ............................................................................................ 32
Figure 5-14: Breather ............................................................................................................... 34

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Figure 5-15: Capacitor banks ................................................................................................... 35
Figure 5-16:Example diagram of Colombo city distribution network ..................................... 36
Figure 5-17: Inside of a feeder pillar ........................................................................................ 37
Figure 5-18: Bus coupler in a feeder pillar............................................................................... 38
Figure 5-19: Transformer Oil Tester (Manual) ........................................................................ 42
Figure 5-20:Transformer continuity test .................................................................................. 42
Figure 5-21: Drop Down Lift-Off (DDLO). ............................................................................ 44
Figure 5-22:Disconnecting Switch & High Rupturing Capacity (HRC) fuse .......................... 45
Figure 5-23: Auto Recloser ...................................................................................................... 46

List of Tables
Table 5-1: Training schedule for the period starting from 8th February 2021 ......................... 19
Table 5-2:Materials/ Components inside the 240/3C/XLPE/SWA/CU UG cable and their
objectives .................................................................................................................................. 39

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SECTION A
1 INTRODUCTION TO TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT
1.1 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES (PVT) LIMITED
Resource Management Associates (Private) Limited was established in the year 1999, focusing
on providing consultancy services mainly in the energy sector in the areas of electrical power
generation, renewable energy (RE) development, energy management, electricity utility
planning, and analysis in energy policy issues. It has been a front runner in the electrical
engineering consultancy field in Sri Lanka as well as in several Asian countries such as India,
Maldives, Indonesia, middle-east and Africa over the past two decades under the guidance of
Managing Director (MD), Eng. Tilak Siyambalapitiya and the agile knowledgeable staff.
1.1.1 Main functions of RMA
 Energy policy formulation and policy analysis
 Energy planning at the national, utility, and institutional levels
 Project formulation and due diligence in electricity and other energy industries
 Renewable energy resource assessment and project development
 A financial and economic evaluation of the energy sector and project performance
 Energy pricing and energy sector regulation
 Energy efficiency, demand management, and conservation Training and capacity
building
1.1.2 The organizational structure of RMA
The organizational structure of RMA is shown in Appendix 1.
1.1.3 SWOT analysis of RMA
1.1.3.1 Strengths
The guidance of Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya who is one of the prominent figures in the energy
sector of Sri Lanka and the excellent support and commitment of the highly qualified and
experienced professionals can be identified as one of the biggest strengths in RMA. Apart from
that, working along with the collaborations of many academic, professional institutions and
individuals in the energy sector such as the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL),
Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA), and Ministry
of Power and Renewable Energy has been added advantages in delivering the high-quality
services to the clients. Also, being a leading energy consultant at the local and as well in
international level is captured as one of the organization's strengths. Moreover, cooperating
with the community services will help to enhance the social image of the organization.

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1.1.3.2 Weaknesses
Human resource limitation is one of the weaknesses that has been identified in the RMA.
Comprising the less number of staff within the organization will create difficulties in project
handling as the workload per person is high when many ongoing projects are happening
simultaneously. Therefore, the number of projects that can be handle at the same time will be
limited. Also, the limited number of minor staff can be noted as a weakness of the organization.
1.1.3.3 Opportunities
The recruitment of professionals who are interested and specified in multidisciplinary fields in
Electrical Engineering will create more opportunities to expand the organization’s career in the
local as well as in the international energy markets due to the growing demand for expertise in
the world's power sector.
1.1.3.4 Threats
Withstand against the competitiveness of existing consultancy services, the emergence of rival
companies, and adapting to the new trends in the energy sector can be considered as threats.
Moreover, employees will get demotivated and will leave the company and joining with
newcomers who evolving into the RMA's scope unless career development opportunities are
not available within the organization.
1.1.4 Usefulness to the country from RMA
Resource Management Associates (Pvt) Limited was established to fill up the energy
consultancy services in Sri Lanka. With an excellent consultancy service during the past 22
years, they have been a leading energy consultant by providing the necessary knowledge and
guidance for conventional and renewable energy-related projects, energy policy formation, and
as well as energy sector regulations and planning. Apart from them, they have been fulfilled
their social responsibilities by doing Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects and by
giving good training to university undergraduates.
1.1.5 Suggestions to improve performance
Recruiting an adequate amount of staff will be added advantage of taking up more projects to
proceed at the same time without having trouble with the limited number of human resources.
Also, it will help to expand the future career of the company with the support of existing
qualified engineers from multi-disciplinary fields.

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2 TRAINING EXPERIENCE
This section describes my training experiences at Resource Management Associates (Pvt) Ltd
under the supervision of Dr. Amila Wickramasinghe during the 18 weeks training period
starting from 5th October 2020 to 7th February 2021.
2.1 Working Experience in ongoing projects
As mentioned before, Resource Management Associates (Pvt) Ltd is providing its consultancy
services all over the world. Following sections describe my working experiences, how they
were conducted and the knowledge I was observed by cooperating with the ongoing projects.
2.1.1 Installing battery energy storage system in Addu city
During my training period, I was assigned to work with one of the RMA ongoing projects with
a collaboration of Asian Development Bank to providing energy consultancy service for a
Maldives’ project which is called “POISED” by my supervisor, Dr. Amila Wickramasinghe. In
brief, we were tried to observe the impacts of introducing an advanced battery energy storage
system (BESS) on the existing diesel-powered mini-grid into the existing diesel-powered mini-
grid. Moreover, the final intention of this project is to make a recommendation regarding
whether can achieve financial benefits through increasing the fuel-saving of a diesel generator
to the client "JFJCM" who is planning to fund installing 3C BESS in Addu City as a part of
“POISED” project. It is necessary to note here; this project was the international project that I
engaged in throughout my training period at RMA.
2.1.1.1 Develop the model.
As per the client’s requirement, my supervisor, Dr. Amila Wickramasinghe was assigned me to
design the small financial model to observe the impact on diesel fuel saving of the generator
through introducing the BESS into the existing mini-grid. During this study, I have carried out
web base study on how characteristics of the battery modules help to improve the performance
of their Battery Energy Storage System since our client is planning to fund installing 3C BESS
in Addu City as a part of the "POISED" project. C-rate is typically a charging and discharging
rate of a particular battery.
Appendix 2 and Appendix 3present simulation results of the model I designed in the Excel and
simple BESS model respectively. Also, during modelling BESS, I made some assumptions
about the battery's charging and discharging time and its initial State of Charge (SOC) level.
State of Charge is the level of charge of an electric battery relative to its capacity. So, the initial
SOC level of the BESS model was kept at 0.67 and six hours is taken as its charging and
discharging time. It is necessary to note here, the results from my designed model were not

3
given significant results as it requires to include actual field data measurements that were not
available at that time. Further, this model can be extending for future studies.
2.1.1.2 Impact of loading level of diesel generator on the fuel-saving from the diesel-
solar-BESS powered mini-grid.
Maintaining the grid stability and keeping high spinning reserves within the mini-grid is became
into significant challenge due to their intermittency behaviour of renewable energy resources
like solar and wind. Also, integrating non-dispatchable renewable energy resources like solar
and wind with the traditional diesel-powered mini-grid technologies will reduce the loading of
diesel generators. As a result, the generators' fuel efficiency becomes poorer and its fuel
consumption per kWh will increase due to the typical fuel consumption characteristics of diesel
generators where the fuel consumption rate (fuel consumption per kWh of energy) increases
with the loading level (Figure 2-1). Thus, the diesel generators will have to continuously operate
at their sub-optimal efficiency levels resulting in poorer fuel efficiency while compensating the
intermittency of solar PV generation and satisfying the frequently fluctuating customers’ net
load requirement (load minus PV). Ramping up and down of the generator’s output while
operating in the sub-optimum efficiency range will result in further consumption of diesel fuel.
Also, frequently operating below the minimum loading condition of the generator (usually 30%
of the rated power of the generator) for a long period can cause damages to the generator.

Figure 2-1:Variation of Specific Fuel Consumption Rate of Diesel Generators

With the BESS, the generator can run within its maximum efficiency region even at the time
where the generators have to compensate for the intermittency of non-dispatchable renewable
resources. If there is surplus energy generated by the generators or the PV, the BESS will absorb
this excess generation. Also, when there is a sudden increase in demand that cannot be
supported by the generators, the BESS will compensate using its stored energy. In that way, the

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BESS will prevent the generator from rapidly ramping up or down in response to fluctuations
in renewable resources. Figure 2-2 shows how the actual diesel fuel consumption of generators
can reduced further than its estimated value with the contribution of BESS to maintain the
generators in their optimum efficiency zone for our project. Not only during the daytime, but
the BESS will also support keeping the generators within their maximum efficiency ranges
during the night-time while helping to ensure the system's stability and reliability. Furthermore,
the BESS will provide part of the required energy to the power system during the night by
utilizing its stored energy.

Figure 2-2:Comparison between Fuel consumption in the diesel-powered mini-grid, diesel

solar-powered mini-grid and diesel solar, and BESS-powered mini-g
In such a way, installing battery energy storage system while hybridizing Renewable Energy
Sources (RES) with the existing diesel-powered mini-grid offers a flexible and cost-effective
solution for transforming the available clean renewable energy sources for the national
electricity requirement in countries who are merely dependent on imported fuel.
2.1.2 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for CEB and LECO
Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya was assigned to conduct a study on what kind of Key Performance
Indicators can be used to evaluate the performance of CEB and LECO with the assistance of
Eng. Swetha Perera. At the end of this study, I was able to present the sample Key Performance
Indicator list that can be used for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the Lanka Electricity
Company (LECO) in Sri Lanka to assess their technical and financial performance by studying
on the annual reports of foreign countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Singapore. Also, I
gained the basic idea of how foreign countries are keeping their performance while obtaining

5
an optimal level of profitability according to their performance evaluating criteria. The
following sections briefly describe the knowledge I learned through this study.
2.1.2.1 Essentiality of evaluating the performance of a particular utility itself
Since electric power utility industry which compasses the electricity power generation,
transmission, distribution and retailing has experienced remarkable growth with the advent of
new technologies in the current competitive market. it would be better with keeping up to date
on where their utility stands up to now concerning competitors and whether a utility is headed
in the right direction to achieve its ultimate goals. Therefore, monitoring utility's performance
through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will help to evaluate their performance and reflect
their operational problems. Further, comparing their performance with other utilities can also
be done by using their own KPIs and available KPIs on analytics of external reports or industrial
publications.
2.1.2.2 List of proposed key performance indicators
KPIs are quantitative activity and profitability measures that can be used to set baseline
performance and implement strategies for many industries including utilities. They can be
deferring from industry to industry, business to business due to their different operational
strategies and future expectations. These are the proposed key performance indicators for
evaluating the performance of CEB & LECO with considering available data on their past
publications.
 Retail customers per km of LV line
 Distribution cost per customer
 Retail customers per km of distribution line
 Customers per km2 of a service area
 Line length per km2 of a service area
 LV customers per distribution substation
 Distribution cost per kWh
2.1.3 LV network modelling in Wennappuwa
During the 18 weeks of my training period, I had an opportunity to be a leader for the team who
were assigned to carry out a modelling study of a Low Voltage network in Wennappuwa, owned
by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), as base case of a new project, "Analysing Impacts of
Rooftop Solar PV Systems in LV Distribution Networks”. I was merely engaged in myself with
the documentation works and troubleshooting in feeder models designed by my colleagues
under this study. As per the requirement, Feeders including distribution transformer, customer

6
loads, and the existing rooftop solar PV models were individually modelled in the DIgSILENT
PowerFactory simulation platform using the field data and measurements by the team from the
Wennappuwa CEB branch. Appendix 6 presents the Feeder 3 model which was almost
completely done using the received data and its observed simulation results during the
troubleshooting. At the end of the study, we were able to come into the verification stage of
each feeder.
2.2 Literature review on Ancillary service support by Grid-scale Battery Energy
Storage system
Dr. Amila Wickramasinghe was assigned to do conduct a literature review on how Battery
energy storage systems are provided ancillary services to improving and enhancing and security
of electrical power systems as my research work. Also, at the end of the training, we were
supposed to do a presentation of our literature reviews. The following sections briefly describe
what I learned through conducting this study.
2.2.1 Grid-Scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
Installing grid-scale battery energy storage systems has been created a new trend in the global
electricity sector with the increasing need for power system flexibility coupled with the rapid
decline in the cost of storage technologies. The complete grid-scale battery energy storage
system comprises three parts: Battery modules and battery pack, Battery Management System
(BMS), and Power Conversion System (PCS). Also, the Capability of fast-acting, bidirectional
power flow, scalability and low maintenance cost of BESS make them ideal for Islanded
systems (off-grid) & rural electrification with RE deployments such as solar and wind.
2.2.2 Functionalities of BESS
Battery energy storage systems are capable of providing different ancillary services to the grid.
Under this study, I have focused on ancillary services such as Load shifting, Frequency
regulation, voltage regulation, and ramping support.
2.2.2.1 Frequency regulation
The frequency regulation is regulating the system frequency within the band specified in the
particular country's "grid connection code". Since the system frequency level depends on an
active power balance within the system, if the consumer demand cannot be filled by the
generated electricity system frequency will go down and if there is a remaining amount of
generated electricity after meetup the consumer requirement, the system frequency will rise.
Therefore, regulating the system frequency within an acceptable level becomes the main task
of any utility. Frequency regulation is mainly provided by ramping up and/or down of

7
generation assets that may take minutes rather than seconds in conventional power plants. But
the grid-scale battery energy storages are capable of doing that job in milliseconds as fast
reacting sink or source on demand.

Figure 2-3: Frequency regulation by grid-scale battery energy storage system

BESS will get a charge or discharge its stored energy unless the system frequency is not being
at out of the acceptable range as in Figure 2-3.
2.2.2.2 Voltage regulation
Voltage regulation is regulating the voltage at every point of the power system within the
acceptable range stated in the particular country's "grid connection code". Regulating voltage
should be taken more attention as the voltage is being unique to a certain place in a particular
system. Therefore, voltage support resources are needed to offset the effect caused by the
reactive power consumption of grid-connected equipment. Inability to fulfil the reactive power
requirement will cause the system voltage to collapse. Thus, voltage support through a reactive
power supply is desirable. Grid-scale battery energy storage systems with suitable advanced
inverters are capable of providing the required reactive power with or without charging or
discharging.
2.2.2.3 Ramping support
Due to the intermittency of variable renewable energy sources, sudden mismatches between
load and generation can occur. These mismatches can cause rapid frequency and voltage
fluctuations in the grid. Battery energy storage systems can respond faster than conventional
generators which are slow and may have grid synchronization delays due to start-up issues. In
such a way, BESS helps to smoothen the output of variable renewable energy sources and
control the ramp rate.

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2.2.3 Experience of other countries
At the present, there is a newest rend of installing BESS to ensure the reliability and quality of
supply has been arising in countries like California, South Africa, and the Maldives. As the
being main utility company in Sri Lanka, CEB also already started to think of installing BESS
at a pilot project level. Hornsdale power reserve in South Africa, Gateway storage project in
California and POISED project in the Maldives are evidence of BESS installation over the
world.
2.2.4 Power system simulation and result
Small simulations were done in the DIgSILENT Power Factory simulation platform to present
ancillary service support given by the grid-scale battery energy storage system. The designed
model is shown in Appendix 4.
2.3 Electrical installation tests
We, all five trainees were assigned to conduct a periodic inspection and testing of the electrical
installation/data/Wi-Fi of the RMA building under the guidance of Eng. Mr. Mahesh Ratnayake
by Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya. The following sections describe the different tests I involved to
complete this task.
2.3.1 Earth Leakage Resistance (ELR) test
For doing this test, we used the same RCD tester instead of ELR tester due to its unavailability
and the ELR tester was set up with 125 mA of pickup current at the beginning of the testing
procedures, and 1 second of tripping time. Also, tests conducted at the Main Distribution Board
(MDB) near the parking area of RMA are presented in the Appendix 5. The primary protection
for subciruits is provided by the 30 mA RCD in each DB. Secondary protection for sub-circuits,
and protection of DB bus bars, feeder cables from the main DB to DBs, and the main DB, are
provided by the ELR in the main DB.
2.3.2 Residual Current Device (RCD) test
Before carried out the testing procedure, Residual Current Device (RCD) has to be visually
inspected. Then devices can be checked by the test trip button. Figure 2-4 shows the "UNI- T
Digital RCD Tester (UT580 Series)” we used at RMA. Also, the amount of fault current and
the defined tripping time for a particular RCD is expressed in the RCD itself. When visually
inspect the RCD tester, the tester will create an artificial earth fault which results in a defined
earth leakage current, and measure the time taken to trip. Thus, we can check whether the RCD
is working properly or not. After carried out this visual inspection, I and my two colleagues
were involved with checking electrical sockets in the first and third floors using an RCD tester.

9
If the socket is correctly connected green blub will light up with the beep sound, otherwise, the
red bulb will light up.

Figure 2-4: Digital RCD tester

2.4 Presentations
Several presentations for trainees were conducted by the engineers from RMA at the beginning
of the training period. The sections describe the knowledge I learned from those presentations.
2.4.1 Introduction to Sri Lanka energy sector
The presentation on "Introduction to Sri Lankan energy sector" was done by Ms. Madara
Polgampola, one of the project engineers at RMA. During this session, I was able to learn about
the organizational structure of the Sri Lankan energy sector which is mange by the Ministry of
Power Energy and Business Development (MOPE&BD) and the Ministry of Petroleum
Resources Development (MPRD). Also, I had a chance to know the operations of each
institution established under MOPE&DB and MPRD in detail. MOPE&BD and MPRD are
those who are responsible for upstream and downstream activities of the electricity sector and
that of the petroleum sector in Sri Lanka. The electricity industry and as well as the petroleum
industry are almost owned by state corporations.
2.4.2 Introduction to Solar PV systems
"Introduction to Solar PV system" presentation was done by one of the project engineers at
RMA, Eng. Mahesh Rathnayake. During this presentation, I learned about the basic knowledge
of solar technologies and how to design solar PV system to supply the total usage of own house
by practicing with small exercises. When looking at a solar PV module from the top, it has a
glass, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) film layer to avoid reflections, solar cells and then again
EVA film and finally a back sheet to work as a moisture barrier, mechanical protection, and
electrical insulation. When solar radiation hits on semiconductor materials in its PV cell,
electrons will absorb the energy from the sunlight and thereby they will become free and that

10
will form electric energy. Every type of solar module has its unique own characteristic curve.
Figure 2-5 shows the typical characteristic curve of a solar model. Moreover, the behaviour of
the curve depends on the change in irradiance and temperature.

Figure 2-5: The typical characteristic curve of the solar model

2.5 Field visit to Mampuri wind farm

Under industrial training at RMA, we have visited the Mampuri wind farm and were assigned
to make a report on Mampuri 1 power plant. Along with this field visit, the presentation on
“Introduction to wind power” also was done by a project engineer at RMA, Eng. Mahesh
Rathnayake to give a basic idea of wind power generation before we visit the Mampuri wind
farm. During this presentation, I learned about the basic knowledge of wind turbine
technologies. The following sections briefly describe the details I observed during the field visit.
2.5.1 Introduction
Mampuri wind farm was the first commissioned wind power project in Sri Lanka located next
to the Lakvijaya power station on the castle belt of Puttalam owned and operated by Senok (Pvt)
Ltd. As the first stage of the project, Mampuri 1 with eight 1.25 MW Suzlon wind turbines was
constructed and connected to the national grid from 2010. Then Mampuri 2&3 consisting of ten
2.10 MW Suzlon wind turbines were added to the national grid four years later, in 2014. Since
the total capacity of the wind farms became 31 MW, those three wind farms were registered
under three different company names, namely Senok Wind Power, Senok Wind Energy, and
Senok Wind Resource as the Sri Lankan government only allows projects up to 10 MW.

11
2.5.2 Structure of wind turbine
Although the plant is owned by Senok (Pvt) Ltd, the manufacturer of wind turbines in Mampuri
I is Suzlon. Those wind turbines are manufactured in India. All the wind turbines are tubular.
Furthermore, this design is done to operate effectively with low maintenance costs. The height
from the bottom to the hub is 80 m and the turbine blades are 31 m in length. The diameter is
64m. These blades are fully integrated designs. The structure is surrounded by walls to minimize
corrosion due to sea wind. The ratio of gearbox inside the nacelle of turbines in Mampuri 1 is
1:75 and in both Mampuri 2 & 3 are 1:95. Also, both types of turbines have a lifetime of 20
years as stated by the manufacturers.
2.5.3 Generator arrangements
The generator type used in Mampuri 1 is a 1.25 MW Synchronous Induction generator and in
Mampuri 2 &3 are 2.1 MW slip ring induction generators. All generators are connected to the
turbine using a fluid coupler and a gearbox with a gear ratio and their synchronous speed is
1500 rpm. Higher wind speeds are maintained in Mampuri 1 using rotor lock mechanism and
in Mampuri 2 & 3 using resistance box.
2.5.4 Pitch control mechanism
The angle between the turbine blade and the plane of rotation can be identified as the pitch of a
wind turbine. For every wind speed, there is a definite pitch angle that optimizes the output
power. Pitch angles that are greater than or less than this value decrease power output. The pitch
control mechanism refers to the monitoring process and the adjustment of the angle of the wind
turbine's rotor blades and thus controlling the rotational speed of the turbine. Each blade
contains an electric motor to change the angle at which the wind hits the blade. In Mampuri, all
turbines' blades can be pitched from 900 to 00 degrees. During start-up, the blade adjusts its
pitch angle from 900 to 00.
2.5.5 Plant controlling system
In the Mampuri wind power plant, plant controlling happens using a centralized controlling
system, and that can be utilized to see real-time data that is taken out from the different
components. All the turbines are also connected with fibre optic cables. Apart from the
aforementioned, there are separate control units for each turbine that controls the
synchronization and other significant aspects. Furthermore, ring main units are there to isolate
groups of turbines when needed.

12
3 CONCLUSION
I believe joining Resource Management Associates (Pvt) Limited as a trainee for 18 weeks
training period was the first turning point in my professional career where I had many
opportunities to improve myself with knowledge, professionalism, ethics, discipline, and many
more under the supervision of Dr. Amila Wickramasinghe, the project director in RMA.
Since the second wave of corona pandemic was begun at the beginning of our industrial training
program, we were mostly allocated for work from home. But with the guidance of Dr. Tilak
Siyambalapitiya and support from him and his staff, we were able to successfully concluded as
more than we accepted.
During the RMA training, I had opportunities to engage myself with many ongoing local and
international projects which cover different areas of expertise. Installing a battery energy
storage system in Addu city which RMA is providing energy consultancy services is the first
international project I engaged myself in under the supervision of Dr. Amila Wickramasinghe.
Under this project, I was assigned to model the model to see the impact of installing a 3C battery
energy storage system as a part of the existing grid that has been installed under the “POISED”
project. In the beginning, I thought it was a very difficult task to achieve. But Dr. Amila always
guided me to achieve the task in my best and improve my self-confidence. My literature review
"Ancillary service Ancillary service support by Grid-scale Battery energy Storage system" was
also conducted under the supervision of Dr. Amila Wickramasinghe. This study along with the
above task helped me to improve my knowledge of battery energy storage systems and my
analytical thinking while making me capable of using the "DIgSILENT" Power Factory
simulation platform. Also, "Proposing Key Performance Indicators (KPI) List for CEB and
LECO" is one of the ongoing local projects initiated during our training period, and under this
project, I was assigned by Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya to prepare a list of Key Performance
Indicators that can be proposing for CEB and LECO to evaluate their performance with the
guidance of Mr. Swetha Perera. It gave me a chance to refer and study the foreign countries'
utility performance standards and procedures and also had a broader understanding of the Sri
Lankan power sector. Apart from them, I had a chance to be the leader of the team who was
assigned to do a modelling study of the Low Voltage network in Wennappuwa for the main
project of “Analysing Impacts of Rooftop Solar PV Systems in LV Distribution Networks”. It
also helps me to improve my leadership and reporting skills as well as modelling skills.
Engaging myself with the above projects under the supervision of various professionals helped

13
me to improve my engineering knowledge as well as my soft skills like communication skills,
interpersonal skills, and management skills.
Moreover, we had several sessions covering particular facts related to the Electricity sector and
we were also assigned to do some presentations to the company as well. It helps us to develop
our presentation skills and report writing skills as well. Even we were done more than 75% of
the RMA training period due to the pandemic situation, we had at least one meeting on our
working progress of assigned tasks with our training supervisors and other task in-charges.
Also, Dr. Siyambalapitiya and his staff in RMA always tried to share their knowledge and
experiences without any doubts with the trainees and motivates them to do their best. So, I
believe that I was very lucky to be one of the trainees under the guidance of Dr. Tilak
Siyambalapitiya at RMA that was one of the greatest experiences throughout the educational
journey I never had before.

14
SECTION B
4 INTRODUCTION TO TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT
4.1 CEYLON ELECTRICITY BOARD (CEB)
Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), a corporate body which is responsible for electricity
generation, transmission, and distribution in Sri Lanka affiliated to the Ministry of Power,
Energy and Business Development, was established in 1969 under the Parliament Act No 17 of
1969, has been regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL).
4.1.1 Main functions of CEB
As a being the largest organization in the electric utility industry in Sri Lanka, CEB is
responsible to develop and supply quality and reliable electricity to all its end customers at an
affordable price. At the present, they have untaken the responsibility of generating, transmitting,
and distributing electricity together with generation and transmission planning to full fill the
national electricity requirement while being the sole transmission licensee.
4.1.2 The organizational structure of CEB
The organizational structure of CEB is shown in Appendix 7.
4.1.3 SWOT analysis of CEB
4.1.3.1 Strength
Owning the monopolistic market with more than 6 million consumer’s network of the
Electricity sector in Sri Lanka is considered as the biggest strength of CEB. Focusing on
improving customer satisfaction by adopting new technology trends such as mobile apps and
Short Message Service (SMS) alert services also will strengthen the CEB. Moreover, having
high skilled-experienced multidisciplinary personalities within the organization is also added
advantage to withstand the competitiveness and to maintain the leadership of the future
electricity sector.
4.1.3.2 Weaknesses
The dependency of the national electricity generation of CEB on thermal oil power can be
mentioned as the main weakness of the organization as its cost of generation is being high and
it can be reduced only in rainy seasons where large hydropower plants can operate at their
maximum capacity. Also having a broad hierarchical structure within CEB makes the decision-
making process more time-consuming and involves a lot of documentation and paper works.
4.1.3.3 Opportunities
Hybridizing the power generation with renewable energy resources such as wind, solar and
biomass along with installing Battery Energy Storage systems will create opportunities for CEB

15
to expand its scope of generation. Further, it could take necessary actions to ensure proper
implementation of LTGEP, and thereby CEB will have the potential to prevent future power
crises. Also focusing on reducing network losses through adopting newly emerging concepts
like smart grid and Demand Side Management (DSM) will help to improve the performance of
CEB’s network.
4.1.3.4 Threats
Fluctuating fuel prices in the global energy market will cause to have a significant impact on
the financial performance of CEB as its generation mainly depend on the thermal-based power
plant at the peak time. The influence from the politicians, general public, environmentalists,
and other pressure groups on making it necessary to implement policies in the LTGEP also can
be identified as a serious threat as a being government institution, it has a predefined procedure
to be followed when taking certain actions.
4.1.4 Usefulness to the country from CEB
CEB is being the pioneering institution with more than 50 years of excellent service in the
electricity energy sector of Sri Lanka by providing an invaluable service for the development
of the economy and to the day-to-day activities of the public.
4.1.5 Suggestions to improve performance
As for the suggestions to improve the performance of Ceylon Electricity Board, it will be better
if they can work more independently without relying on political decisions to expand their work
scope while giving benefits to its customers. Also, as a being the pioneering institution in the
Sri Lankan energy sector, they have to pay attention to energy efficiency improvement
programs together with supply & demand-side management. Moreover, as we are merely
dependent on imported fuels for electricity generation, CEB has to pay their attention to
implement candidate power plants as scheduled in their Long Term Generation Expansion Plan
(LTGEP) and bring them into service with the national grid as soon as possible to meet the
incremental customer demand. Also. They can focus on the research and development side on
clean electricity productions and newly emerging trends in the field such as smart grid, demand
response, demand-side management, and smart metering with those who are responsible for
respective fields.

16
4.2 LANKA ELECTRICITY COMPANY (PVT) LIMITED
Lanka Electricity Company (Private) Limited (LECO), was established in 1983 with the
financial contribution of the Asian Development Bank and the technical support of Becca
Worley International to standardize electricity distribution in the suburbs of Colombo. At the
present, 54.8% of its shares are owned by the CEB, 43.8% by the Treasury, and the remainder
by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and other local authorities.
4.2.1 Main functions of LECO
As mentioned above LECO was established to uplift the standards of electricity distribution in
certain areas which was then an ill-managed system and they have succeeded in constructing
and maintaining a distribution network that powers more than 500,000 customers. It is the only
distribution licensee apart from the CEB and its functions are carried out under four main
departments;
 Operations - System operation, Customer service, Branch operation.
 Engineering - System development, Regulatory, Projects.
 Finance - Treasury accounting, Financial accounting.
 Human Resources - Personal management, Internal audit.
These functions are conducted through the LECO Head Office along with the seven branch
offices and the twenty-three Customer Service Centres (CSCs) located in LECO operated areas
namely, Negombo, Kelaniya, Kotte, Nugegoda, Moratuwa, Kalutara.
4.2.2 The organizational structure of LECO
The organizational structure of LECO is shown in Appendix 8.
4.2.3 SWOT analysis of LECO
4.2.3.1 Strength
Keeping the distribution losses below 5% better than the CEB in the only owned distribution
region 5 which has higher customer density can be considered as the major strength of LECO.
Moving forward with the newest technological trends like mobile apps, SMS services. Smart
meters and Geographical Information System (GIS) better than CEB added advantages to level
up the customer satisfaction which becomes the great strength of LECO. The capability of
supply quality and reliable electricity to end customers with overcoming pre-informed and
uninformed power interruptions within a short duration help LECO to gain a good reputation
over the years. Having ell experienced and qualified multi-disciplinary professionals in the
research and development sector will lead to improving its quality of service. As a being private
institution in the electricity sector, LECO has less influence on political parties and the general

17
public which can become a strength within the organization. Installed distribution transformers
with a small capacity for the electricity requirement of the small region in the distribution region
also added the strength to ensuring the reliability of the supply as they can isolate only a
particular area from the main distribution network.
4.2.3.2 Weaknesses
Operating in only distribution region 5 can be considered as the main weakness of LECO that
will impact its regular electricity distribution activities as it has to bear the interruptions in
generation and transmission since electricity for distribution is purchased directly from CEB.
Further, this will affect the reliability of the electricity supply by LECO. Moreover, even being
a private electricity utility, LECO has to operate under the tariff structures decided by PUCSL
which limits the profitability of the company.
4.2.3.3 Opportunities
Since LECO has already started to study and implements the pilot projects with the idea of
improving the quality and reliability of the customer service, introducing smart grid concepts
will create opportunities to expand the scope of LECO in the future electricity sector. Also,
smart electronic meters that are made by the "ANTE LECO Meter factory” owned by LECO
will create good opportunities to expand their meter market and improve the profitability of
LECO as they are the only ones who supply meters to both utility companies, LECO and CEB.
4.2.3.4 Threats
Frequency attention and maintenance on the distribution lines especially in coastal areas has
become a threat to LECO. Also, the dependency upon CEB to purchase electricity is affecting
the reliability of supply by LECO.
4.2.4 Usefulness to the country from LECO
As being a distribution licensee other than CEB, LECO has become an important player in the
distribution sector due to its better performance and helped to reduce the complexity of CEB
by providing an electricity supply to urban areas. Introducing smart meters to the nation by the
ANTE LECO Factory owned by LECO help to reduces the meter reading cost and customer to
identify own consumed pattern by himself.
4.2.5 Suggestions to improve performance
As for performance improvement, focusing on further performance improvement of existing
smart metering technology will add many advantages to the future career of LECO. Also, as it
is being a profit-oriented private institution in the electricity sector, they can focus on getting
few areas to be controlled under them if it is possible.

18
5 TRAINING EXPERIENCES
This section describes my training experiences at Upper Kotmale power station, Transmission
and Maintenance (Northern) and Colombo City under Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and at
Ja-Ela training centre, Nugegoda branch office, and Maharagama customer service centre under
Lanka Electricity Company (Pvt) Limited during the six weeks of training period starting from
8th February 2021 to 19th March 2021.
Table 5-1: Training schedule for the period starting from 8th February 2021

Training Establishment Training locations Training duration

Upper Kotmale Power (08/02/2021-19/02/2021)

Station

Ceylon Electricity Board Transmission Operation & (22/02/2021-25/02/2021)

(CEB) Maintenance 26th Feb 2021 was Poya
Holiday

Colombo City (15/03/2021-19/03/2021)

The training centre, Ja-Ela 01/03/2021

Lanka Electricity Company Branch Office, Nugegoda (02/03/2021-05/03/2021)
(Pvt) Limited Customer Service Centre, (08/03/2021-12/03/2021)
Maharagama

5.1 Upper Kotmale Power Station

Upper Kotmale power station is one of the hydropower plants in the Mahaweli complex which
has been connected with the national electricity grid from 1985 with 150MW plant capacity.
We were assisted by Operation, Electrical maintenance, Control & Instrumentation, and
Mechanical Engineers as per the schedule given by Mr. Rasitha Peiris, the Chief-Engineer of
Upper Kotmale Power Station (UKTPS) during the two weeks of training period starting from
8th February 2021 to 19th February 2021. At the end of the training, we have done a presentation
on the knowledge I learned during the training and faced on the test paper. The following
sections describe the knowledge I gained at the Upper Kotmale Power Station.

19
5.1.1 Power station arrangement
The following sections describe how Upper Kotmale Power Station is arranged to give its
contribution to meet the national electricity requirement as a member of the Mahaweli complex
as shown in Figure 5-1.

Figure 5-1:Upper Kotmale Power station arrangement

5.1.1.1 Intake Dam
The concrete gravity-type dam located near the Thalawakelle town has been built by crossing
the Kotmale Oya with 7 m of width, 35.5 m of height, and 180 m of length. The dam has 5
spillway gates with 3300 m3/s of maximum discharge (660 m3/s per spillway gate) operated by
hydraulic jacks and with a height of 12 m, width of 10 m. The fifth spillway gate consists of
two individually operated sub gates which are called flap gates and radial gates. The flat gate
in the top half of the fifth spillway gate is used especially in flood situations to control the water
level. Moreover, there are two additional gates to remove sand and mud from the reservoir and
to release water to the St. Clair waterfall. The gate used to remove sand and mud beside the
fifth gate is called the sand flush gate.

Figure 5-2: Upper Kotmale Intake Dam

20
5.1.1.2 Reservoir
The run of the river-type reservoir with live storage of 0.8 MCM (Total storage: 1.2MCM) has
been constructed by building the intake dam near Thalawakelle.
 Normal tail water level: 703 m
 Minimum operating level: 1190 m
 Full supply level: 1194 m
5.1.1.3 Intake gate

Figure 5-3: Intake gate

The water stored by building the dam across the Kotmale Oya is going through the intake gate.
The intake gate is fully open always unless emergency. Also if the inflow rate is taken at
Agarapathana and Nanu Oya exceeds 450 m3/s, the intake gate will close.
5.1.1.4 Tunnel system
After stored water enters through the intake gate, then it enters into the horseshoe-shaped low-
pressure tunnel (Head race tunnel), and then takes 12.9 km distance with 400:1 inclination to
enters into the 793m lengthy high-pressure tunnel (Penstock) and then reaches the entrance of
the powerhouse at Niyamgamdora, main inlet valve. Also, the headrace tunnel is fully made of
stones and concrete and penstock is armed with steel rings. There is an upstream surge chamber
at the point which meets the headrace tunnel and penstock to protect the penstock from
incoming pressure strikes. Also, when there is a fault or maintenance work at the turbine side,
high pressure can have developed inside the penstock as it has filled with water and the main
inlet valve is closed. The developed pressure will release by the chamber as it has the ability to
balancing the inside and outside pressure from getting its water level high. Further, it also helps
to get water to the powerhouse before the river water coming where the generator is getting the
start.

21
5.1.1.5 Main Inlet Valve (MIV)
The main Inlet Valve works as a gate valve, an isolating valve in the water-conducting system
of the hydropower plant, and is installed before the water enters into the spiral casing of the
turbine. Two types of MIV are available in the world such as butterfly-type (up to 200m), and
spherical type (more than 200m). The spherical type MIV of 1.45 m diameter is used in the
UKTPS and is operated by a pressure oil-driven servomotor.

Figure 5-4: The outside appearance of one main inlet vale

Also, there are two sealing rings which are called upstream sealing ring (Maintenance seal) and
downstream sealing ring (Service seal) to seal the MIV in the closed position. Upstream Sealing
Ring can operate manually and has use during maintenance for additional safety. Downstream
Sealing Ring can operate remotely and is uses in day-to-day operations. Sealing rings are
operated by pressure water lines from the penstock, and have interlocks with the MIV. Hence,
both sealing rings must be in an open position for the MIV to open.
5.1.1.6 Francis turbine arrangement
After water enters into the powerhouse through the MIV, it is getting into the spiral case of
turbine arrangement that helps to distribute water as evenly as possible through guide vanes to
the runner while keeping water pressure at the same level as in the penstock. Francis turbine
arrangement has been selected to operate the power plant at mostly in the peak at its high
efficiency to fulfil the customers' demand. Also, since the turbine output power depends on the
water flow discharge pass through the turbine and the head on the turbine, Francis turbines are
used in the UKTPS with keeping higher head. Apart from the spiral case, guide vanes, runner,
and draft tube are included in the turbine arrangement. Guide vanes are used to control the water
inflow to the runner according to the signals given by the governor system. All the guide vanes
are opened or closed by a similar amount by using a Guide Vane Operating Ring. After water
rotates around the runner, water will release to the horseshoe-shaped tailrace through a conical-

22
shaped draft tube. A draft tunnel should be filled with water as the fancies turbine has to operate
according to the Bernoulli principle. A draft tube is located just under the runner and allows to
deaccelerate the water flow existing and thereby than a runner will able to convert is excess
kinetic energy into static pressure. Specifications of a Francis turbine in UKTPS are as follows:
 Net head: 473.09 m  Rated speed: 600 rpm
 Output: 77 MW  Runaway speed: 1050 rpm
 Discharge: 17 m³/s  Runner blades:18
5.1.1.7 Down Stream surge chamber
Downstream surge chamber is located at the end of the draft tube and before the tailrace to:
 To stop the back force
 To balance the pressure inside the draft.
 To keep water inside the turbine even a generator is stopped.
 To protect the tailrace tunnel from the pressure surges
5.1.1.8 Generator arrangement
Two salient pole-type induction generators with 88 MVA of rated capacity at 0.85 of power
factor and 99.7 % of efficiency are used in UKTPS. The generated voltage of 13.8 kV at 50Hz
frequency is feed into three single-phase main transformers. Further, specifications of
generators used in UKTPS can be listed as follows:
 Rated active power: 75 MW  Insulation type: F
 Rated current: 3682 A  The direction of rotation: Clockwise
 Poles: 10  Primary winding connection: 2Y
 Rated speed: 600 rpm  Rated excitation Voltage: 150V
 Runaway speed: 1050 rpm  Rated excitation Current: 1200 A

5.1.1.9 Main Transformer units

Special type main transformer units were installed in UKTPS as in Figure 5-5 by combining
three 13.8 kV/ 220 kV single-phase transformers together with a common conservator tank to
step up the generated voltage 13.8 kV feeding on two generators to the 220 kV as there is no
much sufficient place inside the power cavern to allocate the big three-phase transformers. As
a result of installing single-phase transformer units, both main transformers have become into
YnD11 type that consists of characteristics in both single phase bank type and conventional
three phase transformer. Installing three single-phase transformer units will mitigate
uncertainties of not operating a three-phase transformer in case of any failure as remaining units
23
of single-phase bank transformers can meet the demand when any unit is in any failure. Also,
it will help to transport units from one place to other easily when a single-phase bank type is
chosen. otherwise, transportation expenses will be comparatively high.

Figure 5-5: One Main Transformer unit

5.1.1.10 Neutral Grounding Transformer (NGT)

Neutral Grounding Transformers are used to protect power transformers and generators from
damaging fault currents instead of using resistance grounding. Two induction generators in
UKTPS are grounded through two 13.8 kV/ 240V 37.8 kVA Neutral Grounding Transformers
separately. There is a generator protection relay between the neutral point of the NGT and the
ground and it can measure the 3rd harmonic voltage induced in the earthed line when 3 phases
are unbalanced. A signal of induced 3rd harmonic voltage will send to the control unit and
thereby the fault will clear in a few seconds.
5.1.1.11 Tailrace
After water comes through the draft tube then enters the horseshoe-shaped concrete lining
tailrace with a length of 700 m and a diameter of 2.5 m.

Figure 5-6: Tail Race

24
5.1.2 Generator start and stop sequence
The generator start sequence is beginning with conducting the check of proper operation of oil
circulation pumps and cooling water flows, the oil level of bearings, and the pressure of oil and
air tanks. After, a service seal of the Main Inlet valve (MIV) will open, spiral casing pressure
will establish, and thereby MIV will open. Then guide vanes will start to gradually open. When
guide vanes opening is increased up to 11 %, the runner will start to rotate. Next, when the
guide vanes' opening is increased up to 25%, runner speed will reach its rated speed (600 rpm).
Then guide vanes opening will decrease to 11 % and runner speed will stabilize at its rated
speed. Next, the rotor excitation will start by closing the field circuit breaker. Then generator
voltage will build-up to its rated value. After that, Generator Circuit Breaker (GCB) will close
by the auto synchronizer after checking necessary conditions at around 600 rpm. Then generator
unit will synchronize with the grid. If the ALR function has been selected by the operator, now
it will take over after the generator unit loaded up to 30 MW. If a generator runs below 30 MW
or more than 75 MW, turbulence in water will arise and thereby water bubbles will form and
go from high pressure to low pressure. Then their speed and volume will increase and get burst
due to its pressure releasing. With time, this will cause to making cavitation on the turbine
surface. The generator stop sequence is in reverse order of its start sequence. First, the load will
reduce from 30 MW to 5 W, and then GCB will open at 5 MW. Next, the field circuit breaker
will open and excitation to the rotor will stop, thereby a generator will slow down. In the 90%
of turbine speed, guide vanes will fully close and the speed of a turbine will be slow down
gradually. At 300 rpm (50% of speed), an electrical brake will apply and at 30 rpm (5% of
speed), an electrical brake will release and a mechanical brake will apply. Then, the mechanical
brake will release after the generator unit is completely stopped. Finally, MIV and its
downstream sealing ring will close and cooling pumps and oil circulation pumps will stop.
5.1.3 Generator Excitation system
Static excitation (carbon brush excitation) is used as the excitation method for each generator.
Generated 13.8 kV voltage is step down by the 13.8 kV/ 170 V Excitation Transformer (EXTR)
and send to the thyristor bank which can convert 170VAC to 150VDC. Converted 150VDC used
to excite the generator.

25
 Figure 5-7:Excitation system

For the blackout situation, there is a battery bank consisting of fifty-five 2 V batteries for excited
generators inside the battery bank room as in Figure 5-8. When generators are in black start
mode, they will supply power until 20% of the generation voltage (13.8 kV) is generated. Then
the battery bank will disconnect and the excitation will be given through the excitation
transformer

Figure 5-8: Battery bank inside the battery room

5.1.4 Operation modes of generators

Generator units in the Upper Kotmale power station are supposed to operate in three different
operating modes such as,
 Generation mode (G mode) for the regular commercial operation.
 Line charge mode (CH mode) for transformer line testing.
 Black Start mode (BS mode) for re-energizing the system after a totally, or partial
blackout.
5.1.5 Gas Insulated Switchyard (GIS)
A switchyard is a high voltage substation consisting of bus bars, Current Transformers (CTs),
Voltage Transformers (VTs), isolators, and circuit breakers. There are two types of switchyards
available in the world depending on the medium they use such as Gas Insulated Switchyard

26
(GIS) and Air Insulated Switchyard (AIS). An indoor Gas Insulated Switchyard (GIS) which
uses SF6 as good insulation preventing arcing has been constructed with a double bus bar system
in the Upper Kotmale Power Station due to lack of space availability as in Figure 5-9.

Figure 5-9: Gas Insulated Switchyard (GIS) in UKTPS

SF6 is used here because it's non-toxic and has steady atomic molecular properties at High
Voltage (HV), high cooling, and high arch quenching properties. Moreover, since the UKTPS
is an underground power station, generated 13.8 kV should be transmitted through bigger cables
to reducing losses. With installing GIS as a part of the power plant, the generated voltage can
be converted into 220 kV and small 220kV lines can be taken out from the powerhouse while
keeping minimum losses. Also, when comparing with an Air Insulated Switchyard (AIS), a Gas
Insulated Switchyard (GIS) consumes less time and operation and maintenance cost for
assembling and for maintenance. Even though, there are some cons of using SF6 as an insulation
medium such as requiring the high cost of installation and high skill knowledge and being very
strong greenhouse gas with long life in the atmosphere.
Moreover, the reason behind keeping a double bus bar system is to increase the redundancy
with intention of keeping the continuous operation of the system as if there is only one bus-bar
system is existing and if that is collapse somehow, the power station will be in failure of inability
to providing their service. Also, each bus bar has 5 bay controls which are named, Unit 1, Unit
2, Kotmale line 1, Kotmale line 2, and its bus coupler.
5.1.6 Outdoor gantry yard
UKTPS has been maintained the gantry yard outside after the cable is coming through the cable
tunnel as in Figure 5-10 before they connect to the national grid. The gantry yard helps to give
protection against lighting surge for the under cabling system
that coming in long distance without any protection schemes. Also, it serves as the place to
combine the underground cabling system with the transmission system which has a bearing

27
conductor system. To do those duties, the switchyard is arranging with CTs, VTs, circuit
breakers, isolators, and surge arrestors in an outdoor environment.

Figure 5-10: Cable tunnel

5.1.7 Service Station Power Supply

A service station power supply is required to be maintained inside the power station since it
plays a major role as a backup power source when there are any interruptions and breakdowns
due to sudden failures to ensure continuous operation. Meanwhile, all auxiliary services in the
Upper Kotmale Power Station are feeding on this service station power supply arrangement that
included four distribution boards (Unit 01, Unit 02, Common ground, and Common under-
ground auxiliary DBs) with four main power sources such as two main transformers (MTR1 &
MTR2), two 33 kV transmission lines (Lindula line & Henrold line), and diesel generator. The
supply from the main transformers is used as a service station power supply. Next, the service
station power supply is taken from two 33 kV power lines when both main transformers are not
at work. If those 33 kV lines are not available, the service station power supply is going with a
diesel generator. However, only one auxiliary unit rather than common ground and common
underground DBs is powered when auxiliary service power is taken from 33 kV lines or diesel
generators. This limitation is imposed by the 11 kV/ 400 V transformer’s capacity.
5.1.8 Bearing arrangement
According to the arrangement of bearings, Standard, Semi umbrella, and Umbrella bearing
arrangement types are available in the current world. Since the runaway speed of Francis
turbines in UKTPS is being in a considerably high speed (1050 rpm), a generator shaft is held
by two types of bearings (Trust bearing, and upper, lower, and turbine guide bearings) arranging
in a standard type. All Bearings are immersed in bearing oil tanks and oil acts as a heat

28
exchanger to reduce the heating effect. Thrust bearings support to hold the weight of the shaft
and guide bearings help to keep the shaft vertically while terminating its horizontal movements.
Also, trust bearings are made of Poly Ether-Ether Ketone(PEEK) polymer that makes an
important feature in Upper Kotmale Power Station.

Figure 5-11: Standard type bearing arrangement

5.1.9 SCADA System

SCADA is an acronym for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, a computer system for
gathering and analysing real-time data. Upper Kotmale Power Station has a SCADA system
which consists of 6 main control boards located in 3 places such as main control room, local
control room, and Kotmale control room. Two OPSS are located in the main control room to
access the plant bus through a server. The engineering data server has the control logic at all 6
control boards. If someone wants to change that logic, first he has to program the new logic
inside the engineering data server and then upload them to the respective servers.
5.1.10 Catchment areas
Since upper Kotmale Power station is a run of the river type hydropower station whose
operation pattern depends heavily on the inflow pattern of the Kotmale Oya, rainfall detecting
devices are installed at the rainfall measuring stations located in five catchment areas
(Ambewela, Nuwara Eliya Sandringham, Caledonia, and Thalawakelle) to calculate the inflow
to the river accurately. Otherwise, there will be a lot of unnecessary spilling. Apart from rainfall
measuring stations, there are three additional water level measurement stations in Nanu Oya,
Caledonia, and Thalawakale (Intake dam). Those measured data are first transmitted to the
repeater station at Gongalla and next to the Thalawalakele dam via Very High Frequency (VHF)
links (50 Hz) every 10 minutes, and then data is transmitted to the main control room at UKTPS,
Niyamgamdora every 10 minutes via microwave links.

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5.1.11 Social and environmental impact
The environmental impact assessment was conducted and several objections were faced before
starting to construct the Upper Kotmale power station in 2006. The environment assessment
identified key issues associated with the construction of the power plant, which addresses the
impact on St. Clair's falls aesthetics due to stream flow reductions, impact on biodiversity,
downstream water uses due to tunnelling and dewatering of streams, and social impacts on
affected people. As for solutions to address those objections, resettlement housing scheme
programs, constructing and developing other sanitary facilities, and daily discharging 47250m2
of water to the St. Clair waterfall during 5.00 am - 3.00 pm were introduced. Therefore, as per
the requirement, water will discharge to the St. Clair waterfall daily through discharging tunnel
locate near the Thalawakale intake dam as shown in Figure 5-12.

Figure 5-12: St. Clair discharge gate near to the intake dam

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5.2 Transmission Operation & Maintenance (Northern)
For the training under the Transmission Operation & Maintenance (Northern), we were
assigned to visit the KiribathKumbura Grid substation, Mallawapitiya Grid Sub Station, and
Pallekele Grid substation under the guidance of Electrical Engineers. The following section
briefly describes the knowledge I learned during one week of training period starting from 22nd
February 2021 to 26th February 2021 at KiribathKumbura Grid Substation, Mallawapitiya Grid
Sub Station, and Pallekele Grid Sub Station which are converting 132 kV into 33 kV under the
Transmission Operation & Maintenance (Northern).
5.2.1 Components of a Grid Substation
A grid substation is responsible for arranging a combination of many electrical components in
a way to step down the voltage from 220 kV/132 kV to 132 kV/33 kV and transmit power to
other Grid Substations (GSSs) or Primary Sub Stations (PSSs) for further distribution of
electricity while forming the link between generating stations and the transmission network.
The following sections briefly describe components we were observed during the training.
5.2.1.1 Surge Arrestors
Surge arrestors protect equipment in Sub Station from overvoltage transients such as lighting
surges by diverting the surge to earth. They can act as isolators at the normal conditions and as
conductors that have the ability to diverting surges to the earth and protect transformers and
other equipment.
5.2.1.2 Capacitive Voltage Transformer (CVTs)picture
A capacitor voltage transformer is a transformer used to step down extra-high voltages to low
voltages for measurement and protection purposes according to a particular ratio.
5.2.1.3 Isolators (Disconnectors)
Isolators are disconnecting switches that can use to isolate the particular circuit part only in no-
load conditions remotely or through controllers for maintenance purposes. Isolators provide the
visible appearance of whether the circuit is isolated or not.
5.2.1.4 Current Transformers
Currents also are not possible to measure directly current transformers are used to convert high
current values into measurable values according to the particular ratio for measurement and
protection purposes at grid substations.
5.2.1.5 Circuit Breakers (CBs)
Circuit breakers are used to disconnect a circuit remotely or manually at both on load or offload
conditions. A circuit breaker has an insulated chamber having 2 arms operated in a gap filled

31
with SF6, oil, air, or vacuum. Also, there are main types according to the operating mechanism
such as pneumatic, hydraulic, magnetic, and spring charge breakers. Circuit breakers in all grid
substations I visited have SF6 as arc quenching medium. Those arms are being closed in normal
operating conditions. When breaking the circuit, the arms of a CB are pulled apart and an arc
will strike between them. The displacement of moving arms is synchronized with the valve
which enters high pressurized SF6 gas and then gas absorbs free electrons in the arc path and
forms ions that do not act as a charge carrier.
5.2.1.6 Power Transformers
Power transformers are transformers installed in a GSS for its main purpose of stepping down
High Voltages (HV) (132 kV or 220 kV) to Medium Voltages (MV) (33 kV). Also, they are in
the Star-Delta type.
5.2.1.7 Earthing Transformers
A power transformer has no neutral point since its secondary side is delta-connected. Therefore,
an artificial neutral point has to be created at its secondary side by installing earthing
transformers.

Figure 5-13: Earthing transformer

5.2.1.8 Auxiliary Transformers

Auxiliary transformers are also one type of transformers installed in auxiliary power service
arrangements for maintaining auxiliary services within a GSS. Earthing transformers also can
be used as auxiliary transformers since their secondary winding can be used to have an
additional winding. But it is not in practice as high voltages can occur in a faulty situation.
5.2.1.9 Bus Bars
The incoming feeders are connected to the long bus bars. I have observed that a bus bar
arrangement in one GSS can be different from a bus bar arrangement in other GSS depending
on requirements as the bus bar arrangement in Pallekele GSS is being different from the bus bar
arrangement in KiribathKumbura and Mallawapitiya GSSs. Also, All GSS I visited used double

32
bus bar arrangement for redundancy as it gives the possibility of one bar operation in case of
other bus bars in failure or maintenance.
5.2.1.10 Earth switch
Earth switch is a switch that provides extra safety to the system by grounding the isolated bus
bar. Further several interlocks are available not to operate before CBs and an earth switch.
5.2.2 Switchgears
Switch gears are used to control, protect or isolate electrical equipment in a Grid Sub Station.
There are two types of switch gears are available as Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) and Air
Insulated Switchgear (AIS). Gas Insulated Switchgears are used gas as their insulation medium
and are installed inside the fully enclosed environment. But, Air Insulated Switchgear is used
air as its insulation medium. Therefore, they have been installed in an outdoor environment.
SF6 is used as a gas medium for GIS because it's non-toxic and has steady atomic molecular
properties at HV, high cooling, and high arch quenching properties. Installing GIS gives the
solution to the problem of lack of required space to install an AIS as equipment to be installed
will getting compacted in a small space due to the small area requirement of GIS. Also, when
comparing with an Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS), a Gas Insulated Switchgear consumes less
time for assembling and maintenance. But it requires a high cost of installation and high skill
knowledge.
5.2.3 Power Transformer Protection Components
5.2.3.1 Buchholz relay
The purpose of the Buchholz relay is to give protection to the transformer from internal faults
happening in the transformer like a short circuit, oil leakages. The relay operation happens due
to gasses that are emitted during the decomposition of t/f oil due to internal faults. Once the
Buchholz relay is activated, either alarm or trip, the transformer should be inspected thoroughly
to avoid any hazardous situations.
5.2.3.2 Conservator tank
The conservator tank is a cylindrical metallic drum that fitted above the power transformer. It
allows transformer oil to be conserved when it begins to expand due to the temperature rise and
ensures to immense all transformer active parts in oil. Air space inside the tank on top, allows
air to go in and out through the breather when the oil begins to expand and change the pressure
inside the conservator tank.

33
5.2.3.3 Tap changer
The output voltage varies according to the input voltage and the load. Tap changers are installed
at the HV side of the power transformer to varies the voltage by changing the turn ratio of the
transformer. The reason for installing a tap changer on the HV side is the current flow through
the HV side is comparatively lower than through the LV side and thereby it results in a low
spark. Also, there are two types of tap changers: On load tap changer (OLTC) and De- energized
tap changer (DETC).
5.2.3.4 Cooling Tubes and Fans
There are two types of cooling tubes and fans as Oil Natural Air Natural (ONAN) and Oil
Natural Air Forced (ONAF). Transformer oil is circulated through tubes either natural or forced.
In natural circulation, when the temperature rises hot oil rises to the top, and cold oil sinks
bottom, and thereby transformer oil will circulate. In forced circulation, an external pump is
used and cooling fans in the system automatically runs with the help of a relay device that can
sense the temperature. As a result, transformer oil will circulate.
5.2.3.5 Breather
A breather is a filter designed to ensure that the air entering the transformer is dry. If the
insulating oil contact moisture, it'll affect the paper insulation and cause internal faults as well.
Thus, installing a breather as a part of a power transformer is protected against insulation loss
due to condensation.

Figure 5-14: Breather

5.2.3.6 Radiators
Cooling tubes inside the radiator are used to cool the transformer oil by circulating through the
cooling tubes. Since the performance of the transformer depends on temperature. An efficient
cooling mechanism should be selected to ensure better performance in the transformer.

34
5.2.3.7 Oil temperature gauges and pressure gauges
Oil temperature gauges and pressure gauges are used to measure the temperature and the
pressure inside the transformer. If oil temperature and/ or pressure reach their harmful level,
gauges will send a signal to activate alarms.
5.2.4 Battery Bank & Battery Charger
110 V Battery bank consisting of fifty-five 2V battery modules and battery charger are installed
as a part of Grid Sub Station to get power supply to operate protective equipment and for other
auxiliary services in GSS even during blackout times. Apart from them, they have maintained
a 48 V battery bank consists of forty-four 2V batteries for communication purposes to ensure
the continuous operation of the substation.
5.2.5 Capacitor Bank
Capacitor banks are installed for power factor correction to provide reactive power to the
system, and for harmonics mitigation and ensuring voltage regulation.

Figure 5-15: Capacitor banks

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5.3 Colombo city
Colombo city is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka with high customer density and is operated
under the CEB Distribution Division (DD) 01. The main responsibility is to supply
uninterrupted service to more than 500,000 customers in Colombo City. There are two main
divisions under that objective. "Primary Substation Maintenance (PSM)" is responsible for
PSSs and "High Tension Maintenance (HTM)" is responsible for maintenance in Ring, Radial,
and Satellite distribution substations. The following sections describe the knowledge I received
and the experiences I had during one week of training period in Colombo City starting from
15th March 2021 to 19th March 2021.
5.3.1 Colombo City Distribution Network

Figure 5-16:Example diagram of Colombo city distribution network

Colombo distribution network has a different distribution network arrangement as in Figure

5-16 and is fed by one 220kV grid supply from a, three 132 kV grid supply from Dehiwala,
Kolonnawa, and Kelanithissa and one 33 kV grid supply from Kolonnawa. The distribution
network in Colombo City consists of 13 Primary Substations and 8 of them are 132 kV/ 11 kV
transmission primary substations (Grid Substations) and 5 of them are 33 kV/ 11 kV distribution
primary substations.
 Grid Substations – A, C, E, F, I, L, M, N
 Primary Substations – B, D, G, H, J

36
As shown in Figure 5-16, the Radial substation is a substation that is directly connected with a
primary substation. If a substation does not have a direct connection to a primary substation and
is fed by a radial sub or another ring sub it is called a ring substation. Also, a satellite substation
is a substation that is fed either by a radial or a ring substation. Moreover, radial Sub Stations
and Ring Sub Stations both are substations that consist of only switchgear panels. Not like them,
Satellite Sub Stations are substations which are having 11 kV/ 0.4 kV transformer and Ring
Main Unit (RMU).
5.3.2 Choosing an opened ring over a closed ring
Even though the distribution network in Colombo city has been designed in the closed ring
concept as in Figure 5-16, they follow an opened ring concept to ensure the one-directional
power flow, and thereby all substations are fed from only one end. Also, having an arrangement
as in Figure 5-16 will ensure the reliability of the service. When open circuit breakers are in
between two substations, loop impedance will reduce due to the presence of parallel lines.
Therefore, the fault level in opened ring arrangement will become lower than that in the closed
ring arrangement. Also, keeping a closed ring arrangement for an operation requires complex
protection schemes including directional protection relays, differential protection relays.
Considering all the reasons mentioned above it is more profitable when choosing an opened
ring arrangement over a closed ring arrangement for a distribution network.
5.3.3 Feeder pillars and mini pillars
Feeder pillars are the breaker panels that consist set of protective equipment and connections
between the output terminals of a distribution substation and input terminals of primary circuits
after the distribution substation.

Figure 5-17: Inside of a feeder pillar

Also, a one feeder pillar has two feeders that give the electricity supply coming from the bus
bar in the distribution substation. But, a feeder pillar is fed from one feeder if its inside bus

37
coupler is being coupled. Moreover, there are 2 types of feeder pillars are used in the Colombo
city distribution network namely, 8-way feeder pillars and 6-way feeder pillars. The distribution
voltage of a feeder pillar is three phases, 400V. Interconnectors (ICs) have been used to
maintains a virtual closed ring arrangement concept which improves the reliability of the supply
by enabling users to the nearest feeder pillar when a fault occurs.

Figure 5-18: Bus coupler in a feeder pillar

The distributor is used to give the connection of ordinary supply either through T joint for Single
Phase lines or by installing a mini feeder pillar. In practice, installing T joints for giving single-
phase lines will cause to occur faults in the distribution network in the future as distribution
cable should be cut and removed before installing a T joint. Therefore, Low Tension (LT) retail
supply and Low Tension (LT) bulk supply in Colombo city is given through a mini feeder and
a feeder pillar respectively rather than done through a T joint. Also, employing a mini feeder
pillar rather than a T joint will make easiness in maintenance, distribution as well as in fault
detection.
5.3.4 Ring Main Unit (RMU)
Ring main unit can be considered as a special device used in each satellite substation in the
Colombo City distribution network. It is typically a metal-enclosed set of switchgear used at
the load connection points of a ring-type distribution network and consists of two feeders, two
Load Break Switches (LBS), a High Tension Switch (HTS), and one outgoing to feed a
distribution transformer. A load break switch is a disconnect switch that has been designed to
provide breaking of only rated current. Thus, I cannot break fault currents (kA range). HT fuse
can be fused in presence of overcurrent. Also, it can operate as an isolator in the situation liken
where isolation of distribution transformer from the supply for maintenances is required. All
the switching functions of existing RMU types can do in an insulation medium such as oil, SF6,
or Air. Every customer in Colombo city is supplied with an additional feeder to get

38
uninterrupted service by installing a gas or an oil type RMU to ensure the "N-1 Redundancy
Criteria" throughout the network.
5.3.5 Neutral Grounding Resistor (NGR)
Neutral Grounding Resistors are installed between the primary/ grid transformer's neutral and
the ground to ensure safety and to avoid it frequently tripping off. Installing NGR will increase
the net resistance and high kA range of fault currents will avoid flowing through the transformer
and find another path to complete its earth loop. Neutral terminal should be disconnected from
the NGR in case of one transformer maintenance is happened where other transformers are also
connected with the same NGR. The reason behind this is that fault currents of other transformers
can flow through the NGR to the transformer which is undergoing maintenance
5.3.6 Cross-section of Under Ground (UG) cable
The underground cabling system in Colombo city has been developed in such a way that to
maintain the continuous supply for all customers without any interruption. Used cable types,
other specific components, and followed designing criteria are can be considered a reason for
that. In brief, radial substations, ring substations both are fed by 240 mm2 /3C/XLPE/SWA/Cu
cables, and satellite substations are fed through 95 mm2 /3C/XLPE/SWA/Cu cables. Table 5-1
shows the materials/ components consist inside the commonly used underground cable,
3C/XLPE/SWA/CU in cabling system and their objective.
Table 5-2:Materials/ Components inside the 240/3C/XLPE/SWA/CU UG cable and their
objectives

Materials/ Components Objective

Cu conductor To pass current through a conductor

Conductor screen Prevents discharging from the conductor to air pockets due to
irregularities in conductor shape. Semi-conductor material is
used here to maintain a gauss surface around the conductor.

XLPE insulation Helps to withstand the temperature generated due to the current-
carrying in the conductor as XLPE is thermosetting.

Insulation screen To avoid deformations in the XLPE insulation.

Cu tape screen To avoid electromagnetic interferences (the effect is minimized

in trefoil arrangement). The metallic screen is earthed to allow
fault current to flow through in case of a fault.

39
PP filler Fills the interstitial zones and holds the conductors in a relative
position to maintain the cable's circular cross-section.

Non-woven tape Helps to maintain the shape of the PP filler

XLPE inner sheath/ Holds the inner parts together and acts as a bedding for the
bedding armour.

Steel wired armour Provides tensile strength and impact resistance for the cable. An
alloy is used for the armour material to reduce the magnetic
effect

XLPE over sheath Provides overall protection to the inner parts of the cable

40
5.4 LECO Training Centre, Ja-Ela
On the first day of two weeks of training period under the Lanka Electricity Company (Pvt)
Limited, we were reported to the LECO training centre at Ja-Ela and we were able to visit a
transformer repair workshop and a meter laboratory there. Then I had the chance to train at the
LECO branch office, Nugegoda for a first week and the LECO Customer Service Centre (CSC),
Maharagama. Also, we were assigned to do a presentation on the knowledge we learned during
the training at the LECO at the end of the training. The following sections describe the
knowledge I got at the LECO training centre premises Monday, 1st March 2021.
5.4.1 Transformer types
The main manufacture currently installing transformers in the LECO distribution network is
LTL Transformers (Pvt) Limited. Step downs 11kV to 415V. All the transformers are used to
stepping down 11 kV to 415 V and core type transformers. Also, their winding is Dyn11 and
tapings are +2.5%, 0 -2.5% and -5%. Further, all installed transformers are sealed type and
thereby possibilities of oil leakage are being lowed. Single pole transformers have a preferred
rating of 100kVA, 160kVA, and 250kVA and are used as distribution transformers. Double
pole transformers have 400kVA and 650kVA ratings and are used for bulk supply.
5.4.2 Transformer testing
In LECO, several testing procedures are carried out for transformers to ensure the reliability
and quality of their service. The following sections describe the testing procedures I learned
and experienced during my LECO training period.
5.4.2.1 Transformer Insulation Test
An insulation test is done to identify the health of insulation material between conductive parts
inside a transformer and can be done by a Megger tester. As per the perspective of LECO, if an
insulation material of a transformer is in better conditions, insulation resistances between HV
terminal to LV terminal, HV terminal to transformer's body earth, and LV terminal to
transformer's body earth are being more than 600MΩ. If not, dielectric material should be
replaced or transformer's oil should have been filtered.
5.4.2.2 Transformer oil test
Transformer oil tests are performed to determine conditions of oil that have been in service for
some years. Also, there are several standards are available for carried out transformer oil tests.
LECO has been followed IEC 60156: 1995 standard among them. For conducting this test,
first, the transformer oil should have filled in the vessel of the testing machine with two
standard-compliant test electrodes with a clearance of 2.5mm. Then test voltage should be

41
applied and increased gradually. According to the standard, if the tested oil sample is in good
condition, its breakdown will not be happening before 40 kV. Also, this test should be
conducted repeatedly to obtain an average value of breakdown voltage.

Figure 5-19: Transformer Oil Tester (Manual)

5.4.2.3 Transformer continuity test

This test is done on both windings of the transformer for all tap positions to check whether is
there any break in windings. To conduct this test, the transformer must be completely
disconnected and need to set multi meters to read winding's resistance in Ohms. If windings are
in good conditions without any breakage resistance between each terminal in each winding
should be equal. (AB=BC=CA at transformer primary side & ab=bc=ca at transformer
secondary side)

Figure 5-20:Transformer continuity test

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5.5 LECO Branch Office, Nugegoda
During four days of training at the Nugegoda LECO branch office, I had an opportunity to know
the standards used in LECO, how estimates are prepared, and familiarize myself with the LV
design software used in LECO. The following sections describe the knowledge I learned during
four days of training at the Nugegoda LECO branch office.
5.5.1 Job costing
All the construction work undertaken by LECO is conducted according to the LECO –
Construction manual. Before commissioning any jobs by LECO should be estimated as per the
cost manual of the corresponding year revised by the System Development Unit of LECO. This
is called job costing. At present, an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system which is called
"Pronto" has been used in LECO for easiness of doing this. Further, material cost, labour cost,
contractor's cost, and overhead cost are considered as the main four cost categories associated
with job costing in LECO.
5.5.2 Supply and Customer Categories
In brief, 30A single-phase supply, 30 A three-phase supply, 60A three-phase supply, and
1000kVA, 160 kVA, 400 kVA, and 1000 kVA bulk supply are supply categories provided to
customers by LECO. Also, Domestic, Religious and charitable, General Purpose, Industrial,
and Bulk customers are customer categories used in LECO and they have been charged
according to electricity tariff structure.

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5.6 LECO Customer Service Centre, Maharagama
Maharagama LECO Customer Service Centre is one of the Customer Service centres operated
under the guidance of the Nugegoda LECO Branch Office. LECO customers have the facility
to complain or call CSS about any issue related to their electrical supply. Necessary actions
were taken upon such a complaint. Not only customer requests but also emergency breakdowns
and similar situations are also handled through corresponding CSC. Apart from them, required
measurements such as daily load requirements of each feeder, monthly kWh, and KVA usage
of transformers for updating the system to make loss target reports are also taken by the
corresponding CSS. Moreover, since connections from Load Breaker Switches (LBS) in the
primary substation to the customer's meter are owned by LECO, maintenance and replacements
of all the equipment between them are carried out by the breakdown team of the corresponding
CSS. The following sections describe the knowledge I learned through my experience at the
LECO customer Service Centre, Maharagama during a week starting from 8th March 2021 to
14th March 2021.
5.6.1 Important protection/ Disconnection equipment
5.6.1.1 Drop Down Lift Off (DDLO)
Drop Down Lift Off can be found in the HV side of the transformer, with capacitor bank or in
series with transmission lines. It is a device that uses to protect transformers or electrical devices
from high current surges and can consider it as a combination of fuse and a switch. Further, it
can provide a wide range of protection for overhead distribution systems rated from 10kV to
36kV. When high currents flow in the primary side of the transformer, the fusing element in a
DDLO will get melt. So that, the connection will be cut off due to gravity. Since the fusing
element (Fuse link) is melted down, it is considered an electrically weak element.

Figure 5-21: Drop Down Lift-Off (DDLO).

44
5.6.1.2 Disconnecting switches
Disconnecting switches are usually placed at the Low Voltage (LV) side of the distribution
transformers and consist of High Rupturing Capacity (HRC) fuses. The fuse ratings have been
selected to provide overload & short circuit protection for the LV circuit & short circuit
protection for the transformer respectively.

Figure 5-22:Disconnecting Switch & High Rupturing Capacity (HRC) fuse

Under normal operating conditions, the current through the fusing element does not provide
enough energy to melt since the produced heat has been observed by the surrounding silica
sand. But, if a huge current flows through the fuse, then it melts and vaporizes the fusing
elements before the fault current achieves the climax. The time is taken to reach the point where
melt and vaporize the fusing elements is known as the pre-arching time. The high prospective
fault current is ‘cut off’ although an arc will still be formed. And the heat produced by the arc
will cause fuse the fusing element with silica sand while absorbing heat by silica. The taken to
extinguish the arc and stop the further current flow is known as the total clearance time.
5.6.1.3 Load Breaker Switch (LBS)
LECO has an interconnected distribution system with the main purpose of providing alternative
supplies and transferring the loads when one side of the supply is failed. Load Breaker Switches
are devices used mainly in LECO's main feeders to open the feeder by isolating one side of the
supply from another. Also, an individual LBS can be loaded up to 630 kVA. Further, the
breaking of LBS occurs in the air or gas chamber. LBSs whose breaking occurs in the air are
known as manual switches and breaking occurs in a gas chamber is known as remotely
controllable switches.
5.6.1.4 Load Breaker Cut-out (LBC)
Load Breaker Cut-outs are similar to LBSs but can only be loaded up to small KVA values.
LBSs are usually installed at the beginning of spur lines and can be operated in on load

45
conditions. Also, there are a solid fuse link and an arching suit inside an LBS and they can
absorb the energy of the arch produced. Then, a fuse will break up.
5.6.1.5 Auto Recloser
Auto Recloser is a circuit breaker with a programmable algorithm that can automatically close
the breaker when there is a permanent or momentary fault (transient fault) such as a short circuit.
An auto recloser senses when a fault occurs and it will shut off the power. A few seconds later,
the recloser will make and power up the circuit. Then recloser automatically tests the line and
check whether the fault has been removed. If a fault remains, the recloser will shut off the circuit
again. Then if the fault is still present after three such tries, the recloser will permanently break
the circuit.

Figure 5-23: Auto Recloser

5.6.2 Solar Metering Scheme

LECO also motivates its customers to install solar systems at their premises and provides the
following three metering schemes for them.
5.6.2.1 Net Metering
The electricity bill will be prepared giving credit to the export and to charge the consumer for
the difference between the import and the export. If the export is more than the import in any
billing period, the consumer will receive an export credit and will be credited towards his next
month's consumption.
5.6.2.2 Net Accounting
According to the net energy usage of the consumer, if exports are greater than imports, the
customer gets money for the units which are exported to the system and has to pay for the excess
energy consumed.
5.6.2.3 Net Plus
Total generation of electricity from the solar PV power plant will be exported directly through
a dedicated meter for which the customer will be paid. The energy import will be measured
through a separate import meter and will be billed as per the existing electricity tariff.

46
5.7 LECO Head Office, Colombo.
On the last day of two weeks of the training period at Lanka Electricity Company (Pvt) Limited,
we were reported to the LECO head office, do a presentation on the knowledge we learned
during the training at the LECO.
5.7.1 Load Forecasting
Load forecast is prepared annually for five years based on the past sales data. A forecast is done
for 5 years and data related to 10 previous years are taken into consideration. This forecast is
used to organize planning activities and to make financial decisions. It is also being referred by
the PUCSL along with other reports when deciding the LECO's buying price of energy from
CEB.
5.7.2 Distribution control centre
The distribution system in the LECO region is controlled by their distribution control centre in
the LECO Head office. There is a mimic diagram of the LECO distribution network which
includes all substations, distribution feeders, transformers, and current switch positions in the
control centre. Normally Opened, Normally Closed, Abnormally Open, Abnormally Close are
the four switching positions available and they will depict using a colour code for each position
in the diagram. Also, the distribution control centre of LECO has the responsibility of making
correct decisions on the opening and closing of LBSs during fault identification and
rectification, load transfers and interruptions, and also during breakdowns in a collaboration
with CEB.

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6 CONCLUSION
During 24 weeks of industrial training, I had a chance to undergoing with 6 weeks of training
at Ceylon Electricity Board for 4 weeks and 2 weeks at Lanka Electricity Company (Pvt)
Limited. The experiences I had at the CEB and LECO are different from my experiences at
Resource Management Associates (Pvt) Limited. During my training period, I was able to get
a wide knowledge of electricity generation, transmission under the CEB & distribution, and
their business under both CEB and LECO.
For the first two weeks, I had a chance to undergo training at the Upper Kotmale Power Station
and we were assisted by Operation, Electrical maintenance, Control & Instrumentation, and
Mechanical Engineers as per the schedule given by Mr. Rasitha Peiris, the Chief-Engineer of
Upper Kotmale Power Station (UKTPS). Also, we have done a presentation on the knowledge
I learned during the training and faced on test paper at the end of the training. Even it was only
two weeks that were very limited to know all the operations and procedures inside the power
station, allocating us in such a way helped us to gain a clear understanding of the overall picture
of how the operation of the hydropower plant is going on.
After completing the first two weeks we were assigned to the training under the transmission
and maintenance (Northern) for the third week of training and we were supposed to visit
KiribathKumbura, Mallawapitiya, and Pallekele grid substation. All the Electrical Engineers,
Electrical Superintendents (ES), and the Control Room Operators (CROs) were of great help in
clarifying certain operations, procedures, and general details of the equipment the substation.
Then, I was assigned to training undergoing with the LECO training centre, Ja-Ela, Nugegoda
LECO branch office, and the Maharagama customer service centre for the next two weeks. Here
also, we were supposed to do the presentation on our experiences and the knowledge at the
LECO head office, Colombo on the last day of the training.
Moreover, for the final week of training, I was assigned to Colombo city. Although not all parts
of the Colombo city distribution system can cover in just one week, the Deputy General
Manager (City of Colombo) and his staff guided us to give their full support to achieve
successful training completion
As I mentioned above, all the engineers, electrical superintendents, technical officers, and minor
staff from CEB & LECO shared their knowledge and experiences without any doubts and gave
us massive support and guidance to complete my training successfully. And those training
experiences at CEB and LECO paved the way to learn about the utility functions, procedures

48
followed, and equipment related to those functions rather than engaging in the work carried out
by these companies.
Even there was a pandemic situation at the beginning of our industrial training program, I
believe that I won't be able to achieve excepted outcomes of conducting this kind of training
program without the massive support and guidance given by all the backbones behind.
Moreover, I would like to mention here conducting industrial training program under the several
establishments like in other our department is quite good because undergraduates can expose
themselves with practical knowledge and experiences in the field.

49
ANNEXES
Appendix 1: Organizational Structure of Resource Management Associates (Pvt) Limited

Managing
Director

Director Secretary

External
Consultants

Project Manager Project Finance

Director (Project) Engineers Manager

Trainees

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Appendix 2:Financial model for the Maldives project

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Appendix 3: Simple model for BESS
Inputs

BESS Status:
BESS Energy capacity(kWh) 500 Discharge(1),Charging(0)

Allowable minimum so level 20% Discharging(+),Charging(-)

Charging/ discharging time (hrs) 6 Assumption Initial Sock 0.67

Charging/ Discharging Energy per hour(kW) 83.33 Status of BESS 0

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) behaviour during a day

PV generation BESS
Hours (hrs) Load (kW)
(kW) SOC(t) Charge/discharge BESS (kW) SOC(t+1)
0:00 1,376.27 0.00 0.67 0 -83.33 0.83

1:00 1,671.19 0.00 0.83 0 -83.33 1.00

2:00 1,572.88 0.00 1.00 1 83.33 0.83

3:00 1,474.58 0.00 0.83 1 83.33 0.67

4:00 1,671.19 0.00 0.67 1 83.33 0.50

5:00 1,966.10 0.00 0.50 1 83.33 0.33

6:00 2,850.85 74.97 0.33 1 66.67 0.20

7:00 2,162.71 395.81 0.20 0 -83.33 0.37

8:00 1,671.19 785.82 0.37 0 -83.33 0.53

9:00 2,457.63 1011.38 0.53 0 -83.33 0.70

10:00 3,932.20 1113.59 0.70 0 -83.33 0.87

11:00 4,423.73 1161.70 0.87 0 -66.67 1.00

12:00 4,915.25 1234.51 1.00 1 83.33 0.83

13:00 4,522.03 1261.66 0.83 1 83.33 0.67

14:00 3,440.68 1162.35 0.67 1 83.33 0.50

15:00 2,752.54 980.50 0.50 1 83.33 0.33

16:00 2,261.02 772.53 0.33 1 66.67 0.20

17:00 3,047.46 471.34 0.20 0 -83.33 0.37

18:00 3,538.98 139.92 0.37 0 -83.33 0.53

19:00 3,932.20 1.31 0.53 0 -83.33 0.70

20:00 4,816.95 0.00 0.70 0 -83.33 0.87

21:00 5,111.86 0.00 0.87 0 -66.67 1.00

22:00 5,800.00 0.00 1.00 1 83.33 0.83

23:00 3,932.20 0.00 0.83 1 83.33 0.67

xii
Appendix 4: DIgSILENT Power Factory model for literature reviews and their results.

xiii
Case 01: 25 % incremental load event
At 5 second, general load has increased by 25% in terms of active power.
Active power unbalance occurs
BESS installation will support to keep the grid’s frequency stability within an acceptable level.

xiv
Case 02: Short circuit event
3 phase short circuit fault has begun at 4 second and ended up at 4.16 second. Voltage instability occurs.
The BESS contributes to strengthen the grid’s voltage stability by providing reactive power during the fault.

xv
Appendix 5: ELR test procedures and circuit diagram
Test 1: Sensitivity to currents that are lower than the pick-up current.
 Method: A current less than 125 mA (100 mA) was given using the RCD tester.
 Results: The percentage level of fault was indicated in the ELR as 80%, but the MCCB
did not trip.
Test 2: Sensitivity to currents that are greater than the pick-up current.
 Method: A current greater than 125 mA (300 mA) was given using the RCD tester.
 Results: MCCB tripped. The tripping time showed in the RCD tester was 137 ms.
Test 3: Sensitivity to current ramps.
 Method: A ramp current was given using the RCD tester.
 Results: The MCCB tripped at a current of 120 ms and the tripping time was shown as
159 ms. However, since the tripping current is less than the pick-up current (125 ms)
the test results are unacceptable.
Test 4: Sensitivity to dead short at downstream DB level (Test on the ability to discriminate
between an earth leakage in the primary protected zone against an earth leakage in the second
protection zone.)
 Method: The EV charging circuit has a dedicated MCB and an RCD. The circuit MCB
was switched off, and the live and earth terminals were short-circuited at the EV
charging socket with a 10 mm2 cable. Then the MCB was turned on.
 Results: RCD related to EV charging circuit tripped. The main MCCB did not trip.
Hence the test results are acceptable.

xvi
Appendix 6: Feeder 03 model in Wennappuwa LV Network.

xvii
xviii
 AGM Generation

AGM Transmission

AGM Distribution Division 01

AGM Distribution Division 02

AGM Distribution Division 03

AGM Distribution Division 04

xix
Appendix 7: Organizational Structure of CEB

AGM Asst. Management

General Manager

AGM Projects

AGM Corporate Strategies

Chairman and board of directors

Finance Manager

Chief Internal Auditor

DGM – Deputy General Manager

Secretary to the board

DGM (Personnel)

AGM – Additional General Manager

Manager Investigation
Appendix 8: Organizational Structure of Lanka Electricity Company (Pvt) Limited

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REFERENCES
1. Asian Development Bank. 2021. Handbook on Battery Energy Storage System.
[online] Available at: <https://www.adb.org/publications/battery-energy-storage-
system-handbook>
2. "Upper Kotmale", Ministry of Power, 2021. [Online]. Available:
http://powermin.gov.lk/english/?page_id=1520.
3. "CEB", Ceb.lk, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://ceb.lk/project-detail/25/en.

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