Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has newly issued comprehensive guidelines on usage and share of fibre cores associated with OPGW and UGFO cables for power system applications.
These guidelines have been formulated to establish a uniform procedure for the sharing of fibre cores of optical ground wire (OPGW)/ underground fibre optic (UGFO) cable deployed across the power transmission network, ensuring reliable, secure, and continuous monitoring and operation of the grid.
They provide a comprehensive framework for fiber allocation, addressing the diverse needs of grid operations, system protection, as well as authorized commercial use. It establishes principles for effective resource allocation, maintaining sufficient redundancy to support future requirements, such as Loop-in-Loop-Out (LILO) expansions, network reconfiguration and scalability to accommodate evolving operational demands.
Establishing a structured framework governing the sharing and utilization of OPGW fibres became necessary due to increasing demands and multiple stakeholders involve in fibre usage.
The official guidelines may be accessed using this external link
Fibre count
Among several recommendations, the guidelines state that for new transmission projects and for upgradation schemes, planning of OPGW should be done with a minimum of 48 fibre cores, as per feasibility and requirement.
For installations within city limits, OPGW may be equipped with 96 fibre cores to also facilitate usage by discoms and load dispatch centres (national, regional and state-level) for last-mile connectivity, contingent upon the load-bearing capacity of the line.
This approach will accommodate any additional future requirements, including Loop-In-Loop-Out (LILO) configurations or increased capacity utilizing the same right-of-way, the guidelines state.
Maintenance of database
The new guidelines also call for creation and maintenance of a comprehensive database that clearly segregates total number of OPGW fibre cores, number of cores used for grid applications, spare cores reserved for future grid applications, number of fibre cores already being shared for grid applications and number of cores leased on commercial basis for non-grid applications. Typical non-grid applications include usage of fibres by telecom operators, internet service providers, etc.
This database will be maintained by Central Transmission Utility of India Ltd (CTUIL) for interstate transmission system (ISTS) lines and by respective state transmission utilities in the case of intrastate lines.
Objective
The overall objective of these guidelines is to institute uniform principles for fibre allocation and usage. With this, entities across the value chain – including CTUIL, Grid Controller of India, state transmission utilities, transmission service providers and discoms – can achieve consistent and efficient communication system for grid operations, protection, and commercial applications.
Featured photograph (source: Sterlite Power) is for representation only.
