Powering Regional Grid Interoperability: The Crucial Role of Transmission System Operators in the LTMS-PIP

Executive Summary

Electricity market, communication mechanism and congestion management are of utmost importance among inter-TSO coordination task. To address these issues, APSO Secretariat has provided the CoP for multilateral energy trading (MPT) in the LTMS-PIP to advance the overall efficiency reliability of the energy trading process in the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) under the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II: 2021-2025.

This study focused on improving the coordination and communication mechanism for Transmission System Operators (TSOs) of LTMS-PIP also a more advanced trading models in grid system among power system operators. The aim was to facilitate MPT within the LTMS- PIP. The key discussion outlined as below:

1. Study on existing LTMS power system operators in coordinating and communicating to ensure the successful multilateral energy trading through Communication Mechanisms and Platform by System Operator at EGAT as wheelers of electricity in LTMS Project.
2. Experiences and best practices from the SAPP and the ENTSO-E, particularly in handling the operation of a rather more advanced power trading model.
3. Panel discussion of the existing LTMS coordination and communication mechanism in case of critical period occurs during the power transfer in the four countries involved.

The probability of levelling power trade in LTMS countries were explored in this study based on European experiences which advised to analyse both system operations and market dynamics in recent years, transitioning from a unilateral (one direction from Lao PDR to Singapore) to multi-lateral (many different directions). Developing its processes of ensuring a secure system operation in the region capable to transport energy to the market, which can have a positive impact on social welfare by increasing the share of renewable energy sources.

The challenge in the current practice LTMS certainly remain, particularly the emergency mainly due to trips of interconnection. This can occur a more complicated coordination as TSOs of LTMS will require to do some revisions and confirmation back and forth which may increase the risk of delay in energy trading. On the other hand, the SAPP’s and resemblances to ASEAN could be relevant references in terms of levelling up the trading mechanism, such as adding real-time power flow into the platform. The new improvement is envisaged in mitigating the critical period to amplify the real time power flow in the region enables TSOs to be better prepared for sudden changes or emergencies.