Union Minister R.K. Singh dedicated Automatic Generation Control (AGC) to the nation. 

What is Automatic Generation Control?

• Automatic Generation Control (AGC) plays an important role in the large-scale multi-area interconnected power systems to maintain system frequency. 

• AGC regulates power generation in response to load changes through local measurements. Its main objective is to maintain system frequency and keep energy balanced within each control area.

• Due to sudden disturbances, if the generated active power becomes less than the power demand, the frequency of generating units tends to decrease and vice versa. This causes the system frequency to deviate from its nominal value which is undesirable. 

• The AGC is used to damp out the frequency deviation quickly. 

• The AGC is being operated by Power System Operation Corporation (POSOCO) through National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC). 

• POSOCO sends signals to power plants through the AGC every four seconds to maintain frequency and reliability of the power system.

• This is expected to facilitate achieving the government’s ambitious target of 500 GW non-fossil fuel-based generation capacity by 2030. 

What is POSOCO?

• Power System Operation Corporation Limited (POSOCO) is a wholly owned government enterprise under the ministry of power.

• Power system operation is a mission critical function of national importance for smooth evacuation of power from generating stations and supply to the end consumers in the electricity supply value chain. 

• Power system operation involves taking care of the overall reliability, security, economy and efficiency of the power system.

• POSOCO operates the power system of the country through National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC) in New Delhi and Regional Load Despatch Centres (RLDCs) at New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore and Shillong. 

• POSOCO has the responsibility of operating the all India synchronous grid, one of the largest and most complex in the world, ensuring reliability and security.

• It facilitates the inter-state transmission of power to utilities across India.

• POSOCO was incorporated in March 2009 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) to take over the system operations and market operations, which were earlier, carried out by the POWERGRID.

• POSOCO Day is observed on January 3 to commemorate its independent functioning that began on January 3, 2017, under the ministry of power as one of the Power PSUs after separating from POWERGRID. 

Functions of POSOCO:

• To supervise and control all aspects concerning operations and manpower requirements of NLDC and RLDCs.

• To act as the apex organisation for human resources requirement of NLDC and RLDCs.

• To ensure planning and implementation of infrastructure required for smooth operation and development of NLDC and RLDCs.

• To coordinate the functioning of NLDC and all RLDCs.

• To advise and assist state level Load Dispatch Centres, including specialised trainings, etc.

• To perform any other function entrusted to it by the ministry of power.

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