NG UKBP/TP 106 ✓ Most Recent [ Revised ]

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

Application

a) This procedure defines National Grid requirements for the commissioning, decommissioning and recommissioning of all Equipment covered by the Electricity Transmission Licence including both overhead lines and cables, and auxiliary equipment. It also defines the commissioning / decommissioning / recommissioning requirements of unlicensed Equipment when undertaken by National Grid. Appendix S provides an overview of the licensed process.

b) The procedure is formatted on the basis that the Equipment to be commissioned / decommissioned / recommissioned forms part of a capital investment delivered by Construction and ETAM Operations.

c) The procedure therefore defines both the National Grid and Contractor tasks and responsibilities. When commissioning / decommissioning / recommissioning takes place under other circumstances (eg. following equipment fault and replacement), then the responsible managers must adhere to the principles of this document.

d) TP106 defines a framework of requirement which will apply to the majority of investments. Where it is evident that TP106 does not provide a fully satisfactory framework (e.g. for standalone projects or equipment not directly connected to the main stream power system such as Oil Containment, Fire Protection, Compressors, LVAC Supplies, Cable Cooling System, Batteries etc.) then formally defined alternative arrangements specified by the Commissioning Panel (which may include alternative commissioning authorisation arrangements) may be defined and utilised.

It is recognised that for investments that fall into the category of single asset replacement or refurbishment/recondition (as defined in UKBP/TP236) then the full application of this TP may not provide the most cost efficient means of delivering that investment and hence the TP minimum requirements as defined in UKBP/TP236 may be applied.

These minimum requirements are defined for each type of single asset replacement or refurbishment/recondition investment and are presented as separate appendices in UKBP/TP236. e.g. Appendix B, CB Replacement (with CTs) & (without CTs).

Amendments to this procedure shall be reflected in UKBP/TP236 Appendices (if required) and may result in the re-issue of UKBP/TP236.

e) Where there is more than one project being carried out at a single substation the following criteria shall be used to determine whether separate or combined Commissioning Panel(s) shall be held.

1. If the projects are completely separate and there are no commissioning interfaces, separate Commissioning Panels should be held, a combined UKBP_TP153 Coordination meeting should be held.

2. If the projects overlap, i.e. use of circuits/schemes one Commissioning Panel held with one being nominated as the lead project and providing the Chairman. The project manager/engineer of the other projects (not the lead) will retain responsibility for those aspects usually covered by the Chairman (i.e. signing part 1 of CCCC and the Commissioning Report for his own project). Each project will have its own appointed Commissioning Officer, each one shall attend the Commissioning Panel (in some instances these may be one of the same individual). A combined UKBP_TP153 meeting to be held.

3. In the event that there is more than one project at a substation with the design for these projects carried out by one party, a single Commissioning Panel shall be held with a Chairman and Commissioning Officer, having full responsibility for these projects. A combined UKBP_TP153 meeting will also be held.

f) Appendix A (Commissioning Panel Meeting Model Format) forms the executive part of this procedure. This appendix is the cornerstone of UKBP_TP106 and links to all other requirements defined in the document.

g) For simple or repetitive projects the Commissioning Panel may define an abridged version of Appendix A.

NB: In this procedure the term commissioning will usually be taken to include the requirements of commissioning, decommissioning and recommissioning.

Commissioning Objectives

To achieve satisfactory Equipment commissioning UKBP_TP106 targets five prime objectives.

a) Statutory (primarily Health & Safety, and Environmental)

b) Transmission System reliability (i.e. maintaining reliability during commissioning

c) Organisation (definition of tasks, responsibilities and timescales)

d) Performance tests (i.e. testing regime that ensures satisfactory equipment commissioning)

e) Contractual requirements

Commissioning Philosophy

To ensure that the National Grid System is commissioned to a standard which enables the objectives to be achieved, commissioning philosophy comprises:

a) Process framework – UKBP_TP106 – thereby ensuring that commissioning is carried out with a demonstrable level of governance and associated audit trail.

b) Requisite skills, knowledge and competency – UKBP_ TP141 – thereby ensuring the quality and accuracy of the commissioning undertaken.