Reducing power disruptions in the Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park (
Chen Chao-yi (
Chang made the request after power was tripped at Macronix International's (
After more than two weeks of examining the park's power woes, the Energy Commission on Saturday announced a list of recommendations on how electricity distribution can be improved.
At the top was a suggestion for Taipower and the park's authorities to work together to complete construction of the 161-voltage, double-loop system on schedule, which would be March for the first line and August for the second.
"The underground double-loop system will replace the current radial system and provide a more stable supply of power," explained Chen.
The radial system is considered the least expensive to construct and the least reliable in terms of supply as there is only one route from the source of power at the substation and the end user.
If power isolation equipment fails at any of the system's users when their equipment malfunctions, all the other users are affected. But in a loop system the distribution line forms a ring around the service area and can be fed from both ends by the substation, greatly lessening the chances of other users being affected if power is tripped at any of the users.
According to Chen, a radial system was built in Area 3 under pressure from the rapid pace of development at the park and was always intended to be temporary.
"Planning for replacement of the radial system began five years ago," Chen said. "But it was delayed two years while Taipower held discussions with the park's users over which companies wanted to be connected to the system and the planned route of the underground cables," he added. Development of the Phase 3 area began in 1992. It covers 225 hectares alongside the other two areas and houses semiconductor giants like United Microelectronics Corp (UMC, 聯電) Macronix International Corp (旺宏) and Mosel Vitelic Co (茂矽).
Besides urging Taipower and the park's administration to get a move on building the new system, the Energy Commission spread around the responsibility for reducing the incidences of power outages.
Chen said that power users in the park should install more dynamic uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems -- which provide an uninterrupted flow of power during voltage dips or outages -- and agree to regular inspections of their factories' power systems and the park's distribution network.
"Many companies are reluctant to agree to regular inspections of the entire system because it means power must be shut down and production must stop," Chen said.
Stressing the need for cooperation among the park's administration, Taipower and the high-tech companies, Chen pointed to Saturday's planned outage at the park for repair work.
Cooperation was key in a plan-ned power outage of around four hours on Saturday during which time Taipower began rebuilding the damaged No. 2 transformer at the Lungsung substation (龍松變電所) that is the principle power source for Area 3.
The Lungsung substation, while being the main power source for the area, has also been a constant source of trouble, suffering two outages in one day last November.
Taipower admits the transformers, which were made locally, are of inferior quality and indicated the company would be seeking compensation as the equipment is still under warranty.
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