Factors in DPR Preparation : An Introduction

You know that in our country, there is always peak demand shortage of power.The problem is further accentuated by the addition of new customers every day with the result that crisis management prevails over well planned effort. In Indian utilities, there has been a trend to churn out DPRs in 2-3 days time which lack a number of features/pre-requisites particularly for the long term. We need to shift away from this mode of working. For one circle/district headquarter, a time period of 6-8 weeks should be kept in mind for a worthwhile outcome as it involves many activities (Box).

Box: Activities Involved in DPR Preparation

• Specifying the technical requirements of select schemes;

• Analyzing merits of selected schemes;

• Developing cost estimates;

• Assessing benefits;

• Estimating payback period and return on investment; and

• Elaborating the implementation plan.You have learnt about the considerations for project development in Unit 9.

The same factors should be kept in mind while preparing DPRs. We list them all here at one place:

• planning studies may cover a distribution circle/ or an urban area;

• planning and design of distribution system should meet load growth and ensure

− voltage conditions to be within permissible levels,

− optimum energy losses,

− least overall cost system;

• improvement in reliability/security and quality of power supply;

• safety of operation;

• evolving a scientific automation and load management system;

• better customer service;

• energy accounting/energy audit;

• network documentation – single line diagram/ geographical map up to 11 kV level;

• estimation of T&D losses/segregation of losses;

• technical power loss reduction (short term);

• commercial power loss reduction;

• improvement of voltage profile;

• mapping of the system, data collection and validation of data;

• analysis of existing system;

• voltage variation/regulation study;

• technical losses in the system;

• load forecast;

• upgrading the network/expansion of network;

• technology options including integration of modernization of system such as

− LT less System and High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS),

− installation of shunt capacitors,

− technology option for containing theft such as Aerial Bunched Cables (ABC),

− Automatic Meter Reading (AMR),

− Demand Side Management (DSM),

− communication facilities,

− Management Information System (MIS),

− Consumer Interface Automation,

− Distribution Automation,

− Harnessing Distributed Generation,

− Customer Relationship Management Systems,

− Reliability Analysis,

− Training of Personnel;

• evaluation of various alternatives for least cost optimal system;

• firming up of scope of works and their prioritization;

• preparation of cost estimates;

• phasing of works and their cost;

• financial analysis; and finally

• preparation of DPR.

We now describe the process of DPR preparation. Field study, data collection and its analysis are the first steps in the process.