Long-term measures for technical loss reduction involve all measures that need to be taken for the improvement of quality and reliability of power supply and reduction of AT&C losses in the area. These include upgrading,strengthening and improvement of the Sub-Transmission and Distribution system in a circle to meet the future load demand for the next 5 years.The present traditional reactive and ad-hoc approach to network development should be replaced by an approach based on technical and reliabilitynrequirements, economic considerations of costs of energy loss and expansion of system to meet the growth of prospective demand with least cost.Long-term plans based on system studies for phased strengthening and improvement of the distribution systems along with associated transmission
system have to be prepared and executed. The basic objectives of strengthening and improvement of sub-transmission and distribution system in the long-term are to:
• ensure quality and reliability of supply to the consumers;
• bring down technical losses to an optimal minimum value; and
• phase the system expansion to match the growing power demand in the area under study.
The Sub-Transmission and Distribution system must be properly planned in the long-term to ensure that the losses are within acceptable limits.
The activities for preparation of a long-term plan are listed in Box.
Box : Activities for Preparing Long-term Plans
• Data collection regarding existing loads, operating conditions, forecast of expected loads etc. from Grid substation up to consumer level.
• Mapping of existing system.
• Analysis of existing system. (Voltage regulation, T&D losses in existing system, Adequacy of backup system)
• Load forecast.
• Plan for upgrading the network.
• Technology options including integration of features for modernization of system.
• Evaluation of various alternatives for least cost optimal solution.
• Firming up of scope of works.
• Preparation of cost estimates.
• Phasing of works and their cost.
• Financial analysis.
Several software tools are available for conducting system studies. The improvement plan should cover:
• augmentation of the transformation capacity at the existing 66 or 33/11 kV substations;
• rearranging/reconfiguring the 33/66 kV feeders by using higher size conductors and or increasing the number of feeders;
• establishing new 33 or 66/11 kV substations nearer to the load centres and redistributing the loads between existing and new substations;
• feeder strengthening, addition of new 11 kV feeders and reconductoring of existing feeders;
• addition of distribution transformers and LT lines; and
• adoption of modern technologies.
The system would also be required to meet the load demand in the Horizon year with resultant increase in sale of energy.Other long-term measures include demand side management and installation of prepayment meters.Demand side management refers to programmes implemented by utilities to modify consumer load profile. Energy efficiency programmes reduce energy use both during peak and off peak periods, typically without affecting the quality of service provided. Peak load reduction includes interruptible load tariffs, time of use rates, direct load control and other load management programmes.
Load shape flexibility can be achieved by programmes that modify price, cycle equipment, or interruption service in response to specific changes in power cost or resource availability. These approaches include real time pricing and time of use rates for pricing periods that have flexible hours. Load building programmes are designed to increase use of high efficiency electrical equipment or shift electricity consumption from peak to off peak hours thereby increasing total electricity sales.
Usage of prepayment meters will significantly improve the revenue collection of the utilities. There are a number of ways in which prepayment assures revenue protection. These are:
• The prepayment meter assures revenue upfront that is before the electricity is consumed. In case a credit is given (in prepayment) there is a zero time gap between consumption and payment. This reduces the cash collection cycle.
• Errors in meter reading, billing and data entry are altogether eliminated as the meter dispenses only that amount of electricity for which it has been paid for. Punching errors by consumers (in case of key pad based prepayment meters) are also eliminated, as the meter does not accept erroneous keying/punching.• Prepayment eliminates the meter readers and bill distributors thereby not only eliminating potential sources of corruption but also the costs incurred by utilities towards their meter readers and supervisors, and the workforce and related costs in running the billing centres. The activity starts and ends in the cash collection, which happens through user friendly dispensation centres, and consumers do not have to queue at Utility offices to pay their bills.
• The prepayment meter comes with in-built load limiters that can be programmed to disconnect a meter in case the load is exceeded. This is by far most effective in limiting the loading of the distribution system. This helps in preventing overloading and thereby limiting the technical loss in service cables and preventing hotspots in connections as the load always remains within the permissible limits.
• Another advantage of prepayment meter is its capacity to return (or dispense back) unused amount to the consumer. This feature helps in tracking changes in temporary ownership of connections (i.e., change of hands between one tenant to another) – an aspect that is never possible in credit metering.
Prepaid metering is the state of art for single and three-phase whole current metering, and should be implemented by utilities desirous of protecting their revenue. Between the different choices of types of prepayment meters, the key-pad based technology is far superior to other methods such as smart cards as the latter is prone to tampers and is inconvenient to consumers.
system have to be prepared and executed. The basic objectives of strengthening and improvement of sub-transmission and distribution system in the long-term are to:
• ensure quality and reliability of supply to the consumers;
• bring down technical losses to an optimal minimum value; and
• phase the system expansion to match the growing power demand in the area under study.
The Sub-Transmission and Distribution system must be properly planned in the long-term to ensure that the losses are within acceptable limits.
The activities for preparation of a long-term plan are listed in Box.
Box : Activities for Preparing Long-term Plans
• Data collection regarding existing loads, operating conditions, forecast of expected loads etc. from Grid substation up to consumer level.
• Mapping of existing system.
• Analysis of existing system. (Voltage regulation, T&D losses in existing system, Adequacy of backup system)
• Load forecast.
• Plan for upgrading the network.
• Technology options including integration of features for modernization of system.
• Evaluation of various alternatives for least cost optimal solution.
• Firming up of scope of works.
• Preparation of cost estimates.
• Phasing of works and their cost.
• Financial analysis.
Several software tools are available for conducting system studies. The improvement plan should cover:
• augmentation of the transformation capacity at the existing 66 or 33/11 kV substations;
• rearranging/reconfiguring the 33/66 kV feeders by using higher size conductors and or increasing the number of feeders;
• establishing new 33 or 66/11 kV substations nearer to the load centres and redistributing the loads between existing and new substations;
• feeder strengthening, addition of new 11 kV feeders and reconductoring of existing feeders;
• addition of distribution transformers and LT lines; and
• adoption of modern technologies.
The system would also be required to meet the load demand in the Horizon year with resultant increase in sale of energy.Other long-term measures include demand side management and installation of prepayment meters.Demand side management refers to programmes implemented by utilities to modify consumer load profile. Energy efficiency programmes reduce energy use both during peak and off peak periods, typically without affecting the quality of service provided. Peak load reduction includes interruptible load tariffs, time of use rates, direct load control and other load management programmes.
Load shape flexibility can be achieved by programmes that modify price, cycle equipment, or interruption service in response to specific changes in power cost or resource availability. These approaches include real time pricing and time of use rates for pricing periods that have flexible hours. Load building programmes are designed to increase use of high efficiency electrical equipment or shift electricity consumption from peak to off peak hours thereby increasing total electricity sales.
Usage of prepayment meters will significantly improve the revenue collection of the utilities. There are a number of ways in which prepayment assures revenue protection. These are:
• The prepayment meter assures revenue upfront that is before the electricity is consumed. In case a credit is given (in prepayment) there is a zero time gap between consumption and payment. This reduces the cash collection cycle.
• Errors in meter reading, billing and data entry are altogether eliminated as the meter dispenses only that amount of electricity for which it has been paid for. Punching errors by consumers (in case of key pad based prepayment meters) are also eliminated, as the meter does not accept erroneous keying/punching.• Prepayment eliminates the meter readers and bill distributors thereby not only eliminating potential sources of corruption but also the costs incurred by utilities towards their meter readers and supervisors, and the workforce and related costs in running the billing centres. The activity starts and ends in the cash collection, which happens through user friendly dispensation centres, and consumers do not have to queue at Utility offices to pay their bills.
• The prepayment meter comes with in-built load limiters that can be programmed to disconnect a meter in case the load is exceeded. This is by far most effective in limiting the loading of the distribution system. This helps in preventing overloading and thereby limiting the technical loss in service cables and preventing hotspots in connections as the load always remains within the permissible limits.
• Another advantage of prepayment meter is its capacity to return (or dispense back) unused amount to the consumer. This feature helps in tracking changes in temporary ownership of connections (i.e., change of hands between one tenant to another) – an aspect that is never possible in credit metering.
Prepaid metering is the state of art for single and three-phase whole current metering, and should be implemented by utilities desirous of protecting their revenue. Between the different choices of types of prepayment meters, the key-pad based technology is far superior to other methods such as smart cards as the latter is prone to tampers and is inconvenient to consumers.
This blog post provides valuable insights into the importance of long-term measures for technical loss reduction in the power distribution sector. It emphasizes the need to move away from traditional, reactive approaches towards a more strategic and proactive approach based on technical requirements, cost considerations, and reliability.
ReplyDeleteThe blog highlights several key objectives of this shift, including ensuring the quality and reliability of power supply to consumers, minimizing technical losses, and effectively planning for the future growth in power demand.
The outlined activities for preparing long-term plans are comprehensive, covering data collection, system analysis, load forecasting, technology integration, and cost estimation. This systematic approach is crucial in ensuring that the Sub-Transmission and Distribution system is well-prepared to meet the needs of both the present and the future.
In a rapidly changing energy landscape, where sustainability and efficiency are paramount, these long-term measures are essential for utilities and power providers to thrive. This blog serves as a valuable resource for professionals and organizations involved in the power distribution sector looking to enhance their technical loss reduction strategies.