Reinforcement Proposal towards Loss Reduction in Distribution Network

Abstract

Energy losses are degrading distribution utility performance as well as adding to already occurring energy crises. Increasing fuel prices, scarcity and competition calls for highest operational efficiency of power sector. Both technical and nontechnical losses are badly affecting utilities in Pakistan and Electricity theft through direct hooking is a major contributor towards these losses. Aerial Bundled Cables (ABC) are insulated cables available with different current carrying capacities to be used as a replacement of bare overhead conductors to ensure safety of personal, reliability and ease of maintenance. Chances of direct hooking to these cables are minimum In this paper, one of the distribution feeder in Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) is analyzed to observe the effectiveness of ABC as energy loss reduction technique. Selected feeder is modelled and simulated for actual and modified systems and technical losses for both cases are compared. Reduction in line resistance and removal of direct connections reduce technical losses of the selected feeder from 11.23% to 9.38%. Comparison of units billed for three months of two consecutive years, shows an increase of 67% and small payback period. Simulation and economic analysis confirms that ABC is suitable reinforcement proposal for loss reduction in distribution systems of Pakistan