Published On: Aug 31, 2016
LOSS REDUCTIONPower Distribution Utilities in India are facing critical challenge of loss reduction so as to improve their financial performance and operate viably. Public Distribution Companies are facing huge burden of losses (~Rs. 2.4 lakh Cr. (Rs. 2400 billion)) and high average AT&C losses (~28%). Of this, the standard technical loss component is around 17% in India, while remaining constitutes un-metered supply, pilferage, etc. Figure 1 shows approx. state wise AT&C loss (in %). It can be seen that most states has high cumulative AT&C losses. This loss has created an inefficient distribution systemcontributing to poor quality and reliability of power supply to consumers. ENERGY EFFICIENCY |
Energy Efficiency emerged as a key policy priority in India’s energy sector since the enactment of Energy Conservation Act, 2001. Subsequently, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) set up by Government of India, is assisting in developing strategies and policies to reduce the energy intensity of the Indian economy. The government estimates that the energy efficiency market in India has an investment potential of USD $10 billion and that improving energy efficiency could save up to 184 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of generated electricity.
Distribution Transformer is one of the key equipment of power distribution network. Efficiency of the Distribution Transformers in various Indian Power Distribution utilities is very poor. Poor efficiency increases losses and reduces the quality and reliability of power supplied. Various State Regulatory bodies have given directives to improve the efficiency of the DTs to improve the overall efficiency of power distribution network. Implementing/Adopting Energy Efficiency measures decreases the overall energy demand and also peak demand, leading to higher reliability of supply. However, many devices that improve power reliability and quality – such as an inverter, a storage device, an Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS), or a Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) have possible negative impact on energy efficiency. Poor EE also affects the environment and the profitability of the utility consequently Indian economy.
DEMYSTIFYING PQ AND RELIABLILITY OF SUPPLY, LOSS REDUCTION AND ENERGY EFFICIENCYNow, that we have seen the strategic areas individually, it would be interesting to note that these are interrelated not only between themselves but also with Power Quality. Below causal loop diagram shows the relationships between these and various other key elements in the power distribution system. For e.g. it can be seen from above diagram that investing in ‘Network Improvement’ improves Power Quality, Reliability of Supply (via other elements in the system), which in turn will reduce technical losses and improveenergy efficiency. Reliability and quality of the electrical power remains the major concerns. There is a need to understand that improving PQ is nothing but ensuring continuity of supply. PQ can be key differentiator for tomorrow’s utility business model that is fast changing and it is no more about 24X7 supply alone. |
CASE STUDY: LEADING POWER DISTRIBUTION UTILITY’S INFRA PLANSMaharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) is the leading power distribution utility in India, having an installed capacity of more than 23000 MW, distribution losses 16% and AT&C losses 18.36%. It supplies electricity to nearly 1.93 Cr. (19.3 Million) categories of consumers (as of 2012). It can be observed from above snapshot of the company’s infra plans (i.e. capital works) aimed to reduce distribution losses, improve network reliability and to a certain extent improve Power Quality through Power Factor improvement. It is critical to note that PQ improvements although limited in this case are to be considered while making larger infrastructural changes in the distribution networks from the point of view of reliability of supply and loss reduction. Apart from only capacitor bank, various technological improvements like use of rightly located load Centre oriented substations, use of DTs with right load balancing, use of OLTC for voltage profile improvement, use of filters (reactors) at right locations to avoid supply of distorted waveforms to consumers at large, use of means to ‘measuring for managing’ are few components, use of auto reclosures / sectionaliser / online capacitor, automatic fault location detector, undergrounding at high load density locations etc. should be considered for PQ improvement plans. |
In today’s rapidly expanding and evolving electrical power system environment, utilities must manage electrical grid assets effectively and efficiently. Properly managed assets will significantly reduce operational costs; improve service levels and financial controls. With Smart Grids coming into the picture, the future electrical system designs will focus more on reliability, sustainability and energy efficiency considerations.
While a Utility’s main focus remains on achieving improved customer service through the above key points, it must start considering Power Quality as one of the important aspect in the utility’s Capex and Opex plans.Power Quality is not different from the identified strategies for Utilities. In fact, it is interrelated with and further facilitates the success of supply reliability, loss reduction and energy efficiency for utilities.
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