REC INSTITUTE OF POWER MANAGEMENT & TRAINING (RECIPMT)

LOSSES REDUCTION AND VOLTAGE PROFILE IMPROVEMENT

(CASE STUDY)

PRESENTED

BY

AWAB ELWASILA
MOHAMMED MAHDI
AZZAM OMER

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMME ON

Certificate in Power Distribution Management

24th June 2019 – 2nd August 2019

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

At first our sincere appreciation goes to the different faculties and entire staff of
RECIPMT for the worthy knowledge they have shared with us in this six week’s
program. Special thanks to catering and cleaning staff whose continual support keeps
us healthy to participate wholeheartedly into the course as well.

The program coordinator, Aparup Paul, course director and the government of
“Republic of India” for the great endeavor and encouragement they are providing in
enlightening the developing states.

Finally, expressing gratitude to all the participants from different regions and
countries of the world who made accompany and sharing to me for their vast
experience and also helping me during writing my project.

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 ABSTRACT

Power losses in electrical system referred to the difference between the magnitude
of power generated and power consumed. Energy losses occur in the process of
supplying electricity to consumers due to technical and commercial losses. The
technical losses are due to energy dissipated in the conductors and equipment used
for transmission, transformation, sub transmission and distribution of power.

ETAP software program used as simulation program in this project to simulate

the case of technical losses which is helpful in understanding and analysis this type
of losses. In the other hand since no programs or techniques were able to determine
non-technical losses, a real data provided detailed information to give a clear
glimpse about non-technical losses.
These project objectives successfully met by obtaining the major causes of
distribution losses in Sudan and finding out the optimum solutions.

Keywords: Technical losses, Non-technical losses Distribution System, 33 Kv Line,

ETAP Software.

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 LIST OF ABBREVIATION

CIRE - Central Institute for Rural Electrification

IT - Information Technology

ITEC - India Technical & Economic Corporation

REC - Rural Electrification Corporation

RECIPMT - REC Institute of Power Management & Training

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ......................................................................................................................... I
ABSTRACT...................................................................................................................................................... II
LIST OF ABBREVIATION ................................................................................................................................ III
TABLE OF CONTENTS.................................................................................................................................... IV
CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................................................... 1
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Overview ................................................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Objectives................................................................................................................................................ 1
1.3 Problem statement ................................................................................................................................. 1
1.4 Motivation............................................................................................................................................... 2
1.5 Report layout .......................................................................................................................................... 2
CHAPTER TWO .............................................................................................................................................. 3
2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 3
2.3 Type of losses .......................................................................................................................................... 3
2.3.1 Technical Losses ................................................................................................................................... 3
2.3.1.1 Reasons of high technical losses ....................................................................................................... 4
2.3.1.2 measurement of technical losses ..................................................................................................... 5
2.3.1.3 Measures for Reducing Technical Losses .......................................................................................... 5
1-Short Term Measures ................................................................................................................................ 5
2- Long Term Measures ................................................................................................................................ 6
2.3.2 Non-technical losses ............................................................................................................................ 7
2.3.2.1 Reasons of non-technical losses ....................................................................................................... 7
2.3.2.2 Measurement of non-technical losses .............................................................................................. 8
1-Estimation .................................................................................................................................................. 8
2- Monitoring ................................................................................................................................................ 8
3- Detection .................................................................................................................................................. 8
4- Recovery ................................................................................................................................................... 9
2.3.2.3 measures of reduction of non-technical method ............................................................................. 9
CHAPTER 3 .................................................................................................................................................. 10
A CASE STUDY ............................................................................................................................................. 10
3.1 Load Flow Using Electrical Transient Analyzer Program (ETAP) ........................................................... 10
3.2 Current Network Configuration: ........................................................................................................... 11
3.4 Proposed Scenario: ............................................................................................................................... 15
IV
CHAPTER FOUR ........................................................................................................................................... 20
4.1 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 20
4.2 recommendations ................................................................................................................................. 21
REFRENCES .................................................................................................................................................. 22

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 CHAPTER ONE
Introduction

1.1 Overview

Nowadays Electricity became the most vital energy using in the whole world
since it considered as a clean source of energy that won’t affect on environment and
all current applications and devices depend on it. But losses in electrical supply
according to generation, transmission and distribution represented a vital problem
facing electrical utilities and cause damages to its infrastructures. These losses
studied in order to find efficient methods to fight it and provide acceptable
percentage of losses.

1.2 Objectives

The objective of this project is to define the main sources of electrical distribution
losses especially in Sudan. And to find out proper solutions to reduce or eliminate
these losses and provide electricity in the most sufficient way. Also, this project
come to shed light on some experiments carried out by the Sudanese company for
the distribution of electricity as seminars for lost cases, both technical and non-
technical so you can access a unified vision of how to reduce the loss.

1.3 Problem statement

Particular part of the network (case study) suffers from poor voltage regulation,
overloading and undesirable power losses.

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1.4 Motivation
Interest in maintaining the electric power and reduce the loss of the most important
goals of the distribution company all over the world. So, distribution company
operate on the optimal use of electrical energy distribution and control of losses to
increase the stability of networks and technical competence and financial resources.

1.5 Report layout

This report is organized into four chapters:

Chapter 1 (Introduction): it gives a review about power losses and their effect on
distribution power system as well as review of the case study and motivation of our
project.

Chapter 2 (Losses in power system): provides a detailed description of technical

and non- technical losses, their causes, measurement methods and solution adopted
for each type of them.

Chapter 3 (Foreword to ETAP & Technical losses case study): gives a brief
foreword to load flow using Electrical Transient Analyzer Program (ETAP)
software, its mainly concepts and features, and a case study of technical losses using
an unhealthy part of Sudan network as a model.

Chapter 4 (conclusions and future work): this chapter contains conclusions of the
knowledge gained by the project and recommended works to reduce technical
distribution losses in case study area.

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 CHAPTER TWO
2.1 Introduction
Electric power losses are wasteful energy caused by external factors or internal
factors, and energy dissipated in the system. They include losses due to resistance,
atmospheric conditions, theft, miscalculations, etc. and losses incurred between
sources of supply to load center (or consumers). Loss minimization and
quantification is very vital in all human Endeavors. In power system, it can lead to
more economic operation of the system. If we know how the losses occur, we can
take steps to limit and minimize the losses. Consequently, this will lead to effective
and efficient operation of the system. Therefore, the existing power generation and
transmission can be effectively used without having the need to build new
installations and at the same time save cost of losses.
Basically, losses in electrical power system can be identified as those losses caused
by internal factors known as technical losses and those cause by external factors are
called non-technical losses [3].

2.3 Type of losses

2.3.1 Technical Losses

Technical losses are naturally occurring losses (caused by actions internal to the
Power system) and consist mainly of power dissipation in electrical system
components such as distribution lines, power transformers, measurement systems,
etc. Technical losses in power systems mean power losses incurred by physical
properties of components in the power systems infrastructure. A common example
of such losses is the power loss caused by resistance of distribution lines. The
average power loss in a distribution line can be expressed as

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 P loss = P source − P load

Where P source means the average power that the source is injecting into the
distribution line and P load is the power consumed by the load at the other end of
the distribution line. There are many sources of technical losses in distribution
system:

i. Overloaded transformers
ii. Cables undersized
iii. MT distribution lines too long
iv. Unbalanced network
v. Uncompensated reactive energy
vi. Connection of some great customer in low voltage
vii. Bad joints

2.3.1.1 Reasons of high technical losses

Technical losses are due to energy dissipated in the conductors and equipment
used for distribution of power these occur at many places in distribution system – in
lines, mid-span joints and terminations, transformers, service cables and
connections, etc.

i. Lengthy low voltage distribution lines

ii. Low voltage
iii. At transformers and consumers premises
iv. Over rated distribution transformers
v. Distribution transformer not located at load center
vi. Low power factor
vii. Bad workmanship resulting in poor contacts at joints and connections

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2.3.1.2 measurement of technical losses
Losses in electrical system can be determined in different ways. Electric technical
losses occur as current flows through resistive materials and the magnetizing energy
in the line’s transformers and motors. However, the losses incurred in resistance
materials can be reduced by

adopting the following means:

i. the current
ii. Reducing the resistance and the impedance
iii. Maximizing voltages

Electrical power system losses can be computed using several formulas in

consideration of pattern of generation and loads, by means of any of the following
methods: [2]

i. Computing transmission losses as 𝐼 2 𝑅

ii. by differential power loss method Reducing
iii. by computing line flows and line losses
iv. Analyzing system parameters
v. Load flow simulation

2.3.1.3 Measures for Reducing Technical Losses

1-Short Term Measures

i. Identification of the weakest areas in the distribution system and
strengthening.
ii. Improving them so as to draw the maximum benefits of the limited
resources.

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 iii. Reducing the length of LT lines by relocation of distribution sub
stations/ Installations of additional distribution transformers (DTs).
iv. Installation of lower capacity distribution transformers at each
consumer premises instead of cluster formation and substitution of DTs
with those having lower no load losses such as amorphous core
transformers.
v. Installation of shunt capacitors for improvement of power factor.

2- Long Term Measures

i. Mapping of complete primary and secondary distribution system clearly
depicting the various parameters such as conductor size line lengths etc.
ii. Compilation of data regarding existing loads, operating conditions,
forecast of expected loads etc.
iii. Carrying out detailed distribution system studies considering the
expected load development during the next 8-10 years.
iv. Preparation of long-term plans for phased strengthening and
improvement of the distribution systems along with associated
transmission system.
v. Estimation of the financial requirements for implementation of the
different phases of system improvement works.
vi. Formulation of comprehensive system improvement schemes with
detailed investment program so as to meet system requirement for first 5
years. [1][4]

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2.3.2 Non-technical losses
Non-technical losses are caused by actions external to the power system, or are
caused by loads and conditions that the technical losses computation failed to take
into account. NTL are more difficult to measure because these losses are often
unaccounted for by the system operators and thus have no recorded information. The
most probable causes of NTL are

i. Tampering with meters to ensure the meter recorded a lower consumption

reading.

ii. Tapping (hooking) in LT lines.

iii. Stealing by passing the meter or otherwise making illegal connection.

iv. Non-payment by customers.

v. Errors in technical losses computation.

vi. Errors in accounting and record keeping that distort technical

information.

vii. By just ignoring unpaid bills. [3]

2.3.2.1 Reasons of non-technical losses

i. Electrical power is treated as political power
ii. Electricity theft.
iii. Bad energy meter reading
iv. Energy meter failure
v. Weakness of recovery
vi. Billing weakness
vii. Non subscribed consumers

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2.3.2.2 Measurement of non-technical losses

1-Estimation
All utilities measures (top-down losses) as the difference between purchased
energy and energy sold. All estimates of non-technical losses are based on the
accuracy of the calculation of technical losses (assuming that administrative losses
are accurately known) subtracted from an estimate of total system losses. Some
utilities measure energy sent out at intermediate points in the distribution network,
e.g. at 33kV and 11kV substations and / or distribution feeders, and reconcile the
energy against consumption recorded by electricity meters that are downstream from
the meter location. The most common practice is to install metering at large
substations on the high or medium voltage side.

2- Monitoring
Monitoring is undertaken through summation reconciliation of Grid metering,
communal metering and metering at customer’s premises. Check or temporary
metering is used to detect electricity pilferage. Another important source of
monitoring data comes from the billing and collection system. However, it is not
generally reported by utilities that low consumption or sudden reductions in
consumption provide reliable indications of electricity pilferage. Utilities monitor
meter advances and meter readers are used to report obvious signs of occupancy and
/ or electricity use in premises that have been disconnected.

3- Detection
It is common to find that dedicated employees are deployed in order to check large
user metering and metering installations on a random but regular basis whenever
electricity pilferage is having a significant impact on revenue.

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Meter reading staff may also be trained to detect the most obvious cases of meter
tampering and illegal connections, but this is not observed as a best practice or even
a widespread practice.

4- Recovery
Recovery involves the customer paying for stolen electricity along with a fine
commensurate with the amount of electricity stolen (as discussed under deterrence).
It is also generally seen that a utility is able to recover the full costs of repairing
meters, wiring, etc. The energy is estimated based on the customer’s end use profile
and the period of time over which it is believed that the energy has been stolen. The
time period is usually determined from the historical billing pattern.

2.3.2.3 measures of reduction of non-technical method

1-Technological measures

i. Minimum human intervention

ii. automated systems
iii. prepaid meters

2-administrative measures

i. Staff counseling
ii. Law & order
iii. Police and judiciary (special courts)
iv. Political support/ will

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 CHAPTER 3
A CASE STUDY
3.1 Load Flow Using Electrical Transient Analyzer Program
(ETAP)
ETAP Load Flow software performs power flow analysis and voltage drop
calculations with accurate and reliable results. Built-in features like automatic
equipment evaluation, alerts and warnings summary, load flow result analyzer, and
intelligent graphics make it the most efficient electrical power flow analysis tool
available today.

ETAP load flow calculation program calculates bus voltages, branch power factors,
currents, and power flows throughout the electrical system. ETAP allows for swing,
voltage regulated, and unregulated power sources with unlimited power grids and
generator connections. This load flow calculation software is capable of performing
analysis on both radial and loop systems. ETAP allows to select from several
different load flow calculation methods in order to achieve the most efficient and
accurate results.

This improved Newton-Raphson Method (adaptive Newton-Raphson) introduces

a set of smaller steps for iterations where a potential divergence condition is
encountered. The smaller increments may help to reach a load flow solution for some
systems where the regular Newton-Raphson method might fail to reach one.

The Newton-Raphson method is based on the Taylor series approximation. For

simplicity and incremental steps, a linear interpolation/extrapolation of the
additional time step increments is performed to improve the solution.

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The test results prove that the adaptive load flow method can improve the
convergence for distribution and transmission systems with significant series
capacitance effects (i.e. negative series reactance). It is also considered to possibly
improve convergence for systems with very small impedance values, but that is not
guaranteed.

One side effect of using this method is reduced calculation speed because of the
incremental steps in the solution

3.2 Current Network Configuration:

The table below shows the existing network components –Lines and Substations
no Line Voltage Source Load LINE CONDUCTOR
name (KV) Supply (AMPS) LENGH SIZE
(KM) (MM2)
1 ALT-BAG 33 BAG 386.8 24.1 185

2 ALT-KAM 33 KAM 271.5 91.6 185

3 KAM-HAS 33 HAS 341.7 22.8 185

4 ALT 11 ALT 149.4 47.7 70

5 LAT 11 ALT 149.4 47.7 70

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 Network components Map

After running the simulation for the existing network using ETAP we can
realize the voltage drop at many points as follow:

- KAM S/S voltage drops due to very low voltage received from HAS S/S (33
KV Feeder).

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- ALT S/S 33 KV Feeder from BAG S/S is overloaded and the losses are not
desirable.

Simulation model for current scenario using ETAP

Composite network in previous figure

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The tables below show simulation results for current scenario

Voltage Profile results:

S/S &LINE POINTS VOLTAGE VOLTAGE

(KV) (%)
HAS S/S 33 BUS 31 93.4

KAM S/S 33 BUS 26.57 80.53

ALT S/S 33 BUUS 27.92 84.62

FARM 27.49 83.3

SHGAG 26.64 80.73
GAL 26.56 80.49
KAM-ALT LINE
MAK 26.4 79.99*
*End of ALT-KAM line

Power losses (technical) results:

SCENARIO TOTAL LOSSES TOTAL LOSSES

(MW) (%)
CURRENT 3.362 11.17

According to the above-mentioned problems we have to propose an enhancing

method to improve the network performance.

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3.4 Proposed Scenario:
A proposed scenario has been summarized into the following steps:

- Installation of a new 33 KV Line as a second feeder for ALT S/S and also to
carry the loads from ALT-KAM 33 KV Line.
- Installation of 3 Mvar Capacitor at 11 KV side in ALT S/S.
- Installation of 1 Mvar – 33 KV Capacitor at BASH.
- Installation of 1 Mvar – 33 KV Capacitor at BUS 85.
- The maintenance and reoperation of KAM Substation capacitors – 2*4.5 Mvar
at 11 KV side.

Installation of a new 33 KV Line

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16
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 After implementing the above mentioned (possible) solutions, new network
configuration was constructed and thus, simulated using ETAP software under
different working conditions, giving the following results:

Voltage Profile:

S/S &LINE POINTS VOLTAGE (KV) VOLTAGE (%)

HAS S/S 33 BUS 31 93.4

KAM S/S 33 BUS 29.06 88.06

ALT S/S 33 BUUS 31.33 94.95

FARM 31 93.95
SHGAG 30.31 91.85
GAL 30.41 92.15
KAM-ALT LINE
MAK 30.31 91.84

Power Losses (technical):

SCENARIO TOTAL TOTAL LOSSES

LOSSES(MW) (%)
PROPOSED 1.376 4.985

Results Comparison for both scenarios:

SCENARIO KAM ALT FARM SHAG GAL MAK

BUS 33 BUS 33 KV 33 KV 33 KV 33 KV
KV 33 KV
CURRENT 80.53 84.62 83.3 80.73 80.49 79.99
PROPOSED 88.06 94.95 93.95 91.85 92.15 91.84

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Energy Savings:

ENERGY SAVING
DETAILS MW MILLION
SDG
CURRENT PROPOSED SAVING/HOUR SAVING/YEAR
SCENARIO SCENARIO
LOSSES LOSSES
VALUES 3.362 1.376 1.986 10.612

Line recovery period:

LINE COST ENERGY RECOVERY PERIOD

SAVINGS/YEAR (YEAR)
19.8584 M SDG 10.612 M SDG 1.87

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 CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Conclusion
After the completion of this project, an integrated idea about electrical losses in

distribution network was formed in term of their causes, consequences on electrical

energy, and reduction methods. In essence, the project objectives stated in project

were satisfactorily met:

i. The mainly causes of power losses in power system was well defined and

known either as technical losses or non-technical losses in distribution

system.

ii. Proper solutions to reduce or prevent mentioned losses by the distribution

company were adopted and the result of its implementation on the

advancement on electrical grid had been proved.

iii. Real case simulated using ETAP to calculate technical losses. And the

results were obtained. Improvement of voltage profile in all network,

enhancing power factor.

iv. We found after implementation that new load can be added.

v. The value of saved energy was obtained and the recovery period of the

new distribution line cost was obtained.

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4.2 recommendations
After implementation of above solutions and results obtained, we

recommend that some other measures and techniques can be adopted by

distribution company:

i. Installing of new distribution line (33kv) from HAS S/S to KAM S/S

ii. Transfer loads from ALT area to KAM area

iii. Disciplines and Supervision of maintenance works of capacitors .

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REFRENCES

[1]. Millard (South Africa) and Mike Emmerton (Hong Kong), “Non-Technical

Losses – How do other countries tackle the problem?” AMEU 2010.

[2]. SarangPande and Prof. Dr. J.G. Ghodekar. “Computation of Technical

Power Loss of Feeders and Transformers in Distribution System using Load

Factor and Load Loss Factor Wagh institute”, Nashik India June 2012

[3]. “NON-TECHNICAL LOSSES IN ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEMS”, A

Thesis Presented to College of Engineering and Technology, Ohio University

November 2002.

[4]. “Analysis of nontechnical losses and its economic consequences on power

system” submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of

degree of master of engineering to Thapa University in Patiala. June 2009

engineering 1999

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