Strategy to quantify and minimize energy losses on distribution networks.

Abstract

High energy losses occur during the distribution of electricity to the end user in Uganda. These are both technical and non-technical losses. The purpose of this study was to develop an action plan to quantify, investigate problem areas and come up with possible solutions to minimize distribution energy losses on the WENRECo network which is one of the severely affected networks with a total energy loss of 20%. From the models developed in DIgSILENT, the total technical losses on the WENRECo network were around 7% and non-technical losses were 13%. From the analysis, we realized that Feeder 2 on the WENRECo network contributed to the largest losses and therefore we recommend WENRECo to put in place the following technical loss reduction measures: re-conductoring on feeder 2 to minimize feeder losses due to overloading, installing a 2.5MVar capacitor bank at Arua power station to mitigate losses due to poor power factor and Feeder reconfiguration by Interconnecting Feeder 2 and Feeder 3. With the above measures implemented, the losses on the WENRECo network reduced by around 3%. We also recommend them to also change the bare LV cables with ABC cables, replacing old meters, monitoring all grid meters, energy audits of large consumers, etc to minimize the non-technical losses.