ELECTRICAL ENERGY CONSERVATION AND LOSS. REDUCTION IN A TYPICAL RURAL POWER NETWORK

Abstract

Electricity is the most common, most convenient and cleanest form of energy at the end use. Given its universal usage for lighting and domestic appliances, it affects everyone in terms of quality of life and ease of use. In addition, it has a strategic importance in that it is a prime mover of economic activity and is essential for any industrial activity. We, as a nation, have so much obsessed with supply side thinking i.e., more. generation and more power plants. The demand side management, system efficiency improvement has been given-a go by. The later can considerably reduce both economic and environmental cost. To appreciate the factors affecting the availability. of power to consumer, it will be useful to go into the mechanics of power supply system and its main .components. The supply of power to different load centres situated at dispersed locations becomes problematic due to huge capital investment, high energy loss and low voltage. The objective of the proposed study is to reduce the transmission and distribution losses which are as high as 23%. The thesis covers the study of methodology of a new distribution system for future rural electrification, reinforcement and reconfiguration (changing system topology) in existing electrification so as to reduce the transmission and distribution losses. For assessment of voltage variation, Peak power losses and yearly energy losses, a computer programme coded in C' has been presented. This computer aided technique is quick and accurate in comparison to the conventional technique (kVA-km) method.