GIS BASED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM PLANNING

Abstract

Distribution system constitutes to be a significant part of the total power system. Out of total system losses, distribution system losses constitute a major part ranging from 75 to 80 percent and 99 percent of consigner outages are attributable to distribution system. This brings about the realization that optimal planning studies are essential in the distribution system. In this work, load estimation, substation sitting, load flow analysis, conductor grading and capacitor allocation problems for radial distribution system planning have been considered using a geographic information system (GIS) platform. A GIS is a system for management, analysis and display of geographic knowledge, which is represented using a series of information sets such as maps, geographic data sets, processing and work flow models, data models, and metadata. The GIS can be regarded as a collection of computer hardware, software, geographic data, procedures, and personnel designed to efficiently capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze, and display all forms of spatially referenced data. It is a system of mapping of complete electrical network including low voltage system and customer supply points with latitude and longitudes overloaded on satellite imaging and/or survey of India maps. Layers of information are contained in these map representations. The first layer corresponds to the distribution network coverage. The second layer corresponds to the land background containing roads, landmarks, buildings, rivers, railway crossings etc. The next layer could contain information on the equipment viz poles, conductors, transformers etc. A GIS is chiefly used to collect, manipulate, analyze and present information that is linked to a location on the earth's surface. Most of the electrical network/equipment has a geographical location and the full benefit of any network improvement can be had only if the work is carried out in the geographical context.