2. NEED OF THE HOUR
Distribution system forms the ultimate link in the power system between the utility
and end user. Customer expectations also have gone up to provide
Reliable and quality power
Timely redressal of complaints
Accurate metering and billing without errors
Facility & Flexibility of payment of bills from home
Many more in the wish list
This can be only possible if the human element at work is replaced to a good extent
by automating the operations and use of Information technology becomes
indispensable at this juncture
• What do we need to do to meet the expectations
• Replace still old, conventional, manual systems being continued in most of discoms
• With the growth of network and the number of customers adopt newer
technologies that provide faster service
3. • Where human intervention is unable to cope up, adopt automation using the
available & powerful IT tools
• The end result should be that customers are to be provided service levels like
in other sectors like banking, communications etc.
• All these would improve the image of the utility
NEED OF THE HOUR
4. The focus areas of IT applications are
• Quality and reliability of supply
• Accurate of billing
• Easy payment mechanisms
• Better complaints handling
IT is used in energy audit,
Estimation of baseline losses &
Substation /Distribution automation
AREAS OF FOCUS
5. IT INITIATIVES
Aims at
Improvement of efficiency by way of elimination of delays, duplication, drudgery
in paperwork
Reduction in overall expenditure.
Provides quick and efficient information systems like on line billing, collection and
on line report generation..
Very fast reconciliation between important activities of metering, billing and
collection.
Web based servicing.
To attain transparency and gain credibility.
Customer satisfaction.
6. New Trends
• Automated Meter Reading
• Web Based Servicing
• Trouble Call Management System
• SCADA
• Consumer Analysis Tool (CAT)
IT IMPLEMENTATION INITIATIVES
7. IT in System Planning
Load forecast is an important parameter for system planning
Requires accurate data of the system like energy consumption for last 10 years,
maximum demand
Methods of load forecast
Trends: The trends for the growth in energy and consumption are computed
based on the past data are
To forecast the future demand / energy
IT IN SYSTEM PLANNING
8. Econometric Approach: Focuses on identification of correlation between
demand and variables such as growth in GDP, population and households in the
forecast
• End-use Approach: Focuses on uses of electricity, takes into account specific
consumption of major appliances, degree of saturation of each appliance per
customer, number of customer
Using the load forecast developed using appropriate models, appropriate system
planning package is to be selected for running the load flows
IT IN SYSTEM PLANNING
9. SCADA: Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition
It is a system that enables an electric utility to remotely monitor, coordinate and
operate distribution components in a real time from remote location.
IT IN SYSTEM OPERATION
10. The basic components of SCADA system are
• Control center
• Controlled plant
• Communication system
• SCADA platform uses a master slave communication principle and controls the
remote end equipment through Remote Terminal Unit
IT IN SYSTEM OPERATION
11. • RTU can perform several functions like data acquisition, switching of circuit
breakers / capacitors, changing of taps etc. based on the commands received
from the control centre.
IT IN SYSTEM OPERATION
12. • In the later versions of SCADA, RTUs are being replaced with IEDs (Intelligent
Electronic Devices), which have the capability of measuring, monitoring,
control, protection and communicating to the local operator or to the remote
host
(Ex: Numerical Relays)
IT IN SYSTEM OPERATION
13. We can build a Distribution Automation system using the SCADA kernel which
can accomplish many functions such as:
• Substation Automation
• Feeder monitoring and control
• Load Management
• Automated Meter reading
• Trouble call management
• Load Survey & Energy audit and so on
IT IN SYSTEM OPERATION
14. Feeder Monitoring and Control
• For any transient fault in the line, the auto reclosure first trips and then closes
after a set time
• Sectionalisers help us in isolating the fault during permanent faults and the
supply can be restored for the rest of the line
Operation of SCADA requires a good Communication system for which the
options available are
• Public switched telephone networks
• Power line carrier communication
• Radio frequency (RF) point-to point/ point-to-multipoint communications
• Optical fibers
• VSAT
• Ethernet
Choose a judicious system considering the functionality and costs
IT IN SYSTEM OPERATION
15. IT IN METERING SYSTEM
• Metering technologies have evolved over a period of time starting from
electromechanical meters to static meters and later on to the smart meters
• The capabilities of meters range from simple recording of energy to
communication of recorded energy to either a data collecting device or a billing
computer through an appropriate communication system.
• Smart meters not only record energy, display the price signals given by the utility
but can also run the appliances in the home as per the programme given by the
user to optimise the costs.
16. STATIC (ELECTRONIC) ENERGY
METERS
• The static energy meters are micro processor based. The programmability of
micro processor is useful to incorporate different features like tamper data,
import-export, time-of day metering, load pattern analysis, remote meter
reading.
• Tamper Data: Data pertaining to tamper such as missing potential, CT polarity
reversal, phase sequence reversal can be detected.
17. STATIC ENERGY METERS
(CONT.)
• Time of day metering: The meters have built in real time clock to record
energy usage for different times of the day in different registers in the meter.
• Day is divided into different time zones, the duration of each time zone is
programmable and the user can define their time zones as per their
requirement. The meter records the energy consumed in each of the time
zones separately and exhibits accordingly. For all HT &EHT consumers in TN
& Kerala this is done.
• Load Survey Data :The meter has the provision to store the billing and tamper
data for 35 days at specified logging interval. This is useful to draw the load
curves of KWH, KVAH, KVA, which gives the load pattern of the consumer
• Import-export Metering: The meter can measure the energy in both
directions.
18. MRI (METER READING
INSTRUMENT)
• MRI: This is used for data transfer from/to meter to/from the system, for
analysis of data and billing.
The MRI can be preloaded with meter numbers to be read and optionally the
MRI can also have a bar code reader, which will be useful to identify the s.no. of
the meter.
In case of HT services with load survey data, MRI is very essential for transfer of
data from meter to computer
MRI can also be used for LT energy meters.
• Printer also can be attached and a bill can be generated immediately upon
reading the meter.
• MRI shall contain the meter sno. And the previous reading. The entire data can
be off loaded at the end of the day
19. TELEMETERING
• Transfer of metered data through a communi-cation network is necessary, to
have constant monitoring
• The meter shall be connected to a telephone line at the consumer end via a
modem.
• At the system end also the computer is connected to the telephone via a
modem.
• Whenever data is to be accessed by the computer. the consumer telephone
number to be dialed and the modem connected to the telephone will
connect to the meter
.
20. REMOTE METERING
• All 11 kv feeders with predominantly agl. Loads, major industrial loads and
selected high value consumers are equipped with data loggers, which store data,
which can be retrieved locally through CMRI .
• They have communication port RS232 and are read remotely through dial up
modems
• This helps in conducting load survey, avoid overloading of conductors and also
in reduction of losses.
• Cases of tampered meters or meters not recording properly and cases of
pilferage can be detected.
21. AUTOMATIC METER READING
Automatic Meter Reading is a technique to transfer the Meter data / information to
a remote location via suitable communication media and necessary hardware set
up.
Electronic
Energy
Meter
Media
Interface
device
(Out station)
Data
Communication
Media
PSTN / GSM
Media
Interface
Device
(In station)
Host PC at
Meter Reading
Station with
compatible
software
AMR uses various Communication technologies
as PSTN / GSM
22. WHAT IS AMI
• AMI stands for Advanced metering Infrastructure where not only the meter is
read but many other functions such as consumer demand management is
also done using suitable controller through secure and suitable two way
communication
23. SMART METERS
• Smart meter is an advanced electrical metering device that records electricity
consumption at regular defined intervals, communicates with utility servers on
a real time basis, provides remote connect and disconnect facilities and
captures significant events ie., power outage notification, demand side
management and power quality monitoring
• Smart meters can also run the smart appliances as per the preset
programmeSmart meters are equipped with AMI features like LAN, HAN,
automatic switching, demand response as well as theft monitoring and control.
• The most important features of a smart meter is a 2 way interface between the
meter and utility.
• This ensures the continuous monitoring and gives alerts in case the meter is
subjected to any tampering
24. AMI PROCESS
Meter communicates with Meter Data Management System ( MDMS) on one
side and the Home Area Network (HAN)
Meter Data
Management
System
Meter
compliant to
AMI (
Smart
meter)
Home Area network
Zig bee communication
25. IT TO REDUCE AT&C LOSSES
• IT is an important tool to analyze the total input into the system by collecting
the meter reading data from all the boundary metering points
• The billed units and billed demand are collected from the server. The
collected amounts are also gathered from the server.
• The difference of the collected amount against the billing demand
represents the AT&C losses
26. ENERGY LOSSES IN THE POWER
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Technical Losses Commercial Losses
11 kV line losses. Theft by direct tapping.
Distribution transformer
losses (iron and copper
losses)
Theft by tampering meters,
CTs and PTs.
LT line losses. Non-performing meters.
Losses due to loose jumper
connections.
Under-performing meters.
Short circuit and earth fault
losses.
Meters not read.
Losses in service mains
and energy meters.
Mistakes in billing, etc.
27. DETERMINATION OF TECHNICAL
LOSSES ON THE 11 KV FEEDER
• Technical losses on the 11 kV feeder are assessed by conducting load flow
analysis of the individual 11 kV feeders including distribution transformer
and LT distribution losses.
Steady state model of the network is used to find technical losses
• The loads are considered to be of constant impedance.
• Load Factor of a transformer is evaluated by computing the energy input to
the transformer and the peak load on the transformer and the hours for
which the transformer is in service
28. ENERGY LOSSES IN
THE POWER
DISTRIBUTION
SYSTEM
• Loss Load Factor is computed by using the formula
LLF = 0.3 (LF) + 0.7 (LF)²
Commercial losses are assessed by deducting
technical losses from the total losses of the feeder, i.e.
the difference between energy sent out and the energy
sold.
Commercial loss
in the feeder = Energy loss – Technical loss.
29. The following activities are undertaken to record these losses:
The meter reading schedules of meter readers are revised and made coterminous
with distribution transformers.
The distribution transformer meter is also read and comparison is made between
distribution transformer meter reading and sum total of consumption recorded in
all other consumer meters coming under that distribution transformer. The
difference is noted. If the losses are found to be high, action is initiated to trace
the installation causing losses.
DETERMINING COMMERCIAL
LOSSES
30. ACTIONS RECOMMENDED FOR
REDUCING TECHNICAL LOSSES
• Reconfiguration;
• Reconductoring;
• Employing Shunt Capacitors;
• Conversion from Single Circuit to Double Circuit;
• Setting up of more substations;
• Changeover from Low Voltage Distribution System (LVDS) to High Voltage
distribution System (HVDS).
• Changeover to static meters with tamper proof data and remote metering
facility;
• Replacing all burnt, stuck up, non-performing and underperforming
meters;
• Calibrating the existing meters;
• Flying squads and Special task force for detection of pilferage of energy;
• AMR for online energy recording.
31. IT IN ENERGY ACCOUNTING
AND ENERGY AUDIT
• Energy accounting and energy audit is an important tool for the utility, which
provides the means to identify the areas of leakage, wastage or inefficient use
of energy
• It helps in identifying measures suitable for reduction of T&D losses and can
lead to significant cost and energy savings
32. ENERGY AUDITING IN A POWER
UTILITY INVOLVES
• Identifying energy losses and quantifying them;
• Segregating the losses into technical and commercial losses;
• Estimating the energy conservation potential of a system; and
• Proposing economically viable and attractive solutions.
33. PROCEDURE FOR CONDUCTING
AN ENERGY AUDIT
1. Gathering and collecting information in a specially designed, “Energy Systems
Questionnaire” format, for the Utility under study,
2. Inter-and – intra-utility comparison of the collected data.
3. Assessment of present efficiency index for energy consumption in the
utility/transformation.
4. In-depth study of utility operation, equipment and system for a general review of
the energy systems to assess the operational efficiency and potential for
economising.
5. Evaluation of the detailed recommendations for energy conservation,
6. Formulation of detailed action plans / strategies in consultation with plant
management for implementation of the identified energy saving measures.
7. Training operating personnel in the specifics of energy conservation to
enable them to implement the recommendations and also to monitor the
progress on a periodic basis.
34. SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS
All the utilities of AP have implemented the following IT applications, which are
working satisfactorily providing better customer service
• Web based applications for bill enquiry and bill payment to provide ease of
payments
• Centralized trouble call centre for fuse off call complaints
• Spot billing using Hand held computers
• Consumer analysis tool to identify high risk class of customers
• Monitoring and tracking system for pilferage of energy cases.
• Transformer information and management system
35. SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS
MSEDCL implementing photo metering for
metering of the LT consumers.
• Photo Metering: Data entry software
embedded in the digital camera. Image of the
meter is uploaded to the computer which also
captures the meter reading and then the bill is
generated.
• Photographs are processed through software
and converted into an MSEDCL defined format
• The company reports 40% increase in
consumption after introduction of this method.
36. It is left to your ingenuity to look for more IT applications to improve the
Distribution system efficiency at large to make the power sector
A REALLY POWERFUL SECTOR
THE FINAL WORD
