HIGH POWER LOSS REDUCTION IN ENUGU ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS USING HEURISTIC TECHNIQUE FOR CAPACITOR PLACEMENT

ABSTRACT

This project involves research on loss reduction in a distribution system. The Enugu distribution system is the case study. The type of losses, the causes of losses and methods of loss reduction in distribution system were presented. A method based on a heuristic technique for reactive loss reduction in distribution system is chosen for this work because it provides realistic sizes and locations for shunt capacitors on primary feeder at a low computational burden. The Gauss-siedel method was used for load analysis while simulation work was done using MATLAB software. The variation of the load during the year is considered. The capital and installation cost of the capacitors are also taken into account. The economical power factor is also determined so as to achieve maximum savings. This method is applied to a 34 bus, 11KV, 6MVA distribution system with original power factor of 0.85. The results from the analysis shorw that the losses are reduced from 59.2692 to 49.4KW using capacitor maximum rating of 1200 (750+450) KVAR at an optimum power factor of 0.96. This translates to a saving of N39,500.00 per year after amortizing the capital and installation costs of applying the compensating capacitors.