Development Issues of Systems for Automation and Digitalization of Power Distribution Networks

Abstract

This paper studies 0.4 kV power distribution networks (PDNs) and automated systems for electricity monitoring and metering (ASEMM). As is known, a main task of ASEMMs is to digitalize PDNs, which is aimed at improving the efficiency and reliability of their operation. It is advisable that new models, methods, and intelligent technologies used for automation and informatization of distribution networks should also be focused on minimizing their power losses, which are currently fairly high and significantly compromise the technical and economic performance of automation systems employed and PDNs. Modern (conventional) ASEMMs, implemented at the facilities of utilities, do not have the appropriate technical, algorithmic, and software tools to reduce power losses in the PDN. This is due to the fact that conventional ASEMMs mainly collect remote data from the system meters and ensure their digital processing for the purpose of revenue metering of electricity. In this regard, the paper proposes methodological, algorithmic, and digital technologies to accomplish a set of new functional tasks in the conventional ASEMMs, aimed at reducing power losses in PDNs by optimizing their operating conditions.

Algorithmic foundations of automated monitoring of commercial and technical power losses in distribution networks

“…1) and virtual networks (Fig. 2) under conditions (4) and (5) shows that the following ratios for the complex currents 𝐼 , 𝐼 and ∆𝐼 are valid: Complex resistances 𝑍 of loads of network customers are known values which are calculated on the basis of readings (data) of customer electricity meters according to the formulas:…”

“…As it is known, ASCMPC hardware-software complexes belong to the class of information-measuring systems, the main function of which is commercial accounting of electric power in PDNs. The analysis of the functional structure of existing ASCMPCs shows that they do not solve the tasks of separate identification and operational monitoring of technical and commercial power losses in the network [3], as well as do not perform optimization tasks [4][5][6][7], which reduces their efficiency and technical and economic performance of distribution companies. In particular, this is due to the fact that to date, adequate and constructive methods for solving the above problems have not been sufficiently developed, taking into account such factors as the presence of unauthorized power withdrawals (UPW) in the network [8 -10], and the asymmetry of PDN operation modes [11][12][13][14].…”