GIS-based cost distribution analysis of new consumer connections to an urban power grid

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a method of cost distribution analysis of new consumer connections to a city power grid by accounting for spatial restrictions and characteristics of existing networks. In practice, the calculation of connection costs for each new consumer includes the network design and financial expenditure. We suggest that connection costs should be calculated for the whole city based on the normative parameters at the stage when the object location is selected by investors and when power grid development is planned by power companies. The proposed method enables the modeling of new power line connection routes from every parcel of city land to possible points of connection to the operating networks based on the raster design of the area. The optimal path is chosen by one criterion consisting of two components: the costs of both laying new power lines and providing sufficient power reserve in the chosen network connection point. Realized as a computer program, the method has been used to calculate the costs of connections to low-voltage power lines.