Analysis of COVID-19 effect on residential loads and distribution transformers

Abstract

This paper analyzes the impact of COVID-19 pandemic situation on residential loads and local distribution transformer. The transformers’ operating conditions in terms of hottest winding temperature, top oil transformer, loss of life (%LOL) are analyzed considering different loads and harmonics content in the transformer currents. Based on these analyses, safe operating conditions of transformer are derived. Six types of consumers having different consumption patterns and different type of residential loads are considered for the analysis. In order to mitigate the adverse impacts of COVID-19 on loads and distribution transformer, the use of behind-the-meter (BTM) photovoltaic (PV) source, battery energy storage and electric vehicle, load scheduling, and less utilization of loads that have distortion factors during office hours are proposed. A performance comparison has been made without and with considering the proposed BTM solution, load scheduling and loads having distortion factors. Simulation results show that, due to lockdown situation of COVID-19 issue, the residential loads consumptions increase during office hours and hence the local distribution transformer gets affected. Also, the proposed BTM solution, load scheduling and less utilization of loads having harmonic distortion can cope up with the increased energy consumptions during office hours.