Abstract
We present a novel application of radio frequency wireless mesh network and general packet radio service technologies in a telemetry solution to measure power flow in the energy network of an electricity distribution company. The telemetry solution utilizes some selected circuits of grid stations and calculates total power consumed, total power imported, and total power exported by the distribution company. The selection of circuits for sensors installation is the key for reducing solution cost as compared to the case when sensors are installed on all the power output points. The framework involves installation of specially developed energy sensors (smart energy meters) and data concentrator units at the selected grid stations for measurement of energy data that include active energy, reactive energy, active power, apparent power, current, voltage, and power factor. The measured data reach the data concentrator unit using a 433-MHz wireless mesh network and are transmitted to a remote power control center using general packet radio service. Energy data from different grid stations across the energy network are collected at the power control center and utilized in calculation of total power consumed, total power imported, and total power exported. The approach has been tested on two electricity distribution companies of Pakistan: the Islamabad Electric Supply Company and Peshawar Electric Supply Company. Also in this work, the result of overload detection based on a generalized likelihood ratio test for an industrial feeder of the Islamabad Electric Supply Company is included. Detection probability of 0.96 with a false alarm probability of 0.04 has been achieved for a 30-min data interval.
Highlights
Most utilities in developing countries are neither able to remotely measure power usage of individual consumers nor to calculate real-time total power consumption of the complete region serviced by that utility [1]
As electricity distribution company (EDC)’ manually calculated power consumption values are often inaccurate and delayed, the power monitoring office ends up preparing load-shedding schedules, which either disconnect end consumer power for extra time durations or make EDCs go beyond their allocated power quotas
As the developed solution is to be implemented in developing countries, it should be cost-effective and swift in installation with the primary objective of obtaining real-time EDC total power consumption in power control center (PCC)
Summary
Most utilities (electricity distribution companies) in developing countries are neither able to remotely measure power usage of individual consumers nor to calculate real-time total power consumption of the complete region serviced by that utility [1]. The contributions of the paper include the implementation of a real-time system for an EDC that measures and monitors power imported, power exported, and power consumed; the utilization of both RF and GPRS technologies in the proposed framework; and the identification of efficient sensor installation points, resulting in lower system cost. With these contributions, logged power consumption profiles are available for analysis that help in controlling, forecasting, and planning the consumption patterns, which results in buying cheaper power from the generation company.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
