Design and impact of wireless AMI for distribution utilities

Abstract

In the present scenario, the electrical distribution utilities are facing problems due to high energy losses, poor power quality and unreliability of power supply. The problem is mainly associated with distribution networks because the distribution is the most critical segment of the electricity business chain. The real challenge of reforms in the power sector lies in efficient management of the distribution sector. It would have to be clearly recognized that power sector will remain unviable until transmission and distribution (T&D) losses are brought down significantly. The large number of states has been reporting losses of over 40% in the recent years (Ministry of Power). The technological up gradation and consumer participation will reduce these losses. The electric power infrastructure is also under pressure due continuing growth in demand, high losses in distribution sector. There is an urgent need for ensuring recovery of cost of service from consumers to make the power sector sustainable, all combining to drive the development of a highly automated delivery system. Now the challenges, which an electrical utility is facing, are high aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses, distribution transformer (DT) failures, unreliability of power system, unregulated voltage profile at consumer end and over loading in DTs and feeders. The research work is an insight into the design and impact of smart metering for solving such problems.