Investigation of Voltage Unbalance Profile in Low Voltage Electrical Distribution Network with Normal Mode Operation Using MATLAB

Abstract

With ever increasing use of semiconductor devices and information technology (ICT) equipment in the industry, homes and offices, power quality is gaining attention to both industry and the electric utility. Power voltage quality cause huge economic losses to businesses all over the world. It is estimated to cost industry and commerce about €100 billion per annum in European Union, since voltage quality problem is one of the major power quality disturbances. This paper presents an investigative a study of the 11/0.4 kV, low voltage electrical distribution network and analyzes voltage unbalance. It recommends an effective method of improving the voltage profile and reducing the voltage unbalance to acceptable standard. The network was modelled using distribution network standard parameters for low voltage distribution network using MATLAB/Simulink sim power system tool box. The simulation results show that the percentage voltage unbalance, correct voltage profile and minimum voltage drop of 0.5 km distribution feeder line is of standard acceptable statutory limit, hence the distribution line operates at optimum performance. However, it is also established that the voltage profile for distribution network feeder lengths of 0.8 km to 5 km for balanced and unbalanced distribution lines from the beginning to the customer terminal of the distribution lengths are less than the acceptable allowable limit of – 5 %, of the nominal voltage value, hence voltages are inadmissible for customers use. Moreso, the percentage voltage unbalance, voltage profile and voltage drop on 0.8 km to 5 km distribution feeder line are all less than standard acceptable statutory limit, hence the distribution line operates below optimum performance. It was established that mitigating these problems require the electricity distribution company to install an effective voltage boosting devices along the network lengths in order provide admissible, permissible and normalize end users standard acceptable voltage.