Electricity Consumers Research Articles

PENYEIMBANGAN BEBAN TRANSFORMATOR DISTRIBUSI PCC-007 UNTUK MENGURANGI RUGI-RUGI JARINGAN PADA TEGANGAN MENENGAH 20KV

The distribution system of electrical power networks serves as a means to distribute electrical energy to both industrial and household consumers. With the increasing population growth, the number of electrical energy users or consumers also increases, potentially impacting the loading on each distribution transformer. If the loading on each transformer increases, it can lead to overload, load imbalance, power losses, and damage to the transformer. Therefore, to ensure the proper operation of distribution transformers, PLN (a state-owned electricity company in Indonesia) has set a standard for the loading on distribution transformers, which should not exceed 80%. This research aims to measure the loading on distribution transformers and analyze the occurrence of power losses caused by load imbalance. Measurements are conducted using a clamp meter and earth tester to obtain current and voltage values as well as the resistance value of grounding. Subsequently, calculations are performed for transformer loading, load imbalance, and power losses on the feeder.

Power system flexibility analysis using net-load forecasting based on deep learning considering distributed energy sources and electric vehicles

Today, wind and solar energy sources have opened their place in the power system due to their environmental appeal. With the presence of these renewable energy sources (RESs), forecasting net load (NL) and its ramp are of huge importance owing their fundamental role in evaluating and improving the flexibility of the power grid. However, it is challenging to analysis flexibility and NL ramps using NL forecasts due to the uncertainty of RESs. Furthermore, the surge in the number of electric vehicles (EVs) as notable electricity consumers, and how their charging strategy can affect the NL curve are matters of concern. Most NL forecasting and flexibility analyses overlook the concurrent integration of wind and solar sources. Moreover, the impact of controlled EVs charging on grid flexibility remains largely unexplored. Existing studies also fail to assess the proper combination of wind and solar energy sources for future flexibility needs. This paper presents a framework for forecasting NL and detecting ramps with the simultaneous presence of EVs and RESs to investigate the impact of controlled charging of EVs on flexibility. Investigating charging of EVs as a solution is delved deeply in this paper to reduce NL ramps and improve flexibility. The numerical results show that controlled EVs charging may lead to 3% ramp reduction and 52% increment in the system flexibility. This paper also proposes to forecast and find the proper combination of RESs for the next years, leading to a 75% increment in the system flexibility compared to the business as usual RESs penetration.

Exploring the effects of information sources on consumers’ purchase intentions for electric vehicles: evidence from China

This study aims to explore the relationship between different electric vehicle (EV) information sources and consumers’ psychological perceptions and purchase intentions for EVs. Based on the survey data from 1,311 respondents in pilot cities, the analysis results show that authority and peer sources are positively associated with economic, psychological, and environmental benefits and negatively correlated with financial, performance, and physical safety risks. Moreover, media sources are positively associated with the psychological and environmental benefits of EVs but negatively related to performance and physical safety risks. Beyond our expectation, media sources lack significant impact on financial risk and economic benefit. Furthermore, financial, performance, and physical safety risks are negatively associated with purchase intention; whereas psychological and economic benefits are positively related to purchase intention. Unfortunately, the relationship between environmental benefit and purchase intention has not been confirmed. Additionally, policy recommendations for the further promotion of EVs are discussed.

Optimal production decision of hybrid power generation enterprises in multi-quota policy coupled markets

At present, China is adopting both Carbon Emission Trading (CET) and Tradable Green Certificate (TGC) markets to optimize the resource allocation of its power industry. To mitigate the impacts of the above dual markets, more and more power generation enterprises are adopting hybrid production mode, generating electricity from thermal and new energy units simultaneously. In these complex production and market conditions, enterprises are difficult to arrange their generation activities. This research describes the production decision process of hybrid power generation enterprises with different market positions, obtains their optimal yield, and then offers market equilibrium results. In addition, the consequences of enterprise collusion behaviors and government interventions are also measured. Numerical experiment results confirm the correctness of the production decision model and reveal the following facts: 1) CET and TGC markets effectively control the carbon emission level and promote the consumption of new energy, but magnify the failure of electricity market to a certain extent. 2) CET and TGC markets promote each other in function. The existence of one market can help the other to achieve the anticipated goal. 3) Enterprises first offset the impact of market condition changes by adjusting the share of new energy generation, and then digest the residual influence by adjusting the total power generation. 4) Enterprise collusion behaviors aggravate the welfare loss of electricity consumer and then lower the expected effects of CET and TGC markets.

On the question of electrical safety in physiotherapy rooms: protective grounding of electrical equipment

Abstract. The article discusses current issues of electrical safety in medical and preventive organizations. Goal: to attract the attention of physiotherapy specialists to the correct organization of protective grounding as the main means of preventing electrical injuries. Material and research: modern regulatory framework for the technical operation of electrical installations of electrical energy consumers in medical premises, the selection and use of electrical equipment and grounding devices, the frequency of inspections, measurements and tests, passports of grounding devices. Conclusion. It seems important to carry out measures to prevent accidents during the operation of physiotherapeutic equipment in each physiotherapy unit. To increase the level of organization of work on electromedical devices. Exclude the admission of personnel to the work of paramedical personnel without mandatory verification of the implementation of organizational and technical measures in the preparation of workplaces. Health care facilities should regularly hold occupational safety days, during which health care personnel should learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills, which today can be done in multidisciplinary accreditation and simulation centers of medical universities and academies.

A Single-Buyer Model of Imbalance Cost Pass-Through Pricing Forecasting in the Malaysian Electricity Supply Industry

The imbalance cost pass-through (ICPT) is a flexible component of the incentive-based regulation (IBR) that empowers power producers to adjust tariffs in response to variable fuel prices, thereby enhancing the economic resilience of electricity generation. In Malaysia, the Energy Commission has conducted biannual reviews of fuel and other generation costs. Any cost savings or increases identified during these reviews will be passed on to customers in the form of rebates or surcharges. Meanwhile, if an increment in the ICPT price signal can be provided to electricity providers and consumers, early preparation for operation budgeting can be realised, and energy management program development can be properly prepared. Due to this reason, this study proposes ICPT price forecasting for the electricity market in Peninsular Malaysia that will benefit the stakeholders. The study aims to construct an ICPT-related baseline model for the peninsular generation data by employing three forecasting methods. The forecasting performance is analysed using the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). In light of our findings, the ARIMA method is one of the most accurate forecasting methods for fuel prices compared to the moving average (MA) and LSSVM methods. The observed price differences between the ARIMA and LSSVM models for ICPT are minimal. The ICPT price for July–December 2022 and January–June 2023 is MYR 0.21/kWh for the ARIMA and MYR 0.18/kWh for LSSVM, which are close to the actual TNB’s ICPT tariff. As for forecasting, the ICPT price is expected to drop in the next announcement. The findings of this study may have a positive impact on the sustainability of the energy sector in Malaysia.

Renewable Energy Support Through Feed-in Tariffs: A Retrospective Stakeholder Analysis

Abstract This study develops a generalized evaluation framework that can be used to quantify the financial, economic, stakeholder, and environmental impacts of renewable energy support programs. The application of this framework is demonstrated by evaluating the feed-in tariff (FIT) program for solar distributed energy resources (DER) in Ontario, Canada. Our analysis reveals that Ontario’s FIT program has successfully promoted the adoption of solar DER across communities. However, the program has caused inequitable societal outcomes through a cross-subsidization with a present value of 9 CAD billion, paid for by the electricity consumer base for the benefit of only the 0.06 percent of electricity consumers who could install solar systems. The cost imposed on the Canadian economy ranges from 2.86 to 5.37 CAD billion, depending on the discount rate applied. The sensitivity analysis results indicate that the burden of this program on the Canadian economy would have been reduced by 50 percent if the program had been delayed and implemented in 2016 instead of 2010 due to the declining trend in solar system investment costs. The lessons from this analysis provide insights for designing future environmental and emission reduction policies.

Ökologischer Umbau von Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft: Kosten und Nutzen

Abstract This article weighs up the costs and benefits of the expansion of renewable energy technologies for electricity generation in Germany. According to calculations of the German Ministry of Economic Affairs, this expansion has cost electricity consumers almost 300 billion euros since the introduction of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) in 2000. Moreover, payment obligations of a similar magnitude are already in place for the next two decades. However, with the accelerated expansion of renewables following Russia’s attack on Ukraine, politicians are accepting costs well in excess of this approximately 600 billion. Given the costs already incurred, a cost-benefit analysis is imperative, not least because further costs in the three-digit billion range are not included in the 600 billion figure, such as the costs for grid expansion, which would not be necessary to the same extent without the expansion of renewables. Against this backdrop, strict attention should be paid to cost discipline in the further expansion of renewables by ensuring that the Federal Network Agency only issues technology-neutral rather than technology-specific tenders for the expansion of renewables in future. This means that only the most cost-efficient renewable technologies will be installed. Consequently, there will be budgetary scope for future investments that could boost the growth potential of the German economy more than the expansion of renewable energies. Contrasting with the high costs, the benefits of expanding renewable energies are modest. For example, the share of renewables in primary energy consumption in 2022 was only around 17 %. With such a low share, achieving greenhouse gas neutrality in 2045 with renewables alone appears to be a tremendous challenge.

The Impact of Privatization of Nigeria’s Electricity Industry on the Quality of Electricity Service Delivery in Lokoja Metropolis

This study empirically examined the impact of the privatization of the electricity industry on electricity service delivery in the Lokoja metropolis by Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC). Data for the study were elicited from copies of structured questionnaire administered to 400 (four hundred) residential electricity consumers in the Lokoja metropolis via the cluster sampling technique. Data were analyzed using simple percentages, frequency distribution tables and the mean (x) score respectively. The rational choice theory which provides insight into how the vested interests of Nigeria’s ruling class compromised the privatization process of the Nation’s electricity industry constituted the theoretical foundation of the study. Findings revealed, among other things, that the privatization of the electricity industry in Nigeria has not translated to significant improvement in power supply in the Lokoja metropolis and that electricity billing is not a fair reflection of the electricity consumption rate in the metropolis. To this end, the study concluded that the privatization of Nigeria’s electricity industry has not impacted positively on electricity service delivery in the Lokoja metropolis. Consequently, the study recommended, amongst others, that the Nigerian government should put in place measures to attract globally reputable electricity utility companies to invest in the Nation’s electricity industry and prepaid metering as against estimated billing should be the sole criterion for determining electricity consumers' tariff in the country.

Progress, Challenges and Opportunities of Electromobility in Mexico

This paper highlights the attempts made by the government to integrate electromobility in Mexico, despite not having a well-defined National Electric Mobility Strategy, and compares the advances, challenges and future opportunities of electromobility with other countries with similar conditions in terms of the public policy, the evolution of the electric vehicles market, the charging infrastructure, incentives and legal framework, and diffusion channels. The results showed that Mexico has made partial advances in the infrastructure, production and exportation of electric vehicles, consumer incentives and project implementation. However, the country requires strengthening strategies on the economic incentives for the user and industry, homologation of chargers, training of personnel specialised in electric vehicles, handling and destination of batteries, and defining its National Electric Mobility Strategy. As a way forward, our study suggests comparing the electromobility strategies of other countries and understanding the key aspects that might enable the successful introduction of electric vehicles.

Comparative analysis of battery energy storage systems’ operation strategies for peak shaving in industries with or without installed photovoltaic capacity

Battery energy storage systems can address energy security and stability challenges during peak loads. This study examines the integration of such systems for peak shaving in industries, whether or not they have photovoltaic capacity. The battery-sizing problem has been analyzed extensively. However, most analyses assume a specific battery operation strategy and ignore the impact of battery-charging schemes on system behavior. In this paper, the authors compare three different operation strategies for charging batteries in an industrial peak-shaving application based on historical demand data from a large electricity consumer in El Salvador. The three strategies are fast charging, time-based charging, and low-power threshold charging. The study analyzes the possible integration of a photovoltaic system with two different sizes for a range of battery sizes (from 250 to 1,500 kWh capacity), examining optimal peak shaving levels, economic savings, and battery degradation. Results indicate that fast-charging reduces monthly billing but degrades batteries faster. The estimated lithium-ion battery lifespan is 10-10.5 years, with a maximum difference of five months. These differences could affect the life cycle economics due to the high costs of battery replacement. The economic savings achieved by the peak shaving operation of the storage system are not enough to compensate the battery investment in this study. However, other case studies with different load profiles or other locations with more expensive electricity tariffs could make the adoption of these systems economically viable.

Design and techno-economic assessment of a standalone photovoltaic-diesel-battery hybrid energy system for electrification of rural areas: A step towards sustainable development

The recent persistent power interruption in Nigeria has significantly disrupted commercial activities, resulting in a magnificent economic loss, supply chain ripples and revenue loss. As a result, harnessing renewable energy sources to generate electricity has become a popular choice for satisfying ever-increasing load demand and reducing apprehensions on global warming and reliance on depleted fossil fuels. The goal of this research is to determine whether powering a remote community with a hybrid energy system (HES) is technologically, financially and environmentally viable. The optimum design of a standalone HES with the diesel generator (DG), photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage system (BSS) is provided in this study to satisfy the electrical power needs of a farm settlement in Kura, Nigeria by considering generation constraints and load demand. This research work presents a genetic algorithm (GA) to minimize wearing cost of the system (WCS), minimize the land needed for the installation of the DG and PV system, minimize the total annual cost of the system (TAC) and maximize the benefit to cost ratio and revenue from electricity consumption. The findings of the research showed that PV/BSS/DG system is a prospective solution to satisfy the load requirements with least TAC of 67374 $/yr, annual maintenance cost (AMC) of 2808.2 $/yr, annual fuel cost (AFC) of 32300 $/yr and annual emission cost (AEC) of 774.2023 $/yr. The outcomes of the study show that a considerable TAC, AMC, AFC and AEC savings of 26766 $/yr (28.43 %), 2808.2 $/yr (53.09 %), 32300 $/yr (25.4 %) and 774.2023 $/yr (60.69 %) are recorded when compared with using DG alone. The control approach applied in this study has reduced the operational capacity of the DG and prevented about 41157 kg/yr, 419.19 kg/yr and 22.52 kg/yr of CO2, NOx and SO2 emissions from being injected into the atmosphere. The simulation outcomes of the research demonstrate that the developed model can significantly reduce cost of electricity in rural communities with the application of HES. Hence, a 45.36 % cost of energy saving has been accomplished through the energy management system introduced in the proposed HES. The study's outcomes can be used as benchmarks to help many countries to enhance access to electricity, raise their living standards and stimulate economic growth. The application of the proposed HES in remote communities can result in greater economic and environmental benefits to a general population of rural dwellers. The findings of the research work are beneficial to designers, independent power providers, investors, researchers and electricity consumers that are looking for a feasible power solution.

Evolutionary game analysis of violation regulation in the electricity market based on blockchain technology

Electricity market violations affect the overall operations of the electricity market. This paper explores the evolutionary stability strategies of electricity generation enterprises and electricity consumers under two modes: traditional regulation and blockchain regulation to analyze blockchain technology’s mechanism and conditions in solving electricity market violations. The experimental results indicate that the likelihood of consumers accepting electricity and the regulatory capacity of regulatory agencies play a crucial role in determining the violation approach adopted by electricity generation enterprises. Under traditional regulatory models, due to information asymmetry, regulatory agencies may not be able to detect violations promptly. Meanwhile, electricity consumers may choose to accept violations by power generation companies due to high appeal costs. Blockchain technology enables regulatory agencies to improve their regulatory capabilities by eliminating information asymmetry, reducing the cost of complaints from electricity consumers, thereby elevating the risk for enterprises engaging in market violations and optimizing the evolutionary game towards an optimum state.

PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ELECTRICITY MARKET OF UKRAINE IN THE CONTEXT OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

The article is devoted to the problems of the transition of the Ukrainian electricity market to a new market model. Such a transition is due to the intentions of further integration of the energy markets of Ukraine and the EU. The transition to a new model of the electric energy market is accompanied by the appearance of new market participants, as well as new financial and economic relations between them. The purpose of the article is to study the theoretical provisions and systematize the main prospects for the development of the electricity market of Ukraine in the context of European integration. The article analyzes the current state of the electric power industry. It was revealed that more than half of the electricity in 2019-2020 was produced at nuclear power plants. The main consumers of electricity were the residential sector and industry. Systematized main problems of the electricity sector: significant role of the state in the market, lack of transparency in setting tariffs for electricity supply services, existence of debts of market participants and electricity consumers. Attention was drawn to the problem of debts of participants in the electricity market. Prospects for the development of the electric power sector in the context of European integration are highlighted: synchronization of legislation, diversification of energy supplies, implementation of a transparent price regulation mechanism. It is also important for Ukraine to use the EU's experience in creating a stable common energy market. The integration of the energy markets of Ukraine and the EU will contribute to the diversification of Ukraine's energy supply and the introduction of new technologies. This process will take place based on the internal energy market of the EU, which will promote investments, energy security and self-regulation in the market.

Residual energy use and energy efficiency improvement of European supermarket facilities during the post-COVID and energy crisis period

Supermarkets are significant consumers of electricity and contribute to the generation of associated pollutant emissions. This will help to mitigate the impact of increased energy costs on the prices of products sold in supermarkets. Therefore, it is essential to reduce energy consumption, starting with the equipment that consumes the most electricity, such as refrigeration, and using the residual thermal energy generated in supermarkets. This paper discusses the impact of rising energy costs in the post-Covid era and during the energy crisis. It evaluates the environmental and energy benefits of implementing energy improvements and utilizing residual energy in real supermarkets. The analysis takes into account the socio-economic characteristics of the EU-27 countries, which affect the economic feasibility of these measures. This would prevent the release of 122 tons of CO2 per year for each supermarket, resulting in energy savings of around 70 % or 305 kWh/m2. The required investments would have a payback period of 4 years.

Smart life and sustainable development: a comparative analysis on energy and water efficiency in China and the EU

Smart life relies on huge volumes of data analysis, which makes data centers become important infrastructure in smart city areas. Nowadays, data centers are constructed in many countries and have become increasingly large electricity consumers. The consumption of electricity is caused not only by the servers of data centers but also by the cooling systems. Meanwhile, data centers also demand water - cooling methods, which result in water consumption. As for sustainable development, water and energy consumption are huge challenges. Laws and rules are necessary for utilizing efficiently relevant sources. This paper will analyze China and the European Union (EU) as two examples of jurisdictions to compare how the governments regulate the construction of data centers to implement the thrift of electricity and water. In China, provinces and cities established diverse regulations based on their different natural and climate conditions, thus there is not a uniform model for the implementation in the country. In the EU, the amendment of Energy Efficiency Directive seeks to establish common policies. The difference of rules in these two jurisdictions reflects that China and the EU have their own principles and objectives: China attempts to balance the demand of developing smart city infrastructures and the consumption on natural resources, but the EU has strong ambition on low carbon emission in the whole Union. However, the two jurisdictions still have a common goal to maximize the efficiency of water and electricity consumption which is a fundamental issue for accelerating the transition towards sustainability.

Estimate of return on investment in solar energy in schools in Sergipe

With the growing demand for energy and the environmental challenges associated with the use of fossil fuels and electrical energy in the world, the need to seek energy efficiency to reduce consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is highlighted. In addition, it has reinforced the search for renewable energy sources, emphasizing solar energy, as a sustainable alternative to meet energy demand, especially in Brazil, due to its potential for solar radiation. Public buildings, in particular schools, are identified as significant consumers of electricity, and it is pointed out that the high consumption is not only due to excessive use by consumers, but also to the intensive use of artificial lighting and conditioners of air. As it is an extensive country with high solar irradiation, there is, so, an alternative to reduce environmental impacts. The study area involved 310 schools in Sergipe, and the consumption of electricity was obtained from the website of the Sergipe Department of Education. To simulate the deployment of solar panels, the NEOSOLAR online calculator was used along with the energy tariff, providing information on average investment, and estimated monthly savings. The payback period was calculated using the Simple Payback Method for each school individually. The payback period for all schools was less than 10 years. Thus, it is concluded that the use of solar energy in these establishments proved to be an economically, socially, and environmentally viable practice.

Analysis of patterns of electricity consumption in mining and processing enterprises

Mining and processing enterprises are large consumers of electricity, with a large share of energy costs in the cost of production. Thus, the price of electricity in the cost of production takes higher values for Hydrometallurgical Plant 1. In this regard, the development of energy consumption models that can be used as a basis for managing the energy consumption process is an important component of learning. It is important to analyze the energy consumption to estimate the electricity consumption under different operating conditions of the mining industry. In order to study and plan electricity consumption and develop methods for regulating electricity consumption, it is necessary to determine the place of each technological stage in the energy consumption balance [1]. This article examines the laws of electricity consumption in mining and processing enterprises. The study of such laws helps to determine the level of energy consumption management for the mining and processing plant.

THE RELIABILITY ASSESSMENT OF POWER TRANSFORMERS

This research investigated the assessment of power transformer reliability with emphasis on the transmission network within Rivers State in Nigeria, focusing on the perspectives of electricity consumers, organizational personnel, and business operators using descriptive survey. The study encompassed the entire population of 725,372 electricity consumers in the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PEDC) in Rivers State, which included both households and business owners. To select a representative sample, the Convenience Sampling Technique was employed, resulting in the inclusion of 390 electricity consumers in Rivers State. Data collection utilized the Consumers Perception of Electricity Power Transformer Reliability (COPEPT) questionnaire and Structured Interview, with the instrument's reliability established through the test-retest technique, yielding a reliability coefficient for each investigation. Research questions were addressed through the weighted mean score (WMS) analysis. Key findings indicated dissatisfaction among electricity consumers in Rivers State, primarily attributed to factors such as transformer age, overall condition, uncontrolled overloading, adverse weather conditions, and inadequate transformer capacity to meet increasing demand. Addressing these issues, different approaches including upgrading or replacing outdated transformers, implementing limits on transformer loading, introducing robust earthing systems, and increasing transformer capacity, were recommended to enhance consumer satisfaction and overall reliability. The study further revealed that persistent power transformer failures resulted in power outages, adversely impacting businesses, households, communication, and contributing to reduced production and national income. Based on these findings, recommendations in the form of strategies were provided, emphasizing a comprehensive analysis of power surge control during adverse weather conditions, a plan for upgrading or replacing outdated transformers, an assessment of power transformer capacity needs, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to develop strategies mitigating the negative economic impact and enhancing communication with consumers.
 Keywords: Reliability Assessment, Power Transformers, Rivers State and Transmission Network.

Bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst based on Fe, Co, and nitrogen co-doped graphene-coated alumina nanofibers for Zn-air battery air electrode

Aqueous rechargeable zinc-air battery (RZAB) is an emerging environmentally friendly energy storage device for a wide variety of industrial applications such as electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and stationary power plants. For successful commercialization of RZABs, a cost-effective bifunctional catalyst is highly required to catalyze the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the air electrode. Dual transition-metal and nitrogen-doped nanocarbon materials have shown good potential as an affordable and scalable bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts alternative to Pt-group metal-based catalysts for RZAB. To achieve this goal, we have developed electrocatalysts based on Fe, Co, and nitrogen co-doped graphene-augmented inorganic alumina nanofibers (Fe/Co-NGr). The Fe/Co-NGr catalysts demonstrate high oxygen reduction and evolution reaction reversibility (ΔE) of 0.85–0.88 V due to the graphene-covered nanofibrous structure doped with FeCo alloy nanoparticles and containing nitrogen, transition metal (TM) coordinated to nitrogen and TM oxide active sites. The primary zinc-air battery with Fe/Co-NGr air electrode exhibits a high maximum power density of 149 mW cm−2 and a specific capacity of 807 mAh gZn-1. The RZAB assessment has shown a low charge–discharge voltage gap of 0.86 V and high energy utilization efficiency of 58 % up to 90 h of charge–discharge cycling at 5 mA cm−2.