A cost-effective analysis of the power-loss reduction methods in an actual distribution network

The paper reports on a study in which the power loss, energy loss, and loss factor were measured in an actual distribution network in Iran (Qazvin Power Distribution Company) by using an innovative method of load estimation before evaluating five ways of approaching the problem from the point of view of operating costs. The objective function was to minimize the costs. adjusting the load imbalance, optimall placing capacitors, and removing inappropriate transformers, dilapidated conductors, and weak connections. Another consideration was to maximize the financial gain from the power-loss reduction. The results showed that the method proposed for the estimating load was appropriate because the general pattern of the load curve was similar to the pattern obtained from the actual measurements. Another finding was that adding capacitors and adjusting the load imbalance turned out to be the most efficient and cost-effective ways of reducing the loss concerning the facilities available in the network under study. This work was fully funded by the Qazvin Electrical Distribution Utility under contract number 420.