Investigation and mitigation of technical electric power losses within City Power distribution network : South African case study

Abstract: The national grid is found more constrained, influenced by the growth in population and electrical usage, in addition to South Africa’s electricity sole power supplier (Eskom’s) load shedding scenario due to generating constraints. As the distribution network change its normal business, energy efficiency is the dominating term and the reduction of technical losses is one of the sections that needs attention in the emerging economy of South Africa. This dissertation evaluates different loads (residential, commercial and industrial), utilizing calculations through load factor improvement and simulation (DIgSILENT) methodologies in order to develop accurate and authentic results. These results are further analysed to develop optimum solution, mainly around improving the load factor with battery energy storage by peak shaving. The dissertation focuses on improving technical losses due to circulating current (I2R), thereby improving the overall energy efficiency that can further boost the operational efficiency and planning equipment’s of the electrical network when a battery energy storage is involved.M.Tech. (Electrical Engineering