Electrical Network Mapping and Consumer Indexing using GIS

by
S P S Raghav Jayant K Sinha
Chairman and Managing Director Dy General Manager (IT)
UPCL, Dehradun UPCL, Dehradun

Abstract
Since independence, we have increased our installed power capacity from 1362 MW to
about 110,000 MW and electrified more than 500,000 villages. However, it is a matter of
concern that the annual per capita consumption, at about 350 kWh is among the lowest in
the world and there are widespread shortages of power in almost all parts of the country.
A large number of villages have no access to electricity at all. Households, farmers,
commercial establishments and industries are confronted with frequent power cuts, both
scheduled and unscheduled. Power cuts, erratic voltage levels and wide fluctuations in
the frequency are common. Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses, excluding theft,
are as high as 27.8%. In fact, electricity theft alone causes state utilities to lose over Rs
20,000 crores annually. To make matter worse only 55% of energy generated is billed
and a much lesser 41% is realized in revenues.
The present paper analyzes the present power scenario and the role of GIS in
spearheading the Distribution reforms processes to improve the power industry’s
viability. To achieve this, IT can play an important role with the use of modern tools and
technology. In fact, given the geographical spread and diversity of power distribution
system, GIS has the potential to revolutionize the reform process in areas like consumer
indexing, distribution network mapping, asset and work management, enhancing billing
and collection efficiency and managing consumer relationships. Therefore, GIS is a
valuable tool for improved decision-making through efficient MIS.

THE PRESENT POWER SCENARIO

The total energy shortage today is roughly 8 per cent of the total demand and the peak
shortage is roughly 13 per cent of peak demand. Based on the demand projections made
in a Power Survey by the Ministry of Power, over 100,000 MW additional generation
capacity needs to be added by 2012 to bridge the gap between demand and supply. The
major reasons for inadequate, erratic and unreliable power supply are:
1. Inadequate power generation capacity
2. Lack of optimum utilization of the existing generation capacity
3. Inadequate inter-regional transmission links
4. Inadequate and ageing sub-transmission & distribution network
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5. Large scale theft and skewed tariff structure
6. Slow pace of power reforms
7. Inefficient use of electricity by the end consumer
As per the report of Ministry of Power, a capacity addition target of 46,500 MW has been
fixed for Central Public Sector Undertakings. At the State level, the SEBs/ State utilities
and private sector will add another 41,800 MW. An integrated approach, including
capacity addition through nuclear and non-conventional energy also has been planned in
which 6400 MW would be added through nuclear power and 10,700 MW through
nonconventional
resources up to 2012.

ROLE OF GIS IN DISTRIBUTION REFORMS

Distribution is the weakest link in the chain of power supply. Distribution has been
identified as the key focus area in power sector reforms. T&D losses are in the range of
40-45% and GIS can help reduce losses and improve energy efficiency through its
contribution in the following areas of Distribution reforms:
1. 100% consumer metering and AMR: Installation of meters at all the
transformation stages and in the premises of consumers, with the provision for
accurate meter reading
2. Feeder & DT metering: Installation of static (electronic) meters on all 11 KV outgoing
feeders and DTs
3. Effective MIS: Both feeder and DT static meters record active energy, power
factor and load information which can be downloaded to a computer network to
build effective MIS for quick decision-making and improved distribution system
4. Total energy accounting: Energy received in each 11 kV sub-station and 11 kV
out-going feeders, energy billed and T&D losses at each feeder and DT shall be
properly accounted for.
5. Installation of capacitor banks & network reconfiguration: Installation of
capacitors at all levels, reconfiguration of feeder lines & DTs in a way as to
reduce the length of LT lines thereby reducing ATC losses
6. High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS): Installation of small energy efficient
DTs supplying power to 10 to 15 households only, re-conductoring of overloaded
sections, digital mapping of the entire distribution system and load flow studies to
strengthen the distribution system.
GIS can help in achieving the above reforms objectives through various applications:
1. Creation of consumer database and consumer indexing: Indexing of all the
consumers in all categories so that the consumers can be segregated feeder-wise
and DT-wise is necessary. The consumers are mapped using GIS technology and
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identified based on their unique electrical address, called Consumer Index
Number (CIN).
2. Mapping of Sub-transmission and Electrical Distribution Network: It is equally
important to have all the 33 KV substations, 11 KV feeders, DTs and LT feeders
digitally mapped and geo-referenced.
3. Load Flow Studies: Having done so, load and consumer profile can be studied and
inferences drawn for rectifying imbalances in the network, load analysis in varius
network segments and load rearrangement.
4. Load Forecasting: GIS becomes an effective tool in optimal design and choice of
substation location, demand-side management, future load assessment and load
planning.
5. Management Information System (MIS): Based on inputs from GIS, which is
regularly updated and monitored, a robust MIS can be built for analyzing and
reducing ATC losses, improved revenue billing and collection and load demand/
supply analysis.

GIS APPLICATION IN MAPPING OF NETWORK AND CONSUMERS

GIS technology can be effectively used for correct marking of the jurisdiction
various Distribution Circles on Geographical Area Map. GIS mapping of Subtransmission
and Distribution network from 33 kV substations down to LT
feeders becomes handy in proper identification, locating and documenting of
electrical network assets. All the existing connections and consumer details can be
graphically displayed on the GIS map linked to the database. The mapping of
electrical network on GIS base maps and linking with the indexed consumer
database is a multi-step process:
1. Develop Database of Electrical Network from 33 kV to LT System with
related parameters of Lines, Substations and Distribution Transformers
2. Develop Consumer Database based on the Physical, Electrical and
Commercial parameters of the consumers and linking them on GIS map
3. Segregation of Consumers - 11 kV Feeder-wise and Distribution
Transformer-wise - to evaluate energy supplied, billed and system losses
with rendering and visualization on GIS map
4. Superimposition of GIS-based Network and Consumer mapping database
on a scale of 1:4000 or better
5. Evaluation of feeder-wise and DT-wise Energy Losses, correlating with
load flow studies and their depiction on GIS map

Mapping and Indexing of Electrical Consumers

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The purpose of GIS Mapping and Indexing of the consumers is to identify and
locate all the consumers on geographical map, which are being fed from the
Distribution Mains. There may be cases where electric connection exists but it
does not exist in the utility's record. It may be a case of unauthorized connection
or non-legderized connection. On the other hand, there may be cases where a
connection exists in the utility's record, but it may not exist physically at site.
Following reasons could be attributed for such anomalies:
1. The connection might have been disconnected long back but the record
may not have been updated.
2. It may be a case where the address and other details of the consumers are
not correctly recorded.
Using GIS, the LT lines coming out from Distribution Transformer and all service
connections from the LT mains can be checked with reference to the consumers
connected and accordingly the consumer database can be updated.
Mapping and documentation of Electric Network
The complete electrical network and network route are digitized and mapped on a
suitable scale over the base map, using suitable GIS software, so that the changes
in the network can be timely and correctly updated on a periodic basis. Through
software application, queries can be generated to find out the network details like
the make and specifications of network elements, the length of feeders and LT
conductors, number of transformers and breakers on any section of the network.
The network database should have the important details of 33 KV substations, 11
KV feeders, Distribution Transformers and LT lines.

Feeder-wise and Distribution Transformer-wise consumer segregation

To identify the areas of high losses, it is essential to segregate the energy input
and consumption Distribution Transformer-wise and 11 KV feeder-wise. The
losses are assessed by subtracting the total energy utilization of the consumers
from the energy supplied to the respective Distribution Transformer and 11 KV
Feeder. Using GPS-based survey of 11 KV feeders, DTs and LT poles, the
connected consumers can be identified on the GIS map and segregated
Distribution Transformer-wise and 11 KV feeder-wise.

Load Flow Study and Load Management

The purpose of load flow study is to eliminate overloading of the network,
minimize technical losses, overcome low voltage problems and avoid unbalanced
loading of Distribution Transformer and LT network in order to achieve optimum
utilization of Transformer and network capacity. GIS data of electrical network
and consumers can help in the following exercises required for Load Flow Study:
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1. Evaluate 33 KV, 11 KV and LT feeder-wise technical losses
2. Identify the network section overloaded or having high technical losses
3. Identify the area of unbalanced loading of Distribution Transformer and
LT Network and take corrective action to minimize technical loss and
achieve optimum utilization of transformer's capacity
4. Work out voltage regulation of the network and identify the areas having
high voltage drops and suffering with low voltage problem.
Based on the above information, alternate arrangement of supply to
important areas can be made in case of outage of part of existing feeding
network. Also, augmentation of the network can be effectively planned to
cater for the increase in projected load.

THE ROORKEE EXAMPLE

In the Roorkee circle of Uttaranchal Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL), with a consumer
base of 1.2 lacs, GIS technology has been effectively used for the following activities:
1. Meter Installation Survey: This was done to find out the condition of the metering
equipment at the consumer’s premises and also update the correct consumer
details in the database using GIS tools.
2. Network Mapping: The location coordinates (Latitude-Longitude) of every
consumer and electrical network element, from 33 KV sub-station through 11 KV
feeder down to DT and the nearest LT service pole has been plotted on GIS map,
with the following features:
a. All the network elements are identified and a database developed to record
all the technical attributes of the network element.
b. All the network assets have a unique identification number. The network
database has a linkage with consumer database.
c. The network database is having a GUI interface where all the child
components are shown as subset of the parent. When a parent is selected
the entire child components can be seen in the left pane. The graphical
symbol of the parent component is shown as expandable.
d. In case of network reconfiguration where some components are
electrically connected to a new parent component, then all such child
components can be selected in the left pane can be dragged and dropped to
be new parent component. The database gets immediately modified to
show new electrical connectivity.
e. The entire electrical network has been mapped on a scale of 1:4000. When
the DT is selected on GIS map, then all the LT lines connected to that DT
and corresponding LT lines are shown.
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3. Consumer Indexing: A unique Consumer Index Number (CIN) has been provided
to all types of consumers and the consumer/ network database has been developed
for correlating each consumer to the corresponding electrical attributes, using GIS
tools to query and retrieve information. The methodology adopted for the exercise
has been enumerated below:
a. A detailed door-to-door consumer survey was carried out for the creation
of consumer database linked to DT (for LT customers) and linked to
feeder for HT consumers
b. All consumers were allotted a unique Consumer Identification Number
(CIN) based on the electrical address of consumers.
c. The information of the consumer’s network connectivity has been
maintained in the database.
d. The consumer database has been linked to the network database for the
purpose of defining the consumer's electrical connectivity.
4. Distribution Network Modeling: The electrical assets like Sub-stations, 11 KV
feeders, DTs, Poles and LT feeders have also been uniquely codified and modeled
with the help of GIS and GPS technologies.
5. Load Flow Analysis: This is being done with the help of electrical database
imported from GIS map. It plays a key role in determining technical loss,
planning and optimization of distribution system.

CONCLUSION
GIS can effectively manage information on the distribution of electricity to consumers
and information describing the attributes of each consumer such as location and
consumption pattern. Improving the performance of distribution systems to meet the
required target is a matter of selecting the most cost-effective and appropriate technology
with right operating practices. The distribution systems tend to be very extensive with a
long life span for conductors and installations.
It is not sufficient to analyze how a particular portion of the network may be modified to
improve its performance today, rather in determining the optimal solution based on future
demand scenario. GIS technology helps in fast, accurate and reliable data management.
Since the sub-transmission and the distribution network of a power utility have a
geographical reference, it is beneficial to create the network on GIS map and constantly
update the same as per field parameters. With periodic updating and monitoring, GIS
mapping of the Electrical Network and Consumer database helps in improved load
management, loss reduction, better revenue realization, asset and work management and
possibly better consumer relationship.