VOLTAGE QUALITY MANAGEMENT USING MINIMAL NUMBER OF TRANSFORMERS IN CUET DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

Abstract

Voltage quality management is one of the crucial aspects of power system operation and management. The voltage profile improvement is a pivotal parts of quality management of distribution system which is affected by various factors, including load power factor, the transformer kVA rating and placement etc. The voltage levels at the load end may fall below acceptable limits, causing operational issues and potential damage to connected equipment. Traditional approaches to voltage quality management involve the use of multiple transformers strategically placed throughout the distribution network to regulate voltage levels and mitigate power quality disturbances. However, the installation, operation and maintenance costs associated with a large number of transformers can be significant. The objective is to optimize the placement and operation of transformers to effectively regulate voltage levels while minimizing the overall system loss and operational costs. Here, several cases with particular scenarios are considered to achieve the objective without sacrificing the voltage profile. But to supply proper current to the load, some assumptions has needed to consider including total load demand, low voltage cable model modification and load power factor variation. The study proposes an approach that aims to achieve voltage profile improvement using a minimal number of transformers in CUET distribution network. The approach allows for flexibility in adapting to changing load conditions and network configurations in the near future. An optimized proposed model has been developed with at least 25 three-phase transformers of different rating needs to supply power instead of existing 52 number of three phase-transformer bank. Also, the voltage profile has improved and the system loss has reduced by 56.8%. By doing a tentative cost analysis, almost 48%-50% cost has been reduced for the proposed model. Moreover, some scenarios have been simulated to show the sustainability of proposed model with horizontal load extension in the future. By minimizing the number of transformers and total system loss, power system operators can optimize the use of resources while ensuring reliable and highquality power supply to consumers. The study highlights the importance of considering both technical and economic factors in voltage quality management strategies.