GISdevelopment.net ---> GITA 2003 ---> Global Solutions

Impact of GIS in Network Analysis and Optimization for Power Distribution – A Case Study of Noida Power Company Limited(NPCL), India

Manish Arora
Manish Arora
Project Leader InfoTech Enterprises Limited

Pelleti Madhusudhan
Pelleti Madhusudhan
Team Leader InfoTech Enterprises Limited

Dr. Nagesh Rajopadhye
InfoTech Enterprises Limited
Plot 11, Infocity, Madhapur, Hyderabad 500033, India


Abstract
This paper presents a case study of a power distribution company in India namely, Noida Power Corporation Ltd (NPCL), where InfoTech Enterprises Ltd had the opportunity to formulate an end-to-end GIS solution for analyzing and optimizing the power distribution network. InfoTech Enterprises got involved with this project right from conceptualization phase and completed the same by integrating with other OSS systems like SCADA, billing systems etc. The scope of the GIS implementation included the creation of land base data, network mapping over the land base, data modeling, installation of GE Smallworld software as a core GIS, installation of PowerON and Design Manager as add-on modules to the GIS, installation of PSS network analysis Engines supplied by Power Technology Inc. for the network analysis, customization of various applications on top of GE Smallworld and finally, the integration of the GIS system with other operational support systems (OSS). The add-ons specifically developed for the Indian conditions are of significant value to other companies in this region. This successful implementation of an integrated GIS solution for a power distribution utility in India has set an example for other similar units in India and Asia to take advantage of this technology.

Introduction
Concern regarding network losses and a desire for optimization has engendered much interest in monitoring and predicting network losses for large, geographically spread networks. GIS-based solutions are becoming increasingly popular for modelling, simulating and analyzing power distribution networks. This paper presents a case study of the Noida Power Corporation Ltd (NPCL), where InfoTech Enterprises Ltd had the opportunity to formulate an end-to-end GIS solution for analyzing and optimizing the power distribution network Apart from developing typical facility management applications, an innovative application to detect power pilferage via GIS was also developed and deployed to detect network as well as commercial losses (power thefts), a common problem in India and some Asian countries. The implementation of the GIS at NPCL provided substantial business benefits to NPCL. This paper details the solution proposed and summarizes the benefits derived.

About NPCL
The RPG group in India was the first to respond to the privatization policy of the government, setting up the Noida Power Corporation Ltd (NPCL) at Noida, in collaboration with a state government agency. NPCL supplies power to more than 17,000 subscribers spread over 300 sq km in greater Noida, which is one of the fastest growing industrial districts in the region. It is also planning to increase its distribution network to adjoining areas in the years to come. NPCL buys power directly from Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL), the distribution arm of the erstwhile Uttar Pradesh State Electricity Board. UPPCL transmits power to the 132/33 kV Surajpur substation, from where NPCL evacuates power at 33kV voltage level. Power distribution in India is largely monopolized by the public sector. Noida Power Company Ltd. in the national Capital Region is one of the few private sector power distribution companies in to this area.

why They Decided on GIS
NPCL was looking for a sophisticated tool to address their day-to-day operational problems as well as to handle planning issues. In the absence of sophisticated tools, these problems and issues were mostly resolved through human intervention. However this was leading to service delays and reduced productivity. For instance, whenever a new consumer applied for a connection, they had to go through number of network diagrams, data, etc. to decide whether service could be provided to the customer. If service could be provided, a team of engineers then had to visit the site to estimate the installation charges to be paid by the customer. Being a technology-oriented company, Noida wanted a computer-based solution for all of these processes. Since most of the problems were related to network inventory and network performance, the use of a GIS-based solution was imperative. Infotech suggested the deployment of a GIS solution for the following business processes:
  • Management of the Network inventory
  • Network design, optimization and planning
  • Network Outage management
  • Design based workflow
  • Customer care related activities
  • Conducting Energy Audits
The Solution
InfoTech carried out following activities as part of this project:
  • Study of the requirements of Noida Power Corporation Ltd. (NPCL)
  • Roll out plan for building up the GIS - Spatial database
  • Data modeling of the power distribution network
  • Supply of the GE-Smallworld Core, GE-Smallworld Power ON and PTI software.
  • Development of custom applications for improving operational efficiency and optimizing the network.
  • Integration of the landbase and network data over the GIS software.
  • Integration of the solution with other operational support systems.
  • Training of NPCL staff for the operationalisation of the system.
  • Complete assistance to NPCL in technical rollout and operationalisation.
The essential components of the software solution provided to NPCL include:

S. No. Application Name of the software Product
1 Operating System Small Business Server
1 GIS Smallworld Core
2 Network Analysis PTI Engines with Smallworld PTI Interface
3 Outage Management/Trouble Call Analysis PowerOn
4 Job Planning and Design Design Manager
5 Internet Application SIAS
6 RDBMS Oracle
7 ERP Oracle Applications
8 Billing Database FoxPro
9 Customization programming language Magik/C++/VB
10 Interface SCADA
11 Source Database for migration (customer information) Visual FoxPro


Solution Architecture
Figure 1 shows the schematic of the GIS based solution deployed at NPCL


Figure 1 : Architectural Overview of a GIS based solution provided to NPCL

Potential Applicaitons
The integrated solution provided to NPCL consisted of following functionalities:
  1. Load Flow Analysis: This module gives real time load flow analysis by reading the data from the SCADA system for balanced radial, unbalanced radial and balanced weakly meshed networks.
  2. Short Circuit Studies: This module enables short circuit analysis for single phase-to-ground, two phase-to-ground, three phase-to-ground and phase-to-phase fault with/without impedance by reading the data from SCADA system.
  3. Single line diagrams (SLDs): Creation of SLDs out of selected portions of the network, and plotting of power flows, losses, bus voltages, and attribute data on the single line diagram.
  4. Optimal Location and Capacity of Shunt/Series Capacitors: the Capacitor Placement Optimization (CAPO) Engine finds the best locations in an electrical network to place both fixed capacitors and switched capacitors.
  5. Optimal Number and Location of Voltage Regulators: The Voltage Regulator Placement Optimization (VRPO) Engine finds the best locations in an electric network to place voltage regulators.
  6. Optimal Size and Location of Distribution Substation: This module is used to calculate the capacity of a distribution transformer and its geographical location on the basis of Load flow analysis, Density of load and demographic features.
  7. Network Reconfiguration: Formation of new links to arrive at the minimum tree configuration and the introduction of interlinking for load sharing.
  8. Computation of losses in feeders: Losses on branches, feeders and system are extracted from the Base Engine load flow calculations.
  9. Power Loss Analysis: Provides detailed real and reactive power loss, KW and KVAR losses on branches, feeders and system.
  10. Load forecasting: Time series-based and land use-based.
  11. Transformer Loading Analysis: Determines, on the basis of minimumloss criterion, the tap-changing position of transformers so that voltages between specified upper and lower levels. Provides functionality for voltage trimming.
  12. Analysis of mechanical design of overhead circuits: Considers conductor size and span, strength of support, sag, temperature and wind pressure.
  13. Facilities Maintenance Management: Keeps track of the condition and location of all components of the system, providing for a database of maintenance schedules, modification of maintenance schedules, query on historical data, and query on status maintenance work.
  14. Facilities Outage Management: Analysis of the number and type of outages and analysis of amount spent on servicing outages.
  15. Job Planning / Design: Preparation of construction work sketch: estimation of cost to erect lines, bay expansion in substations, service connection, line re-conductoring, etc; estimation of project cost, financial analysis of project cost considering Return on Investment, Payback Period for Investment, Cost Benefit Ratio, NPV and IRR; work order processing; MIS on status of construction jobs/projects.
  16. Trouble Call Management: For processing and analyzing trouble calls, outage analysis, maintenance of trouble call database, dispatching of field crew, rerouting of services to manage the outage, switching operations during feeder restoration, and deriving and maintaining reliability indices.
Business Benefits - Tangible and Intangible
The implementation of the GIS system at NPCL provided substantial business benefits during the very first year of operation. Customized applications helped optimize the network by reducing losses and boosting voltages at tail ends. The Design Manager-based application was instrumental in designing / optimizing network expansions on top of the map. The Outage management system developed on top of the GIS reduced customer down time and the frequency of outages, helped increase the quality of the power supply resulting in greater customer satisfaction. The integration of the above system with other OSS like ERP, billing system, etc. enabled the enterprise data to flow in and out, providing substantial value-added to other IT components. Web enabling of the network data and some of the key applications facilitated network-based decision-making, making it faster and more effective.

It is expected that the power pilferage will be reduced by at least 20 percent with the help of this application. Some other tangible benefits that NPCL derived from the Implementation of the GIS-based solution include:
  1. Network inventory management at a click of a button.
  2. Operational people in a better position to maintain and manage planned and unplanned outages. The average time of outages has been reduced by about 30 percent during the very first year.
  3. Real-time access to network and landbase data raised the overall effectiveness of the decisions made by various user groups
  4. Information exchange with government agencies and other bodies now takes place much more quickly.
  5. Better risk management and optimum network planning.
  6. Efficient network maintenance through the automatic generation of maintenance schedules.
  7. Considerable improvement in productivity due to the automation of routine and repetitive tasks. This leaves more time for staff to focus on core business activities.
  8. Substantial reduction in customer response time for activities like service provisioning, estimation of payable charges, etc., thereby enhancing customer satisfaction.
  9. More effective spatial analysis of Energy Audit and quicker identification of the location of a transformer having undesired sales gaps.
Intangible or indirect benefits include:
  1. Less rework due to the availability of accurate information.
  2. More automation of business process and therefore greater productivity.
  3. More effective design process through various design options.
  4. Faster decision-making capabilities due to process availability of analytical tools.
  5. Better planning of optimal routes or rights-of-way for commodity utilities (e.g., electric transmission lines).
Conclusion
A case study of an end-to-end GIS solution Implemented by Infotech Enterprises Ltd at Noida Power Corporation Ltd has been presented. Landbase and power distribution network data was surveyed, digitized and was integrated with the solution. In addition to developing typical customized applications, innovative applications were also developed to monitor and control power pilferage using the GIS tool. The GIS, along with the network analysis package, was further integrated with OSS like ERP, billing system, etc. to facilitate the use of spatial analysis tools in various business processes.

The system was extremely useful to NPCL in atomizing and improving their various business processes. NPCL derived substantial tangible and intangible benefits through this project and it was of great satisfaction to InfoTech to be associated with such project. This successful implementation of an integrated GIS solution for a power distribution utility in India has set an example for other similar units in India and Asia to take advantage of this technology. The add-ons like power pilferage monitoring and controlling modules specifically developed for Indian conditions are of significant value to companies in this region.

© GISdevelopment.net. All rights reserved.