Abstract
Electrical energy supply from generation sites to ultimate consumers is achieved via the transmission, sub-transmission and distribution segments of the overall power system. Such energy transfer is accompanied by network-dependent power losses which have the effect of increasing the peak load on the system. It is observed that electrical energy is continuously lost due to resistance in power system networks, and distribution system loss accounts far more compared to transmission system. A distribution system connects consumers to the high-voltage transmission system. Because of lower voltage, and hence higher current, the I2R loss in a distribution system is significantly high compared to that in a high-voltage transmission system. The pressure of improving the overall efficiency of power delivery has forced the power utilities to reduce the loss, especially at the distribution level. Moreover, distribution systems are well known for a higher R/X ratio compared to transmission systems and significant voltage drops can result in substantial power and energy losses along distribution feeders. As a result, loss reduction in distribution systems is one of the greatest challenges to many utilities around the world. Power flows across the network generate losses, and an efficient network aims to minimize these losses.