Use of computerized web-based information system for determining losses in traditional electrical network management; case study Goma distribution electrical network
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Date
2010
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Kampala International University(KIU)
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to implement an effective Computerized Web-Based Infonnation
System (CWIS) that help electrical network losses computation in order to monitor the perfomiance
of the electrical network over time, to guide managers in making decisions for corrective and
preventive maintenance in the existing electrical distribution network where technical and nontechnical
losses were not accurately known. The apparent power, real power, unbalanced power in
phases, power drawn by thefts, lower load of transfonners, bad calibrated meters, transformers
located out of load gravity center are highly influencing losses in the electrical distribution network.
The study particularly sought to compute losses in electrical distribution network where the use of
manual information system does not show the losses incurred at all the stages of the generation,
transmission and distribution in Goma elect1ical network system. The study was conceived due to
the fact that existing studies did not compute losses in all elements of an electtical distribution
network using a Computerized Web-Based Information System involving real data from metering
system. The study was conducted using quantitative design, data being collected from January to
~December 2008 by means of observation, document analysis, questiom1aires and interviews from 13
interviewees selected from the target population of 26 informants. The data were analyzed using
Descriptive Statistics method and empirical losses computation paradigm. The results from losses
computation using empirical paradigm and Descriptive Statistics method for analyzing data have
been presented in form of tables, bar and pie charts, and percentage. The study has established that
system loss (14%), 15kv- 6.6kv feeder losses (7%), and losses (3.7%) in fifty five transfonners were
higher than the standard one. Goma electrical distribution network perfonnance (86%) computed by
the CWIS was less than the assumed one (90%). The computed system lagging power factor (0.84)
was less than the standard one (90%).The study has established that the higher percentage of SNEL
Staff scored 70% expressing that they have prefotred the use of Compute1ized Web-Based
Infonnation System to compute losses. The study has concluded that the Compute1ized Web-BasedInfom1ation System should be used as electrical distribution network tool to compute losses over the
time in order to highlight the activities of corrective and preventive maintenance necessary to reduce
technical and non-technical losses. The study has recommended method and techniques to be used in
order to reduce losses in all elements of Goma electrical distribution network. Recommendations
were also made to enhance CWIS security. The study has recommended that the Computerized
Web-Based Infom1ation System should be integrated into the future SNEL Automatic Real Time
System (ARTS), Supervisor Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Consumer Information Service
(CISE), and Geographical Infonnation System (GIS).
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Keywords
Web Based Software, Uganda, Computerised System, Traditional Network Management