Improving energy revenue and security by employing SDNS for the Low Voltage distribution network for residential users in South Africa

Abstract

Energy management is a key element in energy distribution utilities. Whilst revenue collection is significant in the industry, safety and energy security are of top priority. With the diffusion and the adoption rate of new domestic electrical appliances and the rate of population growth, the energy demand by residential consumers skyrockets. To keep the electrical network continually distributing, there is a need to control and manage energy usage from the consumption side. This paper proposes a Smart Distribution Network System (SDNS), which employs the Master-Slave metering hierarchy for load management by controlling the usage limits in real-time. The SDNS is a digitalized electrical network concept that allows the existing power network to operate at an optimum level during peak periods and limits unnecessary consumption excesses. The system ensures maximum revenue returns to utilities and energy security to consumers by keeping the network in operation with no disturbances. A standard traditional grid was used to model the smart system using a MATLAB tool. The grid was put under test in heavy load conditions, first with no enhancement and again with the enhancement of the proposed SNDS system. Results were recorded for both simulation tests, then the conclusion was drawn from the discussion of results compared to examining the effectiveness of the system.