The effect of using automatic meter reading system in electricity distribution systems on reducing non-technical losses: The case of Bitlis province in Turkey

Energy losses, both technical and non-technical, are incurred during the transfer of electrical energy from the power plant to the customer. Technical energy losses are evident since they result from the properties of materials. Detecting non-technical energy losses is challenging due to their origin in usage. Some of the non-technical energy losses are caused by meter readings. Electricity meters, which are used to record the electrical energy consumed in electricity distribution networks, are spread over a wide area. Hence, it is unfeasible to gather the data obtained from electricity meters without any errors. Furthermore, the absence of electrical energy monitoring is a significant issue. The automatic meter reading system (AMRS) provides a cost-effective solution to these issues. This study examines the structure, benefits, and implementation challenges of an autonomous meter reading system. This study examines the impact of utilizing power line communication (PLC) meters in the automatic meter reading system application on reducing non-technical energy losses in electricity distribution networks. This study employed energy usage data from Bitlis province. The annual loss and leakage rates presume that the proportion of technical energy losses remains constant compared to the previous year. The examination revealed that the loss and leakage rate was 36.28 % in 2019, 35.10 % in 2020, 29.82 % in 2021, and 25.32 % in 2022. Between 2019 and 2022, the decline in loss and leakage rates is attributed to a reduction in non-technical energy losses. The automatic meter reading system is determined to have a substantial impact on reducing non-technical energy losses in electricity distribution networks. Since the energy needs of countries are increasing day by day, it requires more efficient use of energy. It will lead to more efficient use of energy by reducing non-technical energy losses. In the study, the contribution of automatic meter reading systems to reducing non-technical energy losses is emphasized. The study is valuable as it sets an example for future studies.