Evaluating Technical Losses Arising from Power Factor Fluctuations: A Case Study of the Nekpenekpen 33/11 kV Injection Substation

Abstract

In electrical power systems, losses which are due to inherent and external factors are always present. Because these losses lead to rise in operating cost of electric utilities and rise in high cost of energy on the side of consumers, its reduction is of great importance due to its social-economic and financial values both on the side of the customers, utility company and the country at large. This study investigates the effects of power factor variations on inherently caused losses, which is also known as technical loss.  The study involves analyzing the power loss parameters of a specific section in the Nekpenekpen 33/11 kV power distribution network, which is owned by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (B.E.D.C.). It examines how changes in power factor affect the overall losses experienced within the network.  This analysis is conducted by simulating the network using MATLAB/Simulink work tool. By employing variable loads, obtained results indicated that the connection of a load in a network can lead to a low power factor at a specific point. Additionally, the findings demonstrated that this low power factor at a particular point does not impact the magnitudes of power factor and load loss observed at other points within the network, leading to the recommendation for the implementation of a dynamic variable capacitor bank to enhance power factor at various levels of reactive load in a network.