LOW COST TECHNIQUES IN RURAL TUNISIA

AEI Practitioner Workshop Dakar 2011

Presented by

Moncef AISSA
Senior Electrical Engineer Private Consultant-Tunisia Nov 14, 2011

Situation before RE program -1975

Rural electrification rate: 6% Overall electrification rate 35% MV grid length : 4000 km 3-phase 30 kV Rural population: 53%

The Government decided to develop RE INSTITUTIONAL APPROACH

Ministry of Economic Development - Policy-planning-funding of regional integrated development STEG (Public Utility) - appointed as Operator

STEG:

STRATEGIC CHOICE
GRID LEVEL SAVINGS

Rural area indicators: low income, demand, density, high cost STEG undertook tech-econ study / comparison Main findings

MV network MV/LV substations LV network Overall

30 to 40 % 15 to 20 % 5 to 10 % 18 to 24 %

ADOPTION of MALT technique in January 1976 from existent 30 kV voltage level

MALT CONFIGURATION
1-ph. MV/LV transformer HV/MV Substation inverse time protection
H Type Fused cutout

protection selectivity
T Type Fused cutout

MV 4-Wire line

Earthing coil Z

Grounded neutral

1-phase MV line

LV 1-ph lines

Characteristics of MALT system 148.1 mm AAAC for 3-+N main lines (12 to 16.8 MW) 54.6 mm AAAC for rural 1-+N branch lines (2.6 MW)
Inverse time protection- Selectivity of protection Neutral conductor earthing every 300m 17.3 kV phase to neutral voltage
Lightning arrester

Fused cutout

Recent cost cuttings estimate (2001)

27% cost-cutting with suspension insulators 37% cost-cutting with pin insulator

Distribution of cost reductions in %

Main savings come from Conductors 7% Line accessories: 13% Poles: 7%(suspension insulators) / 17% (Pin Insulators) Single phase transformer: 44% for 25 kVA

Further cost reductions

1.

SWER technique

26-30% additional cost reduction compared to single-phase technique 1200km SWER lines- 425 villages No need for isolating transformer installation
2.

4,16 kV single phase

Additional Cost reduction

7-14% if houses are fairly dispersed 31-33 % if houses are widely dispersed

Non technical approach: Continuous efforts to optimize costs

1. Early computerization 2. Training 3. Demand Forecasting Network Planning 4. Inventory Management system- Huge quantity purchase (equipment) 5. Private enterprise: construction (Competition) 6. Private industry: grid equipment supply
(Competition)

7. Technical and non technical losses management 8. Operational rules and guidelines 9. Maintenance planning 10. Hot line Works 11. Customer Management

Funding
Households STEG Government through loans

Affordability
Easy terms for STEG consumers Agriculture Bank- Loans to farmers

Sustainability: thru TARIFF STRUCTURE

Lifeline tariff < 50 kWh/month (= 600 kWh / year / Customer) Special tariffs for Rural development
irrigation, olive oil plant, milling/grinding

Socio-Economic Impact
Education, health, security, economic opportunity

Advantages of Single Phase Technology

Cheaper than 3phase Suited to rural area characteristics Easy construction Easy operating Reliable and secure Numerous opportunities to coordinate between protection devices Good quality service Upgradeability to duplex and triplex Possibility to use 3phase converter or 1phase motor High permissible load flow (up to 2.6 MW) SWER extensions without isolating transformers

Disadvantages of Single Phase Technique

Adaptation of existing conventional 3-phase network to MALT technique

power cuts (adding of neutral conductor) fixing neutral on every pole keeping requested conductor clearance for every span Changing protection system

Extension upfront cost (4-wire

backbone lines +9%) High losses level if high load flow

2004- RE rates (after about 30 years of RE)

-- OVERAL Electrification Rate -- National Rural ER 97% -- Minimum REGIONAL Rural ER 96.6% 98.9%
NORTH WEST 96,6% BIZERTE GRAND TUNIS 97,5% NORTH EAST 97% HAMMAMET

SOUSSE CENTER WEST 96,8% CENTER EAST 97,9%

% of single-phase lines and substations

53% of overhead lines are single phase type 72% of public MV/LV substations are single phase type
SOUTH WEST 96,3%

SFAX GAFSA GABES

KEBILLI

TATAOUINE

SOUTH EAST 96,8%

What To Do Differently

More SWER lines / more 4.16 kV single phase lines Use more pin insulators Fix neutral conductor at top of pole on main lines

Conclusion
After 35 years using single phase technique STEG still believe they made a good technical choice This choice was made early enough to allow maximum savings from using MALT technique

Some Recommendations
Start Single Phase Technique as soon as possible Adapt existent network to MALT system Fix neutral conductor at top of poles to prevent cable theft Change protection system to Inverse time type Use single phase lines for expandable network Use SWER or 4 kV single phase technique for remote areas Use small single phase transformers (1; 3; 5; 10; 15; 25; 50 kVA) Use conductors with small cross-section Use ACSR conductors if terrain permits long spans Use pin insulator if possible

stork

nest