2014 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COMPUTATION OF POWER, ENERGY, INFORMATION
Analysis on Power Distribution system in India­
Patna city- A case study
Anusha Pillay, Karthik Sharma, S,Prabhakar Karthikey an, Shriram S Rangarajan,
School of Electrical Engineering,
VIT University, Tamil Nadu.
Abstract- Distribution system is one of the major sectors of
the power system in a country. In this system, the maximum
amount of loss occurs on the distribution side
complete analysis of the amounts of losses that
component has in the distribution system has to be made.
Loss reduction initiatives in distribution systems have been
activated due to the increasing cost of supplying electricity,
the shortage in fuel with ever-increasing cost to produce
more power. In this paper, various ways to reduce the losses
have been shown for the BSP (H) CL (Bihar State Power
(Holding) Company Ltd.). The whole Patna
distribution system is modeled using ETAP software. The
model has been extended to implement the proposed work
and to examine their effects on loss reduction. Simulation
results have shown that the implementation of these projects
leads to a significant improvement in voltage profile, and
reduction in the active and the reactive power losses.
Keywords-Power Loss, Distribution system, Patna City, ETAP,
Loss reduction, technical loss
I. INTRODUCTION
In the present electrical scenario, every equipment or
appliances which are available till date are being
restructured. The industry is shifting from the use of
different kinds of energy to electrical energy which is
more reliable. The power demand is increasing at the rate
of 8.46% per annum. This calls for the need to restructure
electrical industry, basically to reduce losses in order to
increase the efficiency. The power system has three major
parts: Generation, Transmission and Distribution. Out of
the three, major losses take place in the distribution side.
Thus, it is very important that effective delivery of power
takes place.
After the deregulation of the electrical power industry,
the distribution business has remained as a regulated
monopoly. Because of the deregulation process,
distribution utilities are currently facing increased
pressures from shareholders and regulatory authorities to
improve investment and operational efficiency. The Bihar
State Electricity Board has been recently divided into 5
sub companies namely Bihar state power generation co.
limited (generation business), Bihar state power
transmission co. limited (transmission business), North
Bihar power distribution company limited and South
Bihar distribution co. limited (both in distribution
business) and Bihar state power holding company limited
to have a better hold at one of the major sectors of the
country. These have been divided according to the norms
formed by the Electricity Act 2003 amended in 2007
which asks for a regulatory commission to be formed in
978-1-4799-3826-l/14/$31.00©2014 IEEE
AND COMMUNICATION (lCCPEIC)
each state for the proper functioning of the power sector.
This is the authority which looks over all the grievances in
thus a the state regarding electricity charges and other sectors.
each
The delivery of power from sources to the consumer
points is always accompanied with power losses. Power
losses occur in distribution networks due to various
factors and in the electricity level between 33kV-llkV
around 13% of loss occurs. Such a non-negligible amount
of loss has a direct impact on the fmancial issues and the
city's overall efficiency of distribution utilities. Therefore,
methods for losses reductions that optimally allocate
scarce financial resources and maximize firm value are
essential for achieving the financial goals of distribution
companies.
These losses have a huge impact on the system as
almost 40% of the units are lost at the distribution side
thus the amount of electricity that has to be bought at the
generation side also increases many folds due to the
various losses which can be prevented and thus reduce the
monetary loss to the electricity board.
II. PATNA CITY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Patna is the capital of the Indian state of Bihar, and its
most populous city. Patna is one of the oldest
continuously inhabited places in the world. It has
thousands of km long distribution system. The whole of
Patna city has been divided into 7 large substations
namely Digha grid 1, Digha grid 2, Jakkanpur grid I,
Jakkanpur grid 2, Jakkanpur grid 3, Khagaul grid 1,
Khagaul grid 2. They have around 100 feeders which fall
under these substations. Thus the study of the city is done
based on the values of each substation separately. The
substations considered are 33KV / 11 KV substations and
are fed from a 132 KV GSS. This then goes to the
distribution transformers and then to the common
households. Patna city has been basically made in a radial
pattern with many feeders and sub feeders under it. This
gives a very high connectivity to the city and a possibility
for future expansions. This helps the city by giving a good
supply of electricity and providing a good coverage.
III. LOSSES IN THE POWER SYSTEM
In India, average T & D (Transmission & Distribution)
losses have been officially indicated as 23% of the
electricity generated. However, as persample studies
carried out by independent agencies, these losses have
been estimated to be as high as 50% in some states [1].
Bihar has a T & D loss of about 44% on the whole. With
the setting up of State Regulatory Commissions in the
country, accurate estimation of T&D losses has gained
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ANUSHA PILLAY, et.a!': ANALYSIS ON POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IN INDIA- PATNA CITY- A CASE STUDY

importance as the level of losses directly affects the sales determine the loss.
and power purchase requirements and hence has a bearing
on the determination of electricity tariff of a utility by the
commission. The BERC recommends for a 28% loss to
exist hence proper studies have to be done to accurately

LOSSES
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FIGURE 2. PATNA CITY MAP

FIGURE I. STAGES OF LOSSES IN POWER SYSTEM

Figure 1 shows the various losses at different stages of • Installation of lower capacity distribution
a power system. Thus, it is seen that sub transmission and transformers at each consumer premises instead
transmission are the biggest contributors to the technical of cluster formation and substitution of DTs with
losses. These technical losses are inherent in a system and
those having lower no load losses such as
can be reduced to an optimum level. The losses can
befurther sub grouped depending upon the stage of power amorphous core transformers.
transformation &transmission system as Transmission • Installation of shunt capacitors for improvement
Losses (400kV/220kVI132kV/66kV), as Sub transmission of power factor
losses (33kV 1\1kV) and Distribution losses
(llkV/OAkv).The losses in any system would, however, B. LONG TERM MEASURES
depend on the pattern of energy use, intensity of load • Mapping of complete primary and secondary
demand, load density, and capability and configuration of
the transmission and distribution system that vary for distribution system clearly depicting the various
various system elements. Transmission and distribution parameters such as conductor size line lengths
loss should be well within the limit of 10-\5 percent etc.
throughout the country and the total loss should be nearly • Compilation of data regarding existing loads,
about 23-28 % thus this reduction is very necessary. operating conditions, forecast of expected loads
IV. VA RIOUS TECHNICAL LOSS REDUCTION etc.
TECHNIQUES • Carrying out detailed distribution system studies
considering the expected load development
Technical loss reduction is one thing which a
electricity board of a state can take into consideration and during the next 8-\0 years.
implement so that the losses can be reduced considerably. • Preparation of long-term plans for phased
Various ways [1] to reduce technical loss are strengthening and improvement of the
distribution systems along with associated
A. SHORT TERM MEASURES transmission system.
• Identification of the weakest areas in the • Estimation of the financial requirements for
distribution system and strengthening limproving implementation of the different phases of system
them so as to draw the maximum benefits of the improvement works.
limited resources. • Formulation of comprehensive system
• Reducing the length of LT lines by relocation of improvement schemes with detailed investment
distribution sub stations/installations of program so as to meet system requirement for
additional distribution transformers (DTs). first 5 years period.

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 2014 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COMPUTATION OF POWER, ENERGY, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION (lCCPEIC)
C. OTHER METHODS
• Reconductoring replacing the existing
conductors by high capacity conductors,
• Parallel operation: this means connecting or
interconnecting the transformers and 2 or more
feeders together so that the resistance between
them decreases and the losses are reduced,
• Reducing HT-LT ratio.
• [mplementing power factor correction methods
• Changing the specifications of the transformer
used as per the peak load demand.
• Load sharing during peak load hours.
V. PROBLEM FORMULAT[ON
FIGURE 3. SINGLE LINE DlAGRAM-DIGHA GRID-I-BEFORE LOSS REDUCTION
The loss calculated per substation and the ways
implemented to reduce the losses according to the
necessity on a particular area are shown below.
A. ANALYSIS ON DIGHA GRlD- 1
Digha grid-l is a 33KV grid situated at the heart of
Patna city. It is a smallest grid in comparison to other
grids in Patna city. The following methods were
implemented in the Digha grid-l to reduce the losses:
Reducing LT length and increasing HT lengths as
The aim of this paper is to make a complete analysis
on the Patna distribution system. Firstly, the Patna city is
modeled using ETAP software. Secondly, specific
strategies to reduce losses are taken and implemented on
the system. A complete study on system losses are made
before and after implementing the methods on the system.
VI. S[MULAT[ONS AND RESULTS
ETAP software is used to determine the losses. This
allows the proper layout for the city to be made in the
form of single line diagram (SLG) which enables a better
understanding of the whole city's loss calculation in a
more precise way. Figure 3 shows the single line diagram
of D[GHA grid- [, Patna city
required, Removing sub feeders and connecting them
directly to the grid, placing appropriate transformers as
per the peak load requirements, Adding capacitor banks at
the consumer end to improve the power factor of the
supplied electricity. The results of these improvements are
as follows. There are seven feeders available under this
grid namely, RB[, [ndustrial, Nasriganj, BATA, CANAL,
Dighe and Rajeev Nagar.
TOTAL loss (BEFORE)-464.942355 [ KVA,
TOTAL loss (AFTER) -361.8332878 KVA, Difference­
[03.1 [5 KVA
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ANUSHA PILLAY, et.a!': ANALYSIS ON POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IN INDIA- PATNA CITY- A CASE STUDY

FIGURE 4. SINGLE LINE DIAGRAM DIGHA GRID-I-AFTER LOSS REDUCTION

B, ANALYSIS ON JAKKA NPUR GRID 1 Patna distribution circle. It has four feeders
namely
This is also a smallest grid next to Digha-l in the

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1 _982 MVA-
Load.2
2_43 iMVA.

FIGURE 5. SINGLE LINE DIAGRAM JAKKANPUR GRID-I-AFTER LOSS REDUCTION

Jakkanpur, Mithapur, Punpun (E) CESA and Punpun Similar analysis is done for all the other grids namely,
(W) CESA which runs from the Jakkanpur grid. Khagaul grid-I, Khagaul grid 2, Jakkanpur grid 2, Digha
grid-2, Jakkanpur grid 3.
Total losses (BEFORE)- 275.810 KVA, Total losses
(AFTER)-109.835 KVA, Difference- 165.875 KVA C. OTHER TECHNIQUES

Thus it is seen that there is a huge difference between a) PLACING APPROPRIATE

the losses calculated for each feeder in the grid. TRANSFORMERS

A section of a grid is taken for sample analysis and

three transformers with different ratings

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3 MVA

FIGURE 5. SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE TRANSFORMERS

(0.4 MVA, 1.5 MVA and 3 MVA respectively) are reduced by 0.72 % , for a 1.5 MVA, it is 2.66 % and for 3
taken to show how losses are reduced greatly. i.e. for a HT MVA it is 5.19 %.
length of 15 kms, and LT length of 2 km, when the
transformer of 5 MVA is replaced by 0.4 MVA the loss is

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 2014 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COMPUTATION OF POWER, ENERGY, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION (lCCPEIC)

kms and LT for 2 kms (refer orange line- LATER in figure

b) REDUCING LT LENGTH
A section of a grid is taken and two cases where
studied with HT line running for 2 kms and LT for 10 kms
(refer blue line- EA RLIER in figure 6), Similarly with HT
for 10
6). Figure 6 is drawn Figure 6. Loss reduction by varying LT length
for three different ratings of the transformers (0.4 MVA,
1.5 MVA and 3 MVA in the x axis) and loss % in the y
axis.

) LOSS DUE TO TRANSFORMER SATURATION

c As it is known, the losses decrease with lesser saturation

of the transformer, three different transformers of 3.5

FIGURE 6. Loss REDUCTION DUE TO CHANGE IN LT LENGTH

MVA, 5 MVA and 10 MVA is used on a section of a the loss which is caused due to the overheating of the
sample grid and losses are analyzed. In figure 7, if we transformer. ie. Transformer gets saturated as the load
increase the rating of the transformer then we can reduce increases.

FIGURE 7. Loss DUE TO TRANSFORMER SATURATION

d) REMOVAL OF SUB -FEEDERS
Sub feeders are an important factor in a radial system
for more loss to occur and a less reliable supply of
electricity in the feeder system of distribution. Thus by
removing the sub feeders and directly connecting them to
the main substation, the following advantages are
inferred.
• This decreases the reliability as a disconnection
of one feeder will lead to disconnection of all feeders
connected to it.
• This enables an equal share of power being
transferred to all the feeders and an additional loss is
prevented. Hence connecting the feeders directly to the
generating substation we can reduce the loss. This reduces
a decrement in the loss by 1-2% on an average for all the
loads.
VII. CONCLUSIONS
In this paper, a practical distribution system is taken
(Patna city, Bihar, India) and a complete analysis on loss
reduction is carried out on the system. It is found that the
total amount of loss in all the feeders is about
13,482.515KVA and the loss has gone down to 8129.283
It is also found that by reducing the number of sub feeders
in a radial distribution system has a huge impact on the
initial losses in the distribution system. Interconnected
system of distribution is the most feasible one
if money constraint is not there for laying out a
distribution system as it has the least amount of losses in
it and it's fed through both ends Hence the objectives of
the paper is fully met and loss has been considerably
reduced for the distribution system of Patna city.
VIII ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors acknowledge the support rendered by
Bihar State Power (Holding) Company Limited and VIT
University, Tamil Nadu for carrying out this work. The
authors also sincerely thank them for their technical
support throughout the period of their study.
IX. REFERENCES
[ I] S. A. Qureshil and F. Mahmoodl 'Evaluation by Implementation
of Distribution System Planning for Energy Loss Reduction', Pak.
J. Engg. & Appl. Sci. Vol. 4, Jan 2009, pp. 43-55
[2] Transmission and distribution in India a report, Ajoint initiative of

KVA (after implementing the changes as discussed in the WEC-IMC and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited.

earlier sections. Therefore total percentage loss 7.046 % is [3] Electricity Act 2003& rules, amended in 2007.

reduced to 4.35 % after implementing necessary changes.

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ANUSHA PILLAY, et.a!': ANALYSIS ON POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IN INDIA- PATNA CITY- A CASE STUDY

[ 4] Regulations for the electricity act 2003, published by Government

of India.

Anusha Pillay doing B. Tech (Ill year) in VIT

University, Vellore. Participated and presented
papers in national symposiums and national
conferences and one paper published in IEEE
International Conference. Presently working in
Formula student team of VIT.

Kartik Sharma currently pursuing B.Tech

(Ill Year) from VIT University, Vellore.
Presented papers in National Conferences
and one paper published inIEEE
International conference. His area of interest
includes Power Systems, Neural Networks
and Fuzzy Control. Currently working on
Smart Metering.

Dr.S. Prabhakar Karthikeyan is an

Associate Professor at VIT University,
V ellore, completed Ph.D under the guidance
of Dr.D.P.Kothari at the same university. His
Research interests include Issues in
Deregulated Electricity market including
Market Power, congestion management,
network cost allocation, etc., Distributed
Generation, FACTS and Power System
Planning.

Dr K Sathish Kumar has completed PhD

in Power Systems at VIT University,
Vellore. His research focus is on
reconfiguration of distribution systems,
smart grids, optimal power flow, optimal
load shedding, high voltage testing, high
voltage XLPE cables and problem solving
using optimization techniques. He has completed M. Tech in
High Voltage Engineering at SASTRA University, Thanjavur.
His B. E. ( EEE) is from Madurai Kamara.i University.

Shriram Srinivasarangan Rangarajan

received his Bachelor's degree in Electrical
and Electronics Engineering from Anna
University. He graduated with his Master's
degree in Electrical Engineering from
Syracuse University, NY , USA. He further
graduated with his second Master's Degree in Electrical
Engineering from 'The University of Western Ontario', Canada in
association with University of Waterloo, Canada. Currently he is
working as a Senior Assistant at V ellore Institute of Technology
(VIT), India. His Research Interests include Distributed
Generation and Grid Integration of Renewable Energy, Flexible
AC Transmission Systems and Distribution Systems.

Sreejith.S received his Bachelor's degree in Electrical and

Electronics Engineering from M.S
University. He completed his Master's in
Power Electronics and Drives from Anna
University Chennai. He completed his
Doctoral research in Electrical Engineering at
National Institute of Technology, Trichy,
India. Presently he is working as an
Associate Professor at VIT university,
V ellore. His areas of interest include FACTS, Power Electronics
& Drives and Power Electronics Applications to Power Systems.

309