Determination of Losses in Distribution Networks by Smart Meter Measurements

The paper describes a method for calculation of energy losses in the three-phase four-wire secondary distribution network that allows, based on the measurements of smart meters, determination of losses in the network as a sum of losses occurring during power transmission from the power supply node of the network to every load node. This method for losses determination does not require knowledge of parameters of the network elements and of neutral wire grounding. Efficiency of the method is confirmed by comparison of losses in the main feeder of a real secondary distribution network with the estimates of losses obtained using a non-linear state estimation algorithm based on the simple iteration method with adjustment of voltages of phase wires relative to a neutral wire at each iteration. The possibility of distribution of total energy losses in the feeder between single-phase loads and phases of each three-phase load is shown. The proposed methodology will make it possible to distribute network losses among end users on an equitable basis taking into account contribution to total losses.