Monitoring Energy Flows for Efficient Electricity Control in Low-Voltage Smart Grids

Ivan Alymov and Moshe Averbukh ()
Additional contact information
Ivan Alymov: Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel
Moshe Averbukh: Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-17

Abstract: Modern low-voltage distribution lines, especially those linked with renewable energy sources, face technical hurdles like unaccounted and illegal electricity use, increased power losses, voltage control issues, and overheating. Tackling these challenges effectively requires continuously monitoring power flows and identifying problematic network spots. This study introduces a method involving ongoing energy flow monitoring from distribution transformers and other sources to end-users through auxiliary facilities. The algorithm seamlessly integrates with consumers’ existing smart power meters and supporting infrastructure, eliminating the need for extra equipment or data. Deployed in several distribution networks totaling about 40 GWh/year over two years, this diagnostic system showed promising results. It notably cut total power consumption by around 6% by detecting and mitigating illegal energy waste and addressing technical issues. Additionally, it reduced technical personnel involvement in operational tasks by approximately twentyfold, significantly enhancing network profitability overall.

Keywords: low-voltage smart networks; smart power meters; monitoring electricity flows; power losses reduction; prevention illegal energy usage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/9/2123/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/9/2123/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:9:p:2123-:d:1385806

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().