An Analytical Research Article By- Dr.Touhid Muhammed Faisal Kamal,Doctorate in Sc.
Electricity is the basic infrastructure of today's modern development. But unfortunately this is the most painful suffering and crisis of
1. HOW TO OVERCOME THESE CRISES?
There are two types of Electricity shortage depending on timing.
a. Peak-hour (Evening)-shortage-, which mainly affects residential and other Users. Our present Peak hour shortage is around 30% (1500MW) or more of our Generation.
b. Off-Peak-hour-shortage-, which affects Industries, Offices and other users? Our present Off-Peak hour shortage is around 15-20% (500 MW) of Generation.
We can reduce Electricity crises by reduction of Losses of electrical system. These losses if effectively reduced can save 250 MW or 6% of our electricity demand. Assuming 1 MW plant cost Tk 4 Crore, it will save at least 1000 Crore and construction period of 3-4 years.
Losses are of two types:
a. Non Technical Losses- Which is mainly due to electricity theft, leakage from trees in contact with electrical lines etc.
b. Technical Losses-, which is mainly in equipments, due to technical reasons, equipment quality etc.
2. HOW TO REDUCE NON-TECHNICAL LOSSES
a. METER CHECKING BY CRASH PROGRAMME This will lead to at least 4+ % Peak/Off-Peak Hr saving (150 MW in Peak hour)
Meters are considered CASH BOX of Electricity system. These must have accuracy, durable and reliable.
3. HOW TO IMPLEMENT IT:
a. All Electric meters should be Digital. Now a day Digital Single phase electrical meters are available in the market. It's to be regularly checked (Industries twice or more, others every month) in following priority.
i. Large Industries.
ii. Other Industries.
iii. Markets, shopping malls etc.
iv. Residential quarters in posh areas.
v. Others.
b. Utilization of data of computerized meters in large Industries. We have computerized meters in Industries, but not knowing fully, the benefits and specialties of these computerized meters due to our technical know-how limitation. The data from the meters are to be regularly down loaded and analyzed to check any pilferage. Even meter bypass can be easily checked. This is very easy and is done in other countries. Again a Modem can be installed with the meters and in Call Centers, the Operator can easily see the data on Computer and analyze the data. This technology is followed in many countries. This way any hidden pilferage by Industries can be easily detected.
c. Heavy punishment for electricity theft. Heavy Financial and other Penalty or Punishment at least 10 Times of approximate pilferage and / or Jail term of Minimum 1 year and more. For it Laws are to be amended accordingly.
Additional Magistrates be deputed to REB, PDB, DESA etc for 2-3 years with necessary Transports, logistic support.
Result: Revenue increase, Load shedding decrease. Public will be discouraged to go for electricity theft, Moral of department goes up with the new administrative power.
4. SYSTEM LOSS REDUCTION & INCENTIVES/PENALTY
Present System loss is decreasing. Further decrease needs special efforts for which extra
Bonus equal to 15% of the Selling Price of Electricity saved in MWHr in 6 months interval
Be given to the employees of all Electricity Distribution Department, viz PDB, DESA,
DESCO REB/PBS etc on half yearly basis.
Penalty to be imposed if respective Electricity Supply Units does not achieve Targets.
How to analyze System Loss:
a. Correct picture of System loss is to be given by all.
b. System loss is to be determined including 33 Kv line loss or up to Grid sub station and not at the 33/11 Kv sub station.
c. As a bad practice KWHr (Units) is shown against Minimum Bill amount in case of Domestic and Commercial consumers. Actual KWHr consumption is to be reflected.
d. Resale of electricity at 33 Kv by Electric Utilities may be considered in their internal loss calculation, but it is to be excluded from Over all System loss calculation. This is duplication of electricity purchase and sale units and correct picture is concealed.
Reduction of System Loss-additional measures:
a. Ensure all electrical lines be free from tress or other Right of way items.
b. No loose connection in joints. Connectors be used in such case.
c. System should phase balanced.
d. Adequate grounding be ensured at all level.
e. Superior class electrical meters be installed.
f. Prepaid meters be introduced in phases, specially for consumers with high consumption. This will also help bill collection.
g. Feeder wise system loss be ensured.
Remember this extra revenue was simply washed out. Government is receiving this
additional revenue, as such a bonus equivalent to 15% is very logical.
A system loss reduction 1 % will yield extra Tk 50 Crore or more per year.
As this sector has high corruption, so this Incentive will lead to reduction in
Corruption in this sector, revenue increase and Load shedding decrease.
5. REDUCTION OF TECHNICAL LOSSES (Minimum 2% Peak/Off-Peak Hour saving= 100/70MW Peak/Off Peak saving)
This includes:
a. Improvement of Power factor at Consumer premises.
i. Consumers must maintain 90%+ Power factor within next 2 months.
ii. Penalty for Lower Power factor be doubled & it is to be realized in KWHr.
iii. Electricity Distribution organization staffs must routinely check Power factor of Consumers. Any negligence or corrupt means to be heavily punished.
b. Improvement of Power factor by installation of Capacitor Banks in feeders.
c. Improvement of voltage by installing Voltage Regulators as done in REB sub-stations.
d. Reduction of Line loss by constructing 33 KV Express feeder lines including breakers etc. up to various sub stations.
e. Renovation of existing lines having high technical losses by feeder bifurcation, Load balancing, conductor change etc.
f. Efficient and high quality equipments, which have less technical or equipment loss, be used in electrical system.
g. Other technical improvements as deemed fit by Engineers.
This will improve voltage, decrease technical losses, improve electrical system and minimize Peak load.
CONCLUSION
Note:This write up is prepared by the author with the help of Energy Bangladesh website & other information from online sources and physical visit to the power outlets and detail discussion with Superviser,Executive Engineers and Field level engineers due to their service code of conduct name of the person can not be mentioned..
Touhid Muhammad Faisal Kamal is an IT professional with expertise in Governance,MIS,E-commerce and Business sector. He has first hand practical experience of working as C.O.O of Corporate body in the private sector. He was Editor of the First Real Estate Bulletin of the country.As an IT Specialist, he has over 8 years of hands-on professional experience of Development,teaching, research & administration. Lectured widely at various business schools including BGC Trust University,University of Information technology and sciences, Southern University, CMC,Kolkata,India, and also in Local various schools of Training and has presented papers at National and International Seminars. Contributed articles to leading business journals, editor of professional journals like "Sushason-The Good Governance" and Online Daily "The Daily Bangladesh Watch" Possesses a superb representational, communication and negotiation skills and has in credit a distinguished record of leadership in society and business arena.
Presently Secretary of Center for Good Governance, Editor-Sushason-The Good Governance Journal, Editor- The Daily Bangladesh Watch,FAVP & CEO of Imperial Group.
He may be reached at:
Email: tmfaisalkamal@gmail.com
Cell: 088-01199704595
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