Enabling Utility GIS for Energy Audit and Network Analysis
In the nationwide implementation of IT-enabled power reforms in Indian distribution utilities, under the prestigious R-APDRP project, Geographical Information System (GIS) has gained importance as an effective tool for improving customer services, enhancing operational and energy efficiency and optimizing costs. Lot of emphasis is given by the state utilities on the leveraging GIS for creating an energy balance sheet and take effective measures to plug the revenue leakages. The geo-referenced electrical network overlaid on area base map is handy for the utility not only for managing assets and their maintenance, but also being used for mapping the electrical consumers to its source of supply for energy audit applications. Moreover, by integrating electrical GIS with network analysis application, various analytical studies are possible for load flow analysis, short circuit analysis, efficiency calculations and load planning. This paper describes how GIS is being leveraged in power utilities for energy audit and network analysis, and emerging as a powerful tool for load planning and management with the aim to improve the quality of electricity supply and related services.
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Enabling Utility GIS for Energy Audit and Network Analysis