Addressing the Metering System and the

Losses in Eastern Transmission System 29.08.2013

Abstract
The issue of metering system and the losses (System and Transmission) has been a long issue
which requires a detail system analysis to address it. The varying system losses of substation
and the transmission line losses which sometimes come negative is a matter of concern.
Concerns have been raised for inconsistency on the timing of the reading that the shift duty
takes. However on our part we have never defined the transmission losses and the system
losses precisely. What is the maximum limit of transmission loss for certain MW of load
transferred? What are the impedance of the lines and the diagram? What is our metering
road map? etc. These are some of the questions that arise time and again. This paper is a
small initiative on addressing such issues as accurately as possible and to initiate small
change in the metering system especially in the eastern grid.
The discussion is focused on addressing the transmission/Substation losses and the
metering automation largely.
1. Defining Transmission Line Loss
The transmission line losses have been swinging from positive to negative with months and
seasons. Any technical person will be astonished by such swing, sometimes indicating a
lossless lines and sometime concerns of lines generating power arises which in practical
scenario are never correct. Multiple office memos have been circulated from TD head office
to address the issue. Shift duty have been trying to record the reading as accurately as
possible but the problem never subsides due to difference in timing of the reading. To
define a transmission loss impedance diagram of the power system network is necessary
and the impedance diagram for the eastern networks is not available at the moment. To
site an example L & T Construction took the line angle (inductance) as 73.5 while ABB
took as 67.5. It is confusing as to which is the correct line angle. Central Electricity
Authority of India (CEA) has given the line characteristics for several conductors in its
manual but advises the users to calculate manually if data are available at site. Since the
transmission towers are standing right infront of us and the R, Y, B line configuration is also
visible with possible line transposition at the substation, it is necessary for us to calculate
the actual line angle. Therefore I am in a process of collecting these data from the field so as
to come out with the eastern impedance diagram.
After this the data will be fed into the PSSE software and with simulation done at the peak
loading condition, we should be having the line loss at maximum loading condition, which
will be a bench mark of transmission loss for that particular line. Transmission losses
obtained from JEMR shall be compared with these figures to ascertain the losses are within
its limit.
2. Metering System
Substations under SMD Kanglung is having lots of electromechanical energy meter and
Secure (C3V051) meters which are incompatible for automation. However, we have
received 46 Itron Energy Meter (SL7000) recently which is to be installed on 11kV feeders.
But now here, selection has to be done wisely so as to address the metering system in the
east. So we have selected all the active feeders (11kV as well as 33kV) where we intend to
install the Itron Meters. We have 47 active feeders that run to ESD and of course we have
spare Actaris energy meters. By installing 47 energy meters, SMD Kanglung solves the
problem of metering problems. With this all our metering point will be digitized.
While programming these meters, we want to program in such a way that the meters will
be automatically recording the cumulated value of energy at 12:30hrs of 1st day of every
month. This recorded value will be displayed and the shift duty can transfer this value for
JEMR. In fact all the 47 meters that are under active transaction of energy will be recording
the cumulated energy at 12:30hrs of 1st day of every month at the same time
simultaneously. So by this we get rid of timing difference of JEMR reading. What the shift
duty needs to do is just copy this recorded value for JEMR compilation.
And for the existing Actaris SL7000 meters, we shall be checking the configuration and
setting it to the same time in respect of End of Billing i.e 12:30hrs of 1st day of every
month.
3. Metering Automation
Since the present system of recording the energy is manual recording, errors are more as
we all are aware off. Difference in timing of the readings taken for every single parameters
that the shift duty records, is a source of errors for power system planners and the
immediate operators. And the same synchronization of taking the readings has to match
with other substation so that we have real time data. The continuous load profile, voltage
profile, etc are never known to us. Therefore automating the readings at substation levels
with the synchronization of clocks for every energy meter for all substations will eliminate
the errors and the real time data can be checked and analyzed any time.
The Metering automation will include three steps:
1. Data Collection software.
2. Meter Data Management Software.
3. Analysis Software.
A prototype of the proposed metering automation system is shown below;




















This is just an idea but for it to materialize, lots of study needs to be carried out. The best
part is we already have the energy meters which are capable of working with automation.
After carrying out all the trial studies and its adaptability in our system, probably I should
be ready with the cost benefit analysis of the system. As of now I intend to carry out the
pilot study at 132/33/11kV Kanglung Substation and if successful, the same shall be
replicated to other substation under SMD Kanglung.





Energy data comprehensive
collection device
Itron SL 7000 Multifunctional Electric Energy Meter
LAN Connection
LAN Connection
Main station of
the electric
energy data
management
system
This paper intends to eliminate and automate the following;
1. Eliminate the transmission loss confusion and come up with well defined
transmission loss for a particular line and the real time transmission loss.
2. Eliminate the errors on system losses at substation with real time figures. No
doubts on the system loss from any sources.
3. Lets eradicate the manual system of recording the substation parameters and
replace with the metering automation.
While the item no. 1 & 2 will be completed within a month or two, the item no. 3 may
require some time for carrying out studies and finalizing.
By writing this report, I intend to receive feedbacks and suggestion from the readers and
guidance wherever applicable.

Completed by:


(Cheten Tshering)
Engineer,
SMD Kanglung.