Modern Electric Distribution Management System (Case Study: Rafah Governorate Distribution Grid)

Abstract

Modern power distribution management system (DMS) is a real-time information system used to monitor and control all activities and functions in an electric distribution system. This system consists of many applications including: geographical information system (GIS), load flow analysis and customer information. It may include other applications depending on the distribution utility progress and its needs. This research work introduces the basic steps to build a modern power distribution management system for Rafah governorate which is chosen to be the study model since it suffers from poor technical status with ever increasing demand for electric power. The work done includes the load flow analysis of the Medium Voltage (MV) grid in Rafah using ETAP software which evaluates the technical status of the present distribution system. According to the simulation results, suitable solutions for most of the problems existing in the distribution network are proposed in order to properly manage the power demand growth, voltage enhancement and loss reduction. Moreover, the research presents a GIS model for the existing distribution feeders using ArcGIS software in which it highlights the applications and functions of GIS in an electrical distribution system. These applications include information processing, two and three-dimensional visualization of electrical objects on their geographical nodes, integration between ArcGIS and Google Earth, customer indexing (CI), network planning, and finally integration between the ArcGIS and ETAP. The results obtained show that developing a DMS enhances reliability and efficiency of the distribution grid in Rafah governorate and that it can be used as a reference model to be applied to all governorates in the Gaza Strip.