Politically
speaking, DISCOs use their 11kV feeders as retail outlets to deliver power
supply to their teeming customers. DISCOS have their interface with
transmission (TCN) at the 33kV points where they radiate feeders into their
11kV Injection stations from where power supply is stepped down through
distribution transformers to 415volt levels and delivered to customers on both
3-phase and single-phase power supplies. Some commercial and industrial
customers, like steel plants, are connected to existing 33kV lines because of
the nature of their business activities as some of their installed equipment
are powered at that high voltage level.
Unfortunately, some residential customers who can afford it have migrated from the 11kV feeders to 33kV lines because of the unreliable nature of these 11kV feeders that are very fragile and weak, some even over-congested. Most of the existing 11kV feeders are inadequate and have substandard poles, broken insulators, under-rated conductors, too lengthy, poor protection systems etc.
Unfortunately, some residential customers who can afford it have migrated from the 11kV feeders to 33kV lines because of the unreliable nature of these 11kV feeders that are very fragile and weak, some even over-congested. Most of the existing 11kV feeders are inadequate and have substandard poles, broken insulators, under-rated conductors, too lengthy, poor protection systems etc.
The weak
nature of these 11kV feeders have given rise to the phenomenon of “point loads”
whereby customers tap their supply directly from the 33kV lines before the Injection
stations, which causes instability and incessant outages on the 33kV lines
thereby taking out large number of customers during faults.
This situation
further erodes the stability of the system as downstream faults are thrown back
into the TCN network thus giving rise to system stress, which often leads to
system disturbances and damage to TCN equipment and GENCO machines.
In line with the above ugly scenario, the DISCOs should invest more in their 11kV networks by making them robust and reliable through increasing their level of carrying out routine and preventive maintenance; prompt clearance of faults; upgrading these networks; embark on network expansion, and restoring customers that have migrated to 33kV lines back to their 11kV network.
The sanctity of the 33kV interface points between TCN and DISCOs should be restored for greater efficiency and system stability, and better customer satisfaction.
In line with the above ugly scenario, the DISCOs should invest more in their 11kV networks by making them robust and reliable through increasing their level of carrying out routine and preventive maintenance; prompt clearance of faults; upgrading these networks; embark on network expansion, and restoring customers that have migrated to 33kV lines back to their 11kV network.
The sanctity of the 33kV interface points between TCN and DISCOs should be restored for greater efficiency and system stability, and better customer satisfaction.
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