Dear researchers,
As you know, non-technical energy loss is a major problem in distribution networks especially in traditional ones with no smart meters. I know that the huge amount of non-technical energy loss is caused by electricity thefts mostly in rural areas. Nowadays, the novel configurations of networks are prevailing which can prevent at least electricity theft. However, it is still happening and results in huge amount of money loss! Here are my questions:
1. What are the other causes of non-technical loss and how can we reduce them?
2. Who must pay for it?
3. How can we consider it in novel electricity market places?
4. What is the easiest way to detect and prevent/reduce this type of loss in networks?
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Followings are the measures that might be/is ensured:
1) “Watchdog” effect on users. Users become aware that the utility can monitor consumption at its convenience.
2) Implementation of pre-paid consumption from consumer end
3) Strong anti corruption law enforcement.
4) Using automated/smart meters.
in a distribution network there are two categories of losses. there are technical losses and non-technical losses. technical losses are linked to the operation of the network. they represent the dissipation of heat due to the passage of electric current in windings, lines and measuring devices. they are inevitable but they can be reduced by optimizing the functioning of the networks. on the other hand, non-technical losses are due to the energy consumed but not recorded. they are due to the clandestine connection on the networks, the theft of energy by the rigging of the counting systems, to voluntary or involuntary errors in the readings and billing system, to the underestimation of the reading coefficients of the current transformers and voltage in high-voltage metering and direct connection to connections and others. In electrical systems in developing countries, there are generally more non-technical than technical losses. non-technical losses in developed countries are almost nil.
Great questions, Hooman Firoozi !
I'm researching non-technical losses, and maybe I can help you. I'm going to answer your first two questions below. We have a paper under review on Energy Policy that can help you understand the third and the fourth questions. When it's published, I'll write my opinion here.
1. What are the other causes of non-technical loss and how can we reduce them?
We recently published a systematic review about non-technical losses that analyzes the causes and consequences of NTL. According to the Finding 1 of our study, NTL is caused by theft, fraud, or malicious and illegal connections to the grid, installation errors, meters deficiency or tampering, lack or delay of payment by consumers, and errors in accounting, billing, and record-keeping.
NTL has several consequences for countries, concessionaires, and society, including economic and financial issues, reduction of investment capacity to improve the electricity network, partial or complete power disruptions, and even increased power theft due to the increase of tariffs.
You can have full access to our article at the following link:
https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1d5a04s9Hw2EE9
Article Non-technical losses: A systematic contemporary article review
2. Who must pay for it?
In Brazil, the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency (ANEEL) regulates all aspects of electricity distribution, even power losses. The concessionaires have regulatory goals. Concessionaires can charge regular consumers for all of the electricity lost below these regulatory goals. Is it the fairest way? I guess it's not. But it helps to change the Brazilian people's mindset on the culture of electricity theft, and it proposes incentives for the concessionaires to reduce NTL.
Best regards,
Fernando.
Hi, Hooman Firoozi, there is not an easy answer for all questions.
I can share with you the incident characteristic we found on one electric company in Colombia, you can read on Article Identification of the characteristics incident to the detect...
for the last question 4. What is the easiest way to detect and prevent/reduce this type of loss in networks?
I think there is not create a detect system of NTL because of the dynamic behavior of the energy theft when you improve the energy network security, you have a time of response while the new methods for thefts raise from the users. Another important issue is the regulatory law in each country. For example, the law can allow it is cheaper to pay a penalty fee than the energy used in the theft period. So user can prefer to generate NTL instead of paying the energy bill and waiting for the penalty fee.
You have to study several topics you need to mix to understand this complex problem.
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