Load Flow Study of Nsukka Electricity Distribution Grid for Enhanced Performance

Abstract

For the past two decades, Nigerian electricity sector have continued to witness acute shortage. The situation is not only ascribed to widened discrepancy between energy demand and embarrassing population growth. The obsolete infrastructure without appropriate upgrading facilities to withstand the increasing loads makes the grid more susceptibility to collapse. The research is focused on load flow investigation of 30- bus, 33/11 kV Nsukka electricity distribution network. Simulation was performed using ETAP software. The voltage profile value of 90.012 % and -9.438o phase angle obtained from initial results confirmed that the entire network is weakened thus, required reinforcement. The simulation was repeated when 12 MW solar power was integrated in the grid. The power losses reduced from 156.7 kW, 1544.9 kVar to 54.6 kW and 102.4 kVar, while the phase angle and voltage profile improved to 4.44o and 100.12 %, in line with the statutory voltage profile of 100±5%.