This study illustrates the best approach for energy access to the affected area of a 900 MW Upper Karnali Hydropower Project (UKHPP) located in Western Nepal. As per concession agreement executed between the developer of UKHPP and the Government of Nepal, the developer will develop 2 MW power plant at the toe of the dam using the environmental release discharge to electrify the affected area of UKHPP. First, the study looks at the optimization of the electric grid network in the project affected area, using Kruskal’s algorithm. The optimization is carried out so that access to electricity is guaranteed to possible load centers in the affected area to the extent possible in technical and financial feasible manner. This study is an attempt to connect the possible load centers through an optimum network design based on demography, topography, technical feasibility and socio-economic factors. The study focuses on the design of the electrical network based on a least distance path between the identified nodes. The designed network is based on the survey using GIS, Topographical maps, and satellite views from Google map. A total of 57 load centers are identified connected through a grid 144.59 km in length. Similarly, taking n=4 sample, the total length of 220V distribution system is estimated to be 417.24 km.
After that, the study focuses on the Static Load Flow Analysis (SLFA) by developing a framework based on Conventional Newton- Raphson method to analyze the network’s parameters. The result obtained from the analysis is compared with the results of standard 33-bus radial feeder system and forward/backwards (f/b) sweep based algorithm using statistical analysis. The standard error is accepted for the 95% level of significance. It is concluded that, the load flow analysis (LFA) of the primary distribution in this study conducted using the N-R method was adequate and best fit for a grid-like network with medium voltage level. The estimated losses are low and under the limit (i.e. 2.04%) which shows that the designed system performs adequately. From the analysis, it is found that, the pre-defined generation of 2 MW power is insufficient to electrify the whole affected area of the UKHPP. Different alternative ways are recommended to manage the load and provide electricity to the people of the affected area.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Project Background
1.2 Upper Karnali Hydropower Project (UKHPP)
1.3 Research Questions
1.4 Research Objectives
1.5 Research Approaches
1.5.1 Phase One
1.5.2 Phase Two
1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Thesis
CHAPTER 2: FUNDAMENTALS OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
2.1 Types of Distribution Systems
2.1.1 Classification based on nature of current
2.1.2 Classification based on construction
2.1.3 Classification based on the arrangement
CHAPTER 3: SELECTION OF OPTIMAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
3.1 Required Data and Assumptions
3.2 Selection of Load Center and Grid Network
3.3 Selection of Grid Network
3.3.1 Algorithm for Kruskal’s algorithm
3.3.2 Flow Chart for Kruskal’s algorithm
3.4 Optimized Grid Network
3.5 Voltage level Selection
3.6 Conductor Selection
CHAPTER 4: LOAD FLOW ANALYSIS OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
4.1 Mathematical Background
4.2 Solution Algorithm and Flow Chart
CHAPTER 5: SIMULATION RESULTS
5.1 Load Flow Analysis Results
5.2 Results Summary
5.3 Sensitivity Analysis
CHAPTER 6: VERIFICATION OF RESULTS
6.1 PSAT Simulink
6.2 Standard 33-bus Radial Feeder System & f/b Sweep based Algorithm
CHAPTER 7: ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION
7.1 Identify the remaining alternative sources and connect into the grid network
7.1.1 Central Generation of Energy
7.1.2 Distributed Generation of Energy
7.2 Electrify limited area on the basis of priority
CHAPTER 8: COST ESTIMATION
CHAPTER 9: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Objectives and Research Themes
The primary objective of this research is to design, develop, and evaluate a model for an energy access system specifically tailored for the area affected by the Upper Karnali Hydropower Project. The study addresses the challenge of providing reliable electricity to remote, hilly regions by optimizing the network layout and analyzing the system's technical performance.
- Optimization of electrical distribution networks using Kruskal's algorithm.
- Load flow analysis to determine system characteristics and voltage stability.
- Evaluation of technical and economic feasibility for rural electrification.
- Integration of renewable energy sources for sustainable energy access.
- Comparative analysis of different load flow algorithms.
Excerpt from the Book
3.3 Selection of Grid Network
The research area of this study is located in hilly region of the country, where the location of proposed nodes occurred from (28°43'49.14"N) to (29° 1'13.87"N) in south north direction, (81°22'37.57"E) to (81°36'9.96"E) in east west direction, with altitude variation from 494 m of sea level to 1976 m. The project area is unique in itself and have its own characteristics defined by steep hills, river crossings, forest and frequent altitude variation. All these factors contribute significantly to the design of the electrical network.
The possible path for the electrification was identified with the least distance between all the nodes, based on the online survey with the help of different maps. The criterion for selection of possible way was based on the technical, physical, environmental, economic and social consideration. After that, distance between the nodes with possible way was calculated. Then, selection of network was completed considering distance from the least to greatest according to the Kruskal’s algorithm.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION: Outlines the project background in Nepal, the specific challenges of the Upper Karnali Hydropower Project, and defines the research questions and objectives.
CHAPTER 2: FUNDAMENTALS OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS: Explains the basic components and classifications of electrical distribution systems, including AC vs. DC and overhead vs. underground setups.
CHAPTER 3: SELECTION OF OPTIMAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM: Details the data collection, load center identification, and the application of Kruskal’s algorithm for optimizing the grid network layout.
CHAPTER 4: LOAD FLOW ANALYSIS OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM: Provides the mathematical background and algorithmic framework for conducting static load flow analysis using the Newton-Raphson method.
CHAPTER 5: SIMULATION RESULTS: Presents the findings of the grid simulation, including voltage profiles, power loss calculations, and sensitivity analysis regarding load demands.
CHAPTER 6: VERIFICATION OF RESULTS: Validates the developed model by comparing results with PSAT Simulink and standard 33-bus radial distribution feeder benchmarks.
CHAPTER 7: ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION: Explores strategies for overcoming power generation deficits by suggesting alternative renewable sources and prioritized area electrification.
CHAPTER 8: COST ESTIMATION: Calculates the investment and operational costs required for equipment, pole installation, and infrastructure for the proposed distribution grid.
CHAPTER 9: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Summarizes the thesis contributions and suggests further research paths for techno-economic optimization and project management.
Keywords
Upper Karnali Hydropower Project, Rural Electrification, Kruskal’s Algorithm, Load Flow Analysis, Newton-Raphson Method, Distribution System, Grid Optimization, Voltage Regulation, Renewable Energy, Power Loss, Energy Access, Nepal, Static Load Flow, Network Design, Techno-economic Analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on planning and designing an optimal primary electrical distribution system for the area affected by the 900 MW Upper Karnali Hydropower Project in Western Nepal to provide energy access.
What are the primary themes covered in this study?
Key themes include grid network topology optimization, load flow analysis (LFA), conductor selection, economic voltage level determination, and cost estimation for rural infrastructure.
What is the ultimate goal of the proposed system?
The goal is to design a technically and economically efficient distribution grid that maximizes electricity access for households in the project-affected districts, despite the challenging, mountainous topography.
Which scientific method is employed for grid optimization?
The study utilizes Kruskal’s algorithm to create a minimum spanning tree that connects identified load centers with the least total network distance.
What does the main part of the thesis analyze?
The main body focuses on developing a static load flow analysis framework, simulating the performance of the proposed 57-node grid, and verifying the stability of the system using numerical algorithms.
What keywords describe the work best?
The work is characterized by terms such as rural electrification, grid optimization, load flow analysis, and Upper Karnali Hydropower Project.
Is the pre-planned 2 MW generation capacity sufficient according to the study?
The study concludes that the pre-defined 2 MW of power from the dam's toe is insufficient to meet the projected electricity demand for all affected areas under the analyzed conditions.
How does the author verify the accuracy of the model?
The model's validity is confirmed by benchmarking the results against a standard 33-bus radial feeder system and simulating the same parameters using the PSAT power system toolbox in MATLAB.
- Quote paper
- Master Ashish Shrestha (Author), 2017, Planning, Design and Optimization of Distribution System for Affected Area of Upper Karnali Hydropower Project, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/378772
