Types of losses in electrical networks. Calculation of electricity losses in electrical networks

Electricity losses in electrical networks are inevitable, so it is important that they do not exceed an economically justified level. Exceeding technological consumption standards indicates problems that have arisen. To correct the situation, it is necessary to establish the causes of non-target costs and choose ways to reduce them. The information collected in this article describes many aspects of this difficult task.

Types and structure of losses

Losses mean the difference between the electricity supplied to consumers and the energy actually received by them. To normalize losses and calculate their actual value, the following classification was adopted:

• Technological factor. It directly depends on characteristic physical processes, and can change under the influence of the load component, semi-fixed costs, as well as climatic conditions.
• Expenses spent on operating auxiliary equipment and providing necessary conditions for the work of technical staff.
• Commercial component. This category includes errors in metering devices, as well as other factors causing under-metering of electricity.

Below is an average graph of losses for a typical electric company.

As can be seen from the graph highest expenses associated with transmission via overhead lines (power lines), this accounts for about 64% of total number losses. In second place is the corona effect (ionization of air near the overhead line wires and, as a consequence, the occurrence of discharge currents between them) – 17%.

Based on the presented graph, it can be stated that the largest percentage of non-targeted expenses falls on the technological factor.

Main causes of electricity losses

Having understood the structure, let's move on to the reasons that cause inappropriate expenditure in each of the categories listed above. Let's start with the components of the technological factor:

1. Load losses occur in power lines, equipment and various elements of electrical networks. Such costs directly depend on the total load. This component includes:

• Losses in power lines are directly related to current strength. That is why, when transmitting electricity over long distances, the principle of increasing it several times is used, which contributes to a proportional reduction in current and, accordingly, costs.
• Consumption in transformers of magnetic and electrical nature (). As an example, below is a table that shows cost data for substation voltage transformers in 10 kV networks.

Non-target consumption in other elements is not included in this category due to the complexity of such calculations and the insignificant amount of costs. For this, the following component is provided.

1. Category of semi-fixed expenses. It includes costs associated with the normal operation of electrical equipment, these include:

• Idle operation of power plants.
• Costs in equipment providing reactive load compensation.
• Other types of costs in various devices, the characteristics of which do not depend on the load. Examples include power insulation, metering devices in 0.38 kV networks, measuring current transformers, surge limiters, etc.

Taking into account the last factor, the energy costs for melting ice should be taken into account.

Costs for supporting the operation of substations

Costs included in this category electrical energy on the functioning of auxiliary devices. Such equipment is necessary for the normal operation of the main units responsible for the conversion of electricity and its distribution. Costs are recorded using metering devices. Here is a list of the main consumers belonging to this category:

• ventilation and cooling systems for transformer equipment;
• heating and ventilation of the technological room, as well as internal lighting fixtures;
• lighting of areas adjacent to substations;
• battery charging equipment;
• operational circuits and monitoring and control systems;
• outdoor equipment heating systems, such as air circuit breaker control modules;
• various types of compressor equipment;
• auxiliary mechanisms;
• equipment for repair work, communication equipment, as well as other devices.

Commercial component

These costs mean the balance between absolute (actual) and technical losses. Ideally, such a difference should tend to zero, but in practice this is not realistic. This is primarily due to the characteristics of electricity meters and electricity meters installed at end consumers. It's about error. There are a number of specific measures to reduce losses of this type.

This component also includes errors in bills issued to consumers and theft of electricity. In the first case, a similar situation may arise for the following reasons:

• the contract for the supply of electricity contains incomplete or incorrect information about the consumer;
• incorrectly indicated tariff;
• lack of control over meter data;
• errors related to previously adjusted accounts, etc.

As for theft, this problem occurs in all countries. As a rule, such illegal actions are carried out by unscrupulous household consumers. Note that sometimes incidents occur with enterprises, but such cases are quite rare, and therefore are not decisive. It is typical that the peak of thefts occurs in the cold season, and in those regions where there are problems with heat supply.

There are three methods of theft (understating meter readings):

1. Mechanical. This means appropriate intervention in the operation of the device. This can be slowing down the rotation of the disk by direct mechanical action, changing the position of the electric meter by tilting it by 45° (for the same purpose). Sometimes a more barbaric method is used, namely, the seals are broken and the mechanism is unbalanced. An experienced specialist will instantly detect mechanical interference.
2. Electric. This can be an illegal connection to an overhead line by “throwing”, a method of investing a phase of the load current, as well as the use of special devices for its full or partial compensation. In addition, there are options with shunting the current circuit of the meter or switching phase and zero.
3. Magnetic. With this method, a neodymium magnet is brought to the body of the induction meter.

Almost all modern metering devices cannot be “deceived” using the methods described above. Moreover, such attempts to interfere can be recorded by the device and stored in memory, which will lead to dire consequences.

The concept of loss standard

This term means the establishment of economically sound criteria for non-target expenditure for a certain period. When standardizing, all components are taken into account. Each of them is carefully analyzed separately. As a result, calculations are made taking into account the actual (absolute) level of costs for the past period and an analysis of various opportunities that make it possible to realize the identified reserves to reduce losses. That is, the standards are not static, but are regularly revised.

The absolute level of costs in this case means the balance between the transferred electricity and technical (relative) losses. Technological loss standards are determined by appropriate calculations.

Who pays for lost electricity?

It all depends on the defining criteria. If we are talking about technological factors and costs of supporting the operation of related equipment, then payment for losses is included in the tariffs for consumers.

The situation is completely different with the commercial component; if the established loss rate is exceeded, the entire economic load is considered an expense for the company that supplies electricity to consumers.

Ways to reduce losses in electrical networks

Costs can be reduced by optimizing the technical and commercial components. In the first case, the following measures should be taken:

• Optimization of the circuit and operating mode of the electrical network.
• Study of static stability and identification of powerful load nodes.
• Reduction of total power due to the reactive component. As a result, the share active power will increase, which will have a positive impact on the fight against losses.
• Transformer load optimization.
• Equipment modernization.
• Various load balancing methods. For example, this can be done by introducing a multi-tariff payment system, in which per hour maximum load increased cost of kWh. This will significantly reduce the consumption of electricity during certain periods of the day; as a result, the actual voltage will not “sag” below acceptable standards.

You can reduce your business costs by:

• regular search for unauthorized connections;
• creation or expansion of units exercising control;
• checking readings;
• automation of data collection and processing.

Methodology and example for calculating electricity losses

In practice, the following methods are used to determine losses:

• carrying out operational calculations;
• daily criterion;
• calculation of average loads;
• analysis of the greatest losses of transmitted power by day and hour;
• access to generalized data.

Full information on each of the methods presented above can be found in regulatory documents.

In conclusion, we give an example of calculating costs in a TM 630-6-0.4 power transformer. The calculation formula and its description are given below; it is suitable for most types of similar devices.

Calculation of losses in a power transformer

To understand the process, you should familiarize yourself with the main characteristics of TM 630-6-0.4.

Now let's move on to the calculation.

In the last issue of the magazine, we published an article by Yuri Zhelezko on the regulation of technological losses of electricity in low and medium voltage networks. The author outlined his methodology for determining the standard. Today we present a different view on the same topic by Valery Eduardovich Vorotnitsky.

An analysis of foreign experience shows that the increase in electricity losses in networks is an objective process for countries with a crisis economy and a reformed energy sector, a sign of existing gaps between the solvency of consumers and electricity tariffs, an indicator of insufficient investment in the network infrastructure and electricity metering system, and the lack of full-scale automated information systems. systems for collecting and transmitting data on the useful supply of electricity, the structure of electricity flows by voltage levels, electricity balances in electrical networks.
In countries where the above factors occur, electricity losses in electrical networks are usually high and tend to increase. The dynamics of losses in domestic electrical networks over the past 10-12 years shows that Russia is no exception in this sense.
The cost of losses is part of the costs of transmitting and distributing electricity through electrical networks. The greater the losses, the higher these costs and, accordingly, electricity tariffs for end consumers. It is known that part of the losses is the technological consumption of electricity necessary to overcome the resistance of the network and deliver the electricity generated at power plants to consumers. This technologically necessary electricity consumption must be paid by the consumer. This, in essence, is the loss standard.
Losses caused by non-optimal operating modes of the electrical network, errors in the electricity metering system, and shortcomings in energy sales activities are direct losses for energy supply organizations and, of course, should be reduced. This is why the Federal Energy Commission of Russia, as the main government agency The executive branch, designed to curb the growth of electricity tariffs, establishes standards for electricity losses in electrical networks and methods for calculating them. There are currently quite heated discussions around these methods, both scientific and purely practical. There are, in particular, proposals for a methodology for taking into account some additional components of the loss standard.
The purpose of this article is to outline one of the approaches to rationing losses, which was voiced by the author in November 2002 at the International Scientific and Technical Seminar “Rating, Analysis and Reduction of Electricity Losses in Electric Networks - 2002” and received support both at the seminar itself and and in some publications by experts on electricity losses, in particular in.

Loss standard structure
The loss standard is based on technical losses of electricity in electrical networks, caused by the physical processes of transmission and distribution of electricity, determined by calculation and including “variable” and conditionally constant losses, as well as the standard consumption of electricity for the own needs of substations.
In accordance with Articles 247, 252, 253 and 254 of Chapter 25 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation, the standard for electricity losses in electrical networks can be defined as an economically justified and documented technological consumption of electricity during its transportation, provided that this consumption was incurred to carry out activities aimed at receiving income.
According to clause 58 and table clause 1.3 of the Resolution of the Federal Economic Commission of the Russian Federation N 37-E/1 dated May 14, 2003, the loss standard should include:

• no-load losses in transformers, banks of static capacitors and static compensators, shunt reactors, synchronous compensators (SC) and generators operating in SC mode;
• losses to the crown in the lines;
• electricity consumption for substations’ own needs;
• other justified and documented conditionally permanent losses;
• load variable losses in electrical networks;
• losses due to errors in electricity metering devices.

What losses do we have?
To date, a fairly large number of methods for calculating technical losses of electricity have been developed. These methods are the result of many years of work by a large army of specialists who, over the years, have devoted themselves to refining the calculations of losses in networks. A large number of candidate and doctoral dissertations have been defended on this topic, but the issue still remains relevant and has not been fully studied. This is due to the fact that there is no complete and reliable information about the loads of electrical networks of all voltage levels. Moreover, the lower the rated network voltage, the less complete and reliable information about the loads is available.
The differences in the methods proposed by individual specialists mainly consist in attempts to either fill in the missing information or increase its accuracy through generalization, the use of statistical data for similar past periods, etc. The beginning of the unification of methods for calculating technical losses and establishing loss standards coincides approximately with the beginning of active implementation computer technology into the practice of calculating the modes of electrical networks in the mid-60s of the 20th century.
The first loss standards were established in the Temporary Standards for the Operation of Urban and Rural Electric Networks, approved by Order of the Ministry of Public Utilities of the RSFSR No. 334 dated November 30, 1964.
Over the past thirty years, a number of industry guidelines have been issued on methods for calculating electricity losses in electrical networks of all voltage levels. Thus, in 1976, the Temporary Instructions for the calculation and analysis of electricity losses in electrical networks of power systems, developed by Uraltechenergo, were put into effect; in 1987, the Instructions for the calculation and analysis of technological consumption of electrical energy for transmission through electrical networks of power systems and energy associations , developed by VNIIE and Uraltechenergo, and in 2001 - Methodological recommendations for determining electrical energy losses in urban electrical networks with a voltage of 10(6) - 0.4 kV, developed by Roskommunenergo and JSC ASU Mosoblelektro.
Listed regulations played a positive role. In accordance with these documents, a fairly large number of computer programs were developed. The programs are based on almost the same methods for calculating losses. The differences between the programs consist mainly in their service capabilities, the number of loss components taken into account, the volume and number of tasks to be solved.
Most power systems and utility electrical networks, using one or another calculation program, can now relatively accurately calculate variable and semi-constant electricity losses in electrical networks of 6 - 750 kV. It is still a significant difficulty to calculate losses in 0.38 kV networks due to the large volumes of these networks and the small amount of information or its absence about the loads of these networks and their parameters (circuits, wire brands, etc.). The results of calculations for these programs almost universally show that the total technical losses in 0.38-750 kV networks do not exceed 10-12% of the electricity supplied to the network. Moreover, the higher the voltage level of the network, the lower, obviously, the relative losses of electricity in it. A level of 10-12% is considered the maximum possible for electricity losses in the electrical networks of most developed economies. Optimal losses are in the range of 4-6%. These figures are confirmed by the pre-crisis level of losses in the electrical networks of the power systems of the former USSR in the mid-late 80s of the last century.
What should energy systems do in this case, whose actual losses have reached 20-25%? As a rule, in such power systems, a significant share of the total useful supply (up to 40%) is made up of household and small-engine consumers. There are two main paths here. The first path is difficult, but correct - development, coordination with regional energy commissions, approval and practical implementation of programs to reduce technical and commercial losses of electricity. Using these programs to first slow down growth and then reduce losses in networks.
The second, easier way is to search for objective reasons for the increase in losses, justify and lobby the REC for an increase in the loss standard to the level of the actual level. The above is illustrated by a table on loss standards in the networks of some energy systems according to the data of the JSC Engineering Center UES branch of the ORGRES Firm.
These two paths fully correspond to the well-known expression: “Those who want to work look for ways to get the work done, those who don’t want or can’t look for reasons why the work can’t be done.”
Obviously, the first way is beneficial to absolutely everyone: energy supply organizations, consumers, local administrations. REC and Gosenergonadzor are also interested in this, since by reducing losses in networks, energy supply organizations increase the profitability of their work, and consumers, by reducing the cost of services for the transmission and distribution of electricity, receive a corresponding reduction in electricity tariffs. At the same time, it is clear that the practical implementation of this path requires significant organizational, technical, physical and financial efforts. Our calculations show that to reduce losses in networks by 1 million kWh per year, you need to spend about 1 million rubles. for the implementation of relevant measures. The second way is a dead end, since the more losses are included in the tariff, the higher the electricity tariff for the end consumer will be, the more incentives this consumer will have to steal electricity and the greater the likelihood of increased losses and the next increase in the standard, etc. .
The task, as we know, is facing exactly the opposite – to stop the growth of losses and achieve their reduction. At the same time, as energy surveys of power systems show, there are reserves for reducing losses both in networks with losses of 20-25% and in networks with losses of 6-8%. In order to do this practically, you need:

1. carry out a fairly in-depth calculation and analysis of losses, their structure and dynamics;
2. determine reasonable levels of regulatory losses;
3. develop, coordinate, approve, provide financial, material, human resources and implement measures to reduce losses.

Reasonable loss standard
The excess of actual losses in networks over technical ones by a factor of two or more forces, as mentioned above, both the developers of loss standardization methods and the power systems themselves to look for additional components of the loss standard.
According to the general opinion, such a component, which, in addition to technical losses, can be taken into account in the standard, is the component caused by errors in electricity metering devices. This is reflected in the Resolution of the Federal Economic Commission of the Russian Federation dated May 14, 2003 N37-E/1. However, it does not say what errors we are talking about. And there are at least three of them:

1. permissible error of the measuring complex (MC), in the general case consisting of a current transformer, voltage transformer and meter under normal operating conditions;
2. systematic error of IR (both negative and positive), due to non-standardized operating conditions for using IR;
3. systematic negative error of old induction meters that have exhausted their service life, and meters with overdue verification dates.

Taking into account the above definition of the loss standard, which follows from the requirements of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation, and based on Resolution of the Federal Energy Commission of the Russian Federation N 37-E/1 dated May 14, 2003, by the standard for electricity losses in electrical networks we mean the algebraic sum of technical losses of electricity (DWt), standard electricity consumption for the own needs of substations and the module of the value of the permissible imbalance of electricity in the electrical network (NBD), determined in accordance with the formula:
D W norm = D W t + |NB D |,
Eight years of experience in using power plants and networks in operation has confirmed the stimulating orientation of the main methodological provisions of the Standard Instructions for increasing the reliability of electricity metering systems. At the same time, the permissible imbalance of electricity in and in the above formula is considered in the practice of operating power plants and networks not as a zero mathematical expectation, but as a value that should not exceed the actual imbalance. We believe that the electrical network in this case is no exception. A legitimate way to determine systematic IR errors is through instrumental examinations in accordance with duly certified measurement techniques. Attempts to average IC errors for the country as a whole, and even without taking into account very significant factors, can lead to obvious errors. In particular, adopting a “typical value cosj = 0.85” may lead to overestimated or underestimated values ​​of negative systematic errors. It is known that at night in electric networks of 6-10 kV cosj often decreases to 0.4-0.6 due to their low load and the predominant nature of the no-load reactive current of distribution transformers. At low cosj, the negative systematic error of transformers associated with their current underload can be compensated by a positive angular error. Thus, the “new methodology” for calculating the permissible under-accounting of electricity at a minimum requires clarification, and in essence, can harm the work to reduce losses in networks, since it artificially increases the loss standard.
In our opinion, the underestimation of electricity associated with non-standardized operating conditions for the use of IR and the physical wear and tear of induction meters cannot be acceptable and be considered as a standard. In this case, all consumers will pay for this “standard” and the situation, as noted above, will only get worse, since the owners of accounting systems will not be interested in improving it. But since the current electricity metering system in Russia does not meet modern requirements and under-metering of electricity occurs, the task of reducing it should be solved differently.
The under-metering of electricity in monetary terms, adjusted taking into account various influencing factors, should be the basis for including the costs of improving electricity metering in the investment component of the electricity tariff. In this case, the REC, simultaneously with the assessment of damage to the energy supply organization from the imperfection of the electricity metering system (negative systematic errors), must submit a detailed, well-founded program for reducing losses in networks by reducing under-metering of electricity.
In this case, consumers do not simply pay for the inflated “technologically justified electricity consumption”, but, as it were, credit the work of energy supply organizations to bring the electricity metering system to regulatory requirements.

Measures to comply with the standard
For power systems in whose networks actual electricity losses amount to 20-25%, the discussion about what errors of electricity metering devices will be included in the standard, acceptable or systematic, is scholastic. Whether 0.5 or 2.5% is added to the estimated technical losses of 8-12% will not make the problem any less acute. All the same, the difference between the standard and the actual losses will be from 10 to 12%, which in monetary terms can amount to tens and hundreds of millions of rubles of direct losses per month.
To reduce these losses and bring actual losses to the standard level, a long-term loss reduction program agreed with the Regional Energy Commission is necessary, since it is practically impossible to reduce actual losses by 2 times in one or two years. 90-95% of this reduction will need to be achieved by reducing the commercial component of losses. The structure of commercial losses and measures to reduce them are discussed in.
The strategic way to reduce commercial losses is the introduction of ASKUE not only at power facilities and energy-intensive consumers, but also among household consumers, improving energy sales activities and the electricity metering system in general. Taking into account the “human factor” is very important in reducing losses. The experience of advanced power systems shows that investments in personnel training, equipping them with appropriate power theft detection devices, vehicles, computer equipment and modern communications equipment pay off by reducing losses, as a rule, faster than investments in meters or the installation of compensating devices in networks.
A very big danger for effective work to reduce losses is the separation of the electric grid and energy sales businesses in the context of energy restructuring. The planned and in some places ongoing separation of independent sales companies (NSCs) from JSC-energos may disrupt long-term connections between energy sales companies and electric grid enterprises, if at the same time mutual responsibility for losses is not ensured between future distribution grid companies (DSCs) and NSCs. Placing all responsibility for technical and commercial losses on DGC without allocating appropriate material, financial and human resources for this can sharply increase the losses of DGC and lead to an even greater increase in losses in networks. But this is a topic for another article.

Literature

1. Bokhmat I.S., Vorotnitsky V.E., Tatarinov E.P. Reducing commercial losses of electricity in electric power systems // Electric stations. –1998. – N 9. – P.53-59.
2. Resolution of the Federal Energy Commission of the Russian Federation dated March 17, 2000 N 14/10 “On approval of standards for technological consumption of electrical energy (power) for its transmission, adopted for the purposes of calculating and regulating tariffs for electrical energy (amount of payment for services for its transmission)” // Economics and electricity finance. – 2000. – N 8. – P.132-143.
3. Guidelines for calculating regulated tariffs and prices for electric (heat) energy in the retail (consumer) market. Approved Resolution of the Federal Economic Commission of the Russian Federation dated July 31, 2002 N 49-E/8.
4. Resolution of the Federal Energy Commission of the Russian Federation dated May 14, 2003 N 37-E/1 “On introducing amendments and additions to the Guidelines for calculating regulated tariffs and prices for electric (thermal) energy in the retail (consumer) market, approved by Resolution of the Federal Energy Commission of the Russian Federation dated July 31, 2002 N 49-E/8".
5. Zhelezko Yu. Rationing of technological losses of electricity in networks. New calculation methodology // Electrical engineering news. – 2003. – N 5 (23). – pp. 23-27.
6. Vorotnitsky V.E. Measurement, standardization and reduction of electricity losses in electrical networks. Problems and solutions // Collection of information materials of the international scientific and technical seminar “Rationing, analysis and reduction of electricity losses in electrical networks - 2002”. – M.: Publishing house NC ENAS, 2002.
7. Broerskaya N.A., Steinbukh G.L. On the regulation of electricity losses in electrical networks // Electric stations. – 2003. – N 4.
8. And 34-70-030-87. Instructions for calculating and analyzing the technological consumption of electrical energy for transmission through electrical networks of power systems and energy associations. – M.: SPO “Soyuztekhenergo”, 1987.
9. Instructions for rationing electricity consumption for auxiliary needs of 35-500 kV substations. – M.: SPO Soyuztekhenergo, 1981.
10. RD 34.09.101-94. Standard instructions for metering electricity during its production, transmission and distribution. – M: SPO ORGRES, 1995.
11. Vorotnitsky V., Apryatkin V. Commercial losses of electricity in electrical networks. Structure and measures to reduce // Electrical Engineering News. – 2002. – N 4 (16).

Solving the problem of electricity losses that occur on power lines and power transformers as a result of poor-quality insulation of conductive parts, the use of equipment with reactive loads, and energy theft is relevant all over the world.

Energy experts are constantly striving to correct the situation and are developing measures to minimize the difference between the indicators of electricity produced and that recorded by consumers.

Reasons for losses of electrical energy during its transportation

Regulation and accounting of all types of electricity losses is carried out at the state level with the help of adopted legislative acts. The difference in voltage, varying between 220 V and 380 V, is one of the reasons for this situation. To ensure such indicators during transportation directly from power plant generators to the end consumer, energy service employees need to lay networks with large diameter wires.

Such a task is impossible. Thick wires, the cross-section of which will correspond to the voltage parameters of electrical energy corresponding to the wishes of consumers, cannot be mounted on power lines.

Laying highways underground is an economically unprofitable and irrational activity. The large weight of the wires does not allow electrical installation work to be carried out without the risk of emergency situations and threat to the lives of workers.

To prevent losses of electricity for this reason, it was decided to use high-voltage power lines capable of transporting small electric current against the background of increased voltage, reaching values ​​of up to 10,000 Volts. In such a situation, there is no need to install wires with a large cross-section.

You can easily find detailed information on legislative acts on the Internet.

The next reason causing the loss of energy resources during their transportation to the consumer is the insufficiently efficient operation of transformers. Their installation is caused by the need to convert high voltage and bring it to the values ​​​​used in distribution networks.

Poor contact of conductors and an increase in their resistance over time aggravate the situation and also become factors that cause losses of electrical energy. Their list also needs to include increased air humidity, which causes current leakage to the corona, as well as wire insulation that does not meet the requirements of regulatory documentation.

After the energy producer delivers it to the organization that distributes it among consumers, the resulting high voltage is converted to values ​​of 6-10 kV. But this is not the final result.

Again, a stepwise voltage transformation is required to 0.4 kV, and then to the values ​​​​needed by ordinary consumers. They vary between 220 V -380 V. At this stage of operation of the transformers, energy leakage occurs again. Each model of units differs in efficiency and permissible load on it.

If the consumption power is greater or less than its calculated values, suppliers will again not be able to avoid energy losses.

Another negative point when transporting energy is the discrepancy between the operational characteristics of the transformer model used, designed to reduce the voltage in the network, with a value of 6-10 kV to 220 V, and the power consumed by consumers.

This situation leads to failure of the converting device and the inability to obtain the necessary parameters electric current at the exit. A decrease in voltage leads to malfunction of household appliances and increased energy consumption. And then her losses are recorded again.

Developing measures to eliminate such causes will help correct this situation. It will be possible to reduce losses during its transportation to the end consumer to a minimum.

Electrical leakage at home

The reasons for energy losses after passing through the end-user metering device include:

• excessive current consumption when heating conductors, which occurs when the calculated parameters of electricity consumption are exceeded;
• lack of high-quality contacts in sockets, switches, switches, sockets for installing lamps that provide artificial illumination of rooms and other switching devices;
• capacitive and inductive nature of the load on the end-user distribution network;
• use of outdated models of household appliances that consume large amounts of electricity.

Measures to reduce energy losses at home

The list of measures to eliminate energy losses in houses and apartments includes:

Useful video

You can get detailed information about methods for reducing energy losses from the video below.

LOSSES OF ELECTRICITY IN ELECTRIC NETWORKS

Electricity losses in electrical networks are the most important indicator of the efficiency of their operation, a clear indicator of the state of the electricity metering system, and the efficiency of energy sales activities of energy supply organizations.

This indicator increasingly clearly indicates accumulating problems that require urgent solutions in the development, reconstruction and technical re-equipment of electrical networks, improvement of methods and means of their operation and management, increasing the accuracy of electricity metering, the efficiency of collecting funds for electricity supplied to consumers, etc. .

According to international experts, the relative losses of electricity during its transmission and distribution in the electrical networks of most countries can be considered satisfactory if they do not exceed 4-5%. Electricity losses of 10% can be considered the maximum permissible from the point of view of the physics of electricity transmission through networks.

It is becoming increasingly obvious that the sharp aggravation of the problem of reducing electricity losses in electrical networks requires an active search for new ways to solve it, new approaches to the selection of appropriate measures, and most importantly, to the organization of work to reduce losses.

Due to a sharp reduction in investments in the development and technical re-equipment of electrical networks, in the improvement of control systems for their modes, electricity metering, a number of negative trends have emerged that negatively affect the level of losses in networks, such as: outdated equipment, physical and moral wear and tear of electricity metering devices , mismatch of installed equipment with transmitted power.

Some definitions:

Absolute losses of electricity are the difference in electricity supplied to the electrical network and usefully supplied to consumers.

Technical losses of electricity - losses caused by physical processes of transmission, distribution and transformation of electricity, are determined by calculation. Technical losses are divided into conditionally constant and variable (depending on the load).

Commercial losses of electricity are losses defined as the difference between absolute and technical losses.

STRUCTURE OF COMMERCIAL ELECTRICITY LOSSES

Ideally, commercial losses of electricity in the electrical network should be zero. It is obvious, however, that in real conditions, supply to the network, useful supply and technical losses are determined with errors. The differences in these errors are actually the structural components of commercial losses. They should be minimized as much as possible by implementing appropriate measures. If this is not possible, it is necessary to make amendments to the electricity meter readings to compensate for systematic errors in electricity measurements.

Errors in measurements of electricity supplied to the network and usefully supplied to consumers.

The error in electricity measurements in the general case can be divided into many components. Let us consider the most significant components of the errors of measuring complexes (MC), which may include: current transformer (CT), voltage transformer (VT), electricity meter (EM), ESS connection line to TN. The main components of measurement errors of electricity supplied to the network and usefully supplied electricity include:

errors in electricity measurements under normal IR operating conditions, determined by the accuracy classes of CT, VT and SE;

additional errors in electricity measurements in real operating conditions of the IR, due to:

underestimated load power factor compared to the standard (additional angular error);

influence on solar cells of magnetic and electromagnetic fields of various frequencies;

underload and overload of CTs, HP and SE;

asymmetry and level of voltage supplied to the IR;

operation of solar power in unheated rooms with unacceptably low temperatures, etc.;

insufficient sensitivity of solar cells at low loads, especially at night;

systematic errors caused by excess service life of the IC.

errors associated with incorrect connection diagrams of electricity meters, CTs and VTs, in particular, phasing violations of meter connections; errors caused by faulty electricity metering devices;

errors in taking readings from electricity meters due to: errors or deliberate distortions in recordings of readings;

non-simultaneity or failure to meet established deadlines for taking meter readings, violation of meter bypass schedules;

errors in determining the coefficients for converting meter readings into electricity.

It should be noted that with the same signs of the components of the measurement errors of supply to the network and useful supply, commercial losses will decrease, and if they are different, they will increase. This means that from the point of view of reducing commercial losses of electricity, it is necessary to pursue a coordinated technical policy to increase the accuracy of measurements of supply to the network and useful supply. In particular, if we, for example, unilaterally reduce the systematic negative measurement error (modernize the accounting system) without changing the measurement error, commercial losses will increase, which, by the way, occurs in practice.

Commercial losses caused by underestimation of useful supply due to shortcomings in energy sales activities.

These losses include two components: billing losses and losses from electricity theft.

Billing losses

This commercial component is due to: inaccuracy of data on electricity consumers, including insufficient or erroneous information on concluded contracts for the use of electricity;

errors in billing, including invoices not issued to consumers due to the lack of accurate information on them and constant monitoring of the updating of this information;

lack of control and errors in billing to customers using special rates;

lack of control and accounting of adjusted accounts, etc.

Losses from electricity theft

This is one of the most significant components of commercial losses, which is a matter of concern for energy workers in most countries of the world.

The experience of combating electricity theft in various countries is summarized by a special “Expert Group to study issues related to electricity theft and unpaid bills (non-payments)”. The group is organized within the framework of the research committee on economics and tariffs of the international organization UNIPEDE. According to a report prepared by this group in December 1998, the term "electricity theft" applies only when electricity is not accounted for or is not fully recorded due to the fault of the customer, or when the customer tampers with the meter or disrupts the electrical supply system in order to reduce the meter's metering. consumption of consumed electricity.

A generalization of international and domestic experience in combating electricity theft showed that these thefts are mainly carried out by household consumers. There are thefts of electricity carried out by industrial and commercial enterprises, but the volume of these thefts cannot be considered decisive.

Theft of electricity has a fairly clear upward trend, especially in regions with poor heat supply to consumers during the cold periods of the year. L also in almost all regions in the autumn-spring periods, when the air temperature has already dropped significantly, and the heating has not yet been turned on.

There are three main groups of methods of electricity theft:mechanical, electrical, magnetic.

Mechanical methods of electricity theft

Mechanical interference with the operation (mechanical opening) of the meter, which can take various forms, including:

drilling holes in the bottom of the case, cover or glass of the meter; insert (in hole) various items such as 35 mm wide film, needle, etc. in order to stop the rotation of the disk or reset the counter;

moving the counter from a normal vertical to a semi-horizontal position in order to reduce the speed of rotation of the disk;

unauthorized breaking of seals, violation of the alignment of the axes of mechanisms (gears) to prevent complete recording of electricity consumption;

Mechanical interference usually leaves a mark on the meter, but it is difficult to detect unless the meter is completely cleaned of dust and dirt and inspected by an experienced technician.

The mechanical method of stealing electricity includes, quite widespread in Russia, deliberate damage to solar cells by household consumers or theft of meters installed on staircases. residential buildings. As the analysis showed, the dynamics of deliberate destruction and theft of meters practically coincides with the onset of cold weather with insufficient heating of apartments. In this case, the destruction and theft of meters should be considered as a unique form of protest by the population against the inability of local administrations to provide normal living conditions. The worsening situation with heat supply to the population inevitably leads to an increase in commercial losses of electricity, which is already confirmed by the sad experience of the Far Eastern and some Siberian energy systems.

Electrical methods of electricity theft

The most common electrical method of theft of electricity in Russia is the so-called “surge” on an overhead line made with bare wire. The following methods are also widely used:

load current phase inversion;

the use of various types of “unwinders” for partial or complete compensation of the load current with a change in its phase;

shunting the meter's current circuit - installing so-called “short circuits”; grounding the neutral load wire;

violation of the alternation of phase and neutral wires in a network with a grounded neutral of the supply transformer.

If the meters are switched on via measuring transformers, the following can also be used: disconnecting the CT current circuits, replacing normal VT fuses with blown ones, etc.

Magnetic methods of energy theft

The use of magnets on the outside of the meter may affect its performance. In particular, when using older types of induction counters, it is possible to slow down the rotation of the disk using a magnet. Currently, manufacturers are trying to protect new types of meters from the influence of magnetic fields. Therefore, this method of electricity theft is becoming increasingly limited.

Other methods of electricity theft

There are a number of methods of theft of electricity of purely Russian origin, for example, theft due to the frequent change of owners of a particular company with the permanent re-issuance of contracts for the supply of electricity. In this case, energy sales are not able to keep track of the change in owners and receive payment for electricity from them.

Commercial losses of electricity due to the presence of ownerless consumers

Crisis phenomena in the country, the emergence of new joint-stock companies have led to the fact that in most energy systems in last years Residential buildings, dormitories, and entire residential communities have appeared and have existed for quite some time, which are not on the balance sheet of any organizations. Residents do not pay anyone for electricity and heat supplied to these houses. Attempts by energy systems to disconnect defaulters are not yielding results, as residents are again connecting to the grid without permission. The electrical installations of these houses are not maintained by anyone; their technical condition threatens accidents and does not ensure the safety of life and property of citizens.

Commercial losses caused by non-simultaneity of payments for electricity by household consumers - the so-called “seasonal component”.

9 simple and effective ways to save energy

1. Use energy-efficient lighting

The most basic way to save light is to replace conventional incandescent lamps with energy-saving ones. Recently, in addition to the more common fluorescent ones with low mercury content, new ones have appeared on the market . They have some advantages - higher mechanical strength due to the absence of brittle glass flask and tungsten filaments, durability and independence from frequent switching. The only drawback LED lamps– this is a high price, but over time they become significantly cheaper.

2. When leaving the room, turn off the lights

It is also one of the simplest methods for saving energy, which for some reason we neglect. If your memory is not very good, write a reminder note and post it in a visible place near the exit. Over time, this will develop into a lasting habit.

3. Follow the instructions supplied with your household appliances and monitor their condition

For example, periodically descale an electric kettle: hard layers of salts on the inner walls of the device create high thermal resistance, which significantly reduces operating efficiency heating element and accordingly increases its energy consumption.

Also, if you place the refrigerator next to a heat source, electricity consumption can increase several times, since the device will have to work in forced mode to maintain the set temperature. Freezer on glassed balcony will bring more benefits than in a warm kitchen, where one refrigerator is enough, which, in turn, needs to be defrosted in a timely manner and the dust wiped off the heat exchanger on the back wall.

4. Redecorate your home

“Simple” cosmetic repairs will also help save energy. Simple manipulations, such as gluing light wallpaper and painting ceilings in light colors, will allow your room to reflect up to eighty percent sun rays. The darker the material, the less light it reflects, which means more electricity will be needed to illuminate rooms with dark interiors. Also, make the most of natural light.

5. Wipe off dust from light bulbs

One of the effective options for saving electricity in an apartment includes a simple procedure for cleaning light bulbs. Few people take this recommendation seriously, since it is much easier to replace a dim light source with a more powerful one. And in vain - since you need to keep in mind that dust can “absorb” up to 20% of the light from the lamp. In addition, do not forget about cleaning the shades of chandeliers and lamps.

6. Use heat reflectors (thermal mirrors)

A fairly large amount of electricity is consumed by heating devices used during the cold season. For example, heat-reflecting screens for batteries made of foamed polyethylene (environmentally friendly polyethylene foam backed with lavsan or polypropylene metallized film) will help reduce wasted heat and energy losses. This will help raise the room temperature by several degrees, and excess heat will not be transferred to the walls and through them to the street.

7. Use a two-zone meter to pay differentiated tariffs

In Ukraine, the electricity tariff at night (from 23.00 to 7.00) is two times lower than during the day. Therefore, those who work at night or simply prefer to sleep during the day, by installing a two-tariff meter, can not only save money on electricity bills, but also reduce the likelihood of emergency blackouts. Unfortunately, the diftariff system is not popular, and many simply do not know about its existence. You can read more about diftariffs and the transition to them in .

8. Buy household appliances with energy consumption class “A” and higher

Energy efficiency - from A to G. Class A has the lowest energy consumption, G is the least efficient. Most modern household products, light bulb packaging and even cars must have an EU energy efficiency label. More economical equipment is usually marked with a green label. Energy-saving appliances consume much less energy than other equipment. Moreover, the difference can sometimes be up to fifty percent. In addition, today there is equipment of class A + and A ++. Accordingly, its energy-saving capabilities are even higher.

9. Insulate your apartment/house/room

Also one of the most effective methods. In addition to all of the above, you can save energy by taking simple measures to insulate the room. First, insulate the windows and seal all the cracks, and ideally, replace outdated double-glazed windows with higher-quality plastic ones, preferably with energy-saving glass. It is known that up to 50% of heat can be lost through windows. Also, in winter, it is better to hang warm, thick night curtains on the windows, as well as insulate the entrance doors and balcony (loggia); you should also think about insulating the floors in the room.

Insulate the facade of your house or apartment. This will also significantly reduce the “load” on the electric meter, since effectively increasing the thermal insulation capacity of walls and eliminating the so-called “cold bridges” will not only allow you to consume less electricity for heating in winter, but will also keep you cool in the winter. summer time. Can be used as a heat-insulating material mineral wool or polystyrene foam.

The transmission of electricity through wires in electrical systems is associated with losses of active and reactive power and energy. Electricity losses associated with its transmission and distribution consist of two main components - electricity losses in power lines, generators, transformers and other elements of the electrical system and the so-called commercial (non-technical) losses caused by imperfect systems for accounting and monitoring the use of electricity.

Actual (reported) electricity losses is the difference between the electricity supplied to the network and the electricity supplied from the network to consumers, determined according to the data from the system for accounting for the receipt and useful supply of electricity. These losses include components of a different nature: losses in network elements that are purely physical in nature, electricity consumption for the operation of equipment installed at substations and ensuring the transmission of electricity, errors in recording electricity by metering devices and, finally, theft of electricity by influencing meters, non-payment or incomplete payment of meter readings, etc.

The division of electricity losses can be carried out into various categories: by the nature of losses (constant, variable), voltage classes, groups of elements, production departments, etc. For the purpose of normalizing losses, it is advisable to use an enlarged structure of electricity losses, in which they are divided into components based on from their physical nature and the specificity of methods for determining their quantitative values. Based on this approach, actual losses can be divided into four components:

• technical losses of electricity, caused by physical processes in wires and electrical equipment that occur during the transmission of electricity through electrical networks and are expressed in the conversion of part of the electricity into heat in network elements. Technical losses cannot be measured. Their values ​​can only be obtained by calculation based on the known laws of electrical engineering;
• electricity consumption for substations’ own needs necessary to ensure operation technological equipment substations and the life activity of service personnel, determined by the readings of meters installed on the auxiliary transformers of substations of 35 kV and above;
• losses of electricity caused by instrumental errors in its measurement (instrumental losses) - underestimation of electricity due to the technical (metrological) characteristics and operating modes of instruments used to measure energy at the facility (current and voltage transformers of the electricity meters themselves). These losses are obtained by calculation; the calculation of metrological losses includes all devices for metering the supply of electricity from the network, including devices for metering electricity consumption for the auxiliary needs of substations;
• commercial losses consist of losses caused by theft of electricity, discrepancies between meter readings and electricity payments and other reasons in the area of ​​organizing control over energy consumption. Commercial losses do not have an independent mathematical description and, therefore, cannot be calculated autonomously. Their value is determined as the difference between actual (reported) losses and the sum of the first three components.

Let us note that it is not science that forces us to determine the structure of losses (for scientific research all approaches make sense), and economics. Therefore, economic criteria should be applied to analyze reported losses. From an economic point of view, losses are that part of the electricity for which the registered useful supply to consumers turned out to be less than the electricity received by the network from electricity producers. The useful supply of electricity means not only the electricity cash for which they actually went to the current account of the energy supply organization, but also the one for which the bills were issued, i.e. when energy consumption was recorded. Billing is a practice applied to legal entities whose energy consumption is recorded on a monthly basis. In contrast, monthly meter readings that record residential energy consumption are usually unknown. The useful supply of electricity to residential subscribers is determined by the payment received for the month, so all unpaid energy automatically falls into losses.

The balance of electricity can be represented as follows:

Where Wp- electricity supplied to the network; W no- useful electricity supplied to consumers; AW TexH- technical losses of electricity; AW CM- part of the energy spent on production and internal needs of energy systems; 5 W K0M- commercial losses of electricity.

Technical energy losses are usually divided into load and no-load losses. No-load losses include constant (conditionally constant) no-load losses of electrical equipment, corona of power lines, etc. They change slightly when the element load changes. Load losses are the part of losses that depends on the load of the element.

According to data in 2005, the level of losses in electrical networks in Russia was 13.15% of supply to the network; in 2011, this figure dropped to 8.7%. This value characterizes the operating efficiency and technical condition of networks, so it is interesting to compare it with the indicators of other countries presented in Fig. 1.1. The smallest losses of 4.1-5.5% are characterized by the Netherlands, Germany, Finland, South Korea, Japan and the USA, which is a consequence technical solutions and targeted policies.

As domestic and foreign experience shows, crisis phenomena in general and in the energy sector in particular have a negative impact on losses in electrical networks, which in a number of countries (Fig. 1.1) exceed 20%. A low standard of living is a consequence of the low level of economic development and, accordingly, the lack of funds necessary to restore order. There are no funds to install modern metering devices. There are no funds for decent wages for energy sales inspectors, and there is not enough investment in network infrastructure. There are understandable motives for the population, which is extremely strapped for material resources, to try to save on electricity bills. In Kalmykia, for example, losses exceed 30%; in Sakhalin, losses are more than 30%.

Rice. 1.1.

According to international experts, the relative losses of electricity during its transmission and distribution are considered satisfactory (optimal) if they do not exceed 4-5%. In international practice, it is generally accepted that if electricity losses in transmission and distribution networks exceed 8-9% in total, then such transmission and distribution of electricity is unprofitable due to the additional consumption of millions of tons of fuel to compensate for electricity losses, increased retail tariffs, and increased prices. for industrial and agricultural products, as well as due to additional load on the networks, reduction in the quality of electricity in terms of voltage, etc. Losses of 10% can be considered the maximum permissible from the standpoint of the physics of the process of transmitting electricity through networks for most countries with developed economies.