Deploying many solutions to reduce power loss

With the goal of reducing average power loss to below 2.77%, Ha Nam Power Company (PC Ha Nam) has implemented many solutions such as investing in upgrading grid infrastructure, clearing safety corridors, preventing under-loading, replacing electric meters, rebalancing phases... With this approach, not only does it reduce power loss but it also improves the quality of electricity services for customers.

In 2023, the electricity loss rate by commodity of PC Ha Nam reached 2.78%, lower than the plan assigned by the Northern Power Corporation by 0.3%. Of which, the 110kV grid loss rate reached 0.57%, lower than the same period in 2022 by 0.01% and achieved the plan assigned by the Corporation; the medium voltage grid loss rate reached 1.83%, down 0.17% compared to the same period in 2022 and lower than the plan assigned by the Corporation by 0.15%; the low voltage grid loss rate reached 4.1%, down 0.15% compared to the same period in 2022 and achieved the plan assigned by the Corporation.

To achieve the above results, PC Ha Nam has focused on investing in upgrading the grid, gradually digitizing power management. Specifically, up to now, the company is managing and operating 37 110kV lines with a total length of 343.22 km, 24 110kV transformer stations with a total capacity of 1,934.5 MVA, of which 13 110kV stations are assets of PC Ha Nam. Currently, there are 13 110kV substations fully connected with SCADA signals to the Remote Control Center (RCC) according to the regulations of the Electricity Regulatory Authority. All 110kV substations are connected by two fiber optic transmission channels to the RCC. Connecting SCADA to medium voltage switching devices and operating the SCADA TTĐKX system has brought about significant results such as saving operational management manpower, shortening operating time, improving the reliability of power supply to customers, improving customer satisfaction with the electricity industry and reducing power loss. Implementing digital transformation during grid operation, PC Ha Nam has put 12 110kV substations into remote unmanned operation mode. In addition, the 110kV substations are also connected to each other by double circuit, if there is a power outage or incident at one station, another station will immediately supply power.

**PC Ha Nam workers install overload-proof substation in Duy Tien town.** Photo: Tran Thoan

In addition, to reduce power loss, PC Ha Nam also implements many solutions such as: Regularly investing in upgrading the technical infrastructure of medium and low voltage power grids, clearing the grid safety corridor, reconnecting contact points, balancing phases; replacing mechanical meters with electronic meters; rotating transformers to avoid underload; strengthening grid operation management; ensuring that substations do not operate at capacity; and promoting customers to use electricity economically and effectively.

Mr. Luu Dai Nghia, Director of Phu Ly Power Company, said: With the characteristics of a large power supply area and many scattered customers. To improve the quality of power sources and reduce power losses, the unit regularly surveys customers' electricity needs every year, proposes investment plans, converts substations to prevent underload and overload; focuses on upgrading the grid, strengthening technical management solutions, and improving customer service quality. In addition, the City Power Company also directs its subordinate teams to regularly monitor the load status of high-voltage and medium-voltage lines, installs a remote measurement system for the total meter of public substations, serving the management of power losses and remote monitoring of substation operating parameters; at the same time, identifies overloaded lines with high losses to develop timely treatment plans. On that basis, analyze and evaluate the monthly loss reduction results for each line and substation to take measures such as organizing phase balancing, load balancing of substations, cleaning and upgrading the grid.

In 2024, Ha Nam PC strives to reduce power loss to below 2.77% and complete the planning targets assigned by the Northern Power Corporation. To complete the above plan, Ha Nam PC regularly inspects the grid, uses high-tech equipment to detect grid failures, focuses on periodic industrial cleaning, repairs and connects equipment and lines, installs automatic circuit breakers; arranges the capacity of substations to serve industrial production customers and residential customers, in which the average stations and lines carry less than 80% of their capacity; maintains voltage within the allowable high limit according to current regulations and the equipment's tolerance. Checks and maintains the grid in good operating condition.

Conduct grid maintenance inspections to ensure technical standards for operation. Implement technical management to prevent incidents. For customers with specialized substations whose load is seasonal, the electricity sales business unit will mobilize and persuade customers to install additional transformers with appropriate small capacity to serve the needs of customers. Gradually eliminate unreliable, inefficient, high-loss equipment with new high-efficiency, low-loss equipment (especially for transformers)... striving to complete the set plan.

Tran Huu

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