Technical analysis mitigation of electricity theft for domestic and commercial end users

Abstract

Utility services are experiencing common problem of power losses, which impose a big impact on their annual budget. Practically, power losses consist of technical losses and non-technical losses. Technical losses are due to operations and ageing of infrastructure, while non-technical losses (NTL) are due to non-metered energy. The focus is on managing non-technical losses using an automation wireless method. The wireless ZigBee technique is proposed and further investigated for communication failure over long distances, while solving the problem of stealing of electricity. Advance-metering infrastructure (AMI) technique and smart meters are feasible for system integration that is why they are chosen to be part of this study. The success of the study depends on quality data of the Utility, meaning the more accurate the data, the easier the analysis of outliers. The operation and planning of revenue protection contains large amount of data that needs to be worked on, so data mining assist in that regard. Then the load profiling method assist in illustrating the variation in demand/electrical load over a specific time. The wireless communication technique will be used as a viable solution in curbing electricity theft. The uniqueness of the proposed ZigBee system is that it recognizes the common act of stealing electricity through tempering with the meter box and tapping of the supply. The survey and the pilot project was utilized to achieve the goal of the study. The survey conducted is in tandem with the objective of the thesis. The research questions that were developed and tested provided a proven percentage score of positive responses to the questionnaire. Though some respondents were dodgy because they were still happy with the fact that they were still indulging in theft of electricity, therefore, they saw the thesis as an avenue to rob them of freedom to continue the pilferage of electricity without any legal penalties imposed on them. The cost associated with energy losses that are caused by illegal electricity connections will decrease by upgrading the infrastructure, installing the ZigBee technique, and by giving attention to the communication system and its problems. The wellness and workshops need to be conducted so that communities at least once a month will learn the basics of the danger associated with connecting electricity illegally. The pilot project also showed good results, whereby the cost of 3000 units (meters) piloted expense was R8.5Million but the return on investment was R24Million.The proposed ZigBee technique is feasible, and will improve revenue of the Utilities.