Optimizing electrical distribution systems

Electrical utility distribution systems are in the middle of an unprecedented technological revolution in planning, design, maintenance and operation. The prime movers of the revolution are the major economic shifts that affect decision making. The major economic influence on the revolution is the cost of losses (technical and nontechnical). The vehicle of the revolution is the computer, which enables decision makers to examine alternatives in greater depth and detail than their predecessors could. The more important elements of the technological revolution are: system planning, computers, load forecasting, analytical systems (primary systems, transformers and secondary systems), system losses and coming technology. The paper is directed towards the rather unique problems encountered by engineers of utilities in developing countries - problems that are being solved through high technology, such as the recent World Bank-financed engineering computer system for Sri Lanka. This system includes a DEC computer, digitizer, plotter and engineering software to model the distribution system via a digitizer, analyse the system and plot single-line diagrams. (author). 1 ref., 4 tabs., 6 figs