Implementation of a systematic distribution transformer load management in Taipower

The practice of transformer load management (TLM) in Taipower to determine the daily power profile and the peak loading of distribution transformers by integration of customer information systems (CISs) such as, automated mapping/facilities management/geographic information system and load survey system is presented. The load survey study is conducted by selecting 672 customers for installation of digital power meters to measure the customer power consumption within 15 min intervals. The typical load patterns of low-voltage residential, commercial and industrial customer classes are derived by executing statistic analysis of power consumption of test customers. A narrow-band power line carrier-based identifier is developed to identify all of the customers served by each distribution transformer. The hourly power consumption of each customer is determined by allocating the monthly energy consumption according to the typical load pattern of the corresponding customer class. The peak loading of each distribution transformer is then estimated by integrating the power consumption of all customers served. The overloading flags and peak loading levels of all transformers are then displayed on the digital mapping system. The TLM program proposed in this study has effectively assisted Taipower distribution engineers to identify the potentially overloading transformers for load reduction to mitigate the transformer damage during the hot summer season.