Comparative analysis of electrical energy loss structure in the distribution network complex of Russia

Abstract

The amount of expenditures for the distribution network complex directly influences the cost of electrical energy. One category of expenses is the payment for losses of electrical energy during transportation. To minimize distribution network complex costs, reducing electrical energy losses is a viable approach. To effectively decrease the amount of electrical energy losses, the structure of the distribution network complex and its losses, the expenses of network organizations for loss payments, as well as the required gross revenue since 2014 were examined. In the Russian distribution network complex, 97% of the networks consist of 6-10 kV and 0.4 kV lines; 3% are 35 kV lines, and 2% are 110 kV lines. The lines of 6-10 kV and 0.4 kV categories permit the highest amount of losses compared to other categories - at a level of 10%. Comparative analysis of the structure of electrical energy losses was conducted including the calculation of the specific cost per 1% loss, as well as the proportion of loss payments relative to the gross revenue requirement over the period since 2014. It was found that over the entire period, electrical energy sales decreased by 13.7%, while the share of expenses for loss payments in the distribution network complex remained approximately 31% and showed little variation during the study period. The losses decreased from 8.5% to 8.1% over the study period which was not significant, whereas the specific cost per 1% loss consistently increased. A hypothesis was proposed that the increase in loss costs was caused by inflation. To test this hypothesis, all monetary indices were adjusted to 2014 prices using deflator indices. The results revealed that the specific cost of purchasing electrical energy losses changed insignificantly over the studied period.