RELIABILITY EVALUATION OF 33KV FEEDERS EMANATING FROM BENIN METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Abstract

The Nigerian Power System Network is presently characterized by poor reliability with respect to customer’s uncertainty with respect to how long the electric power supplied can last before they are put on load-shedding or otherwise. In this study, therefore, data was collated from the daily operational log books of the seven feeders; GRA, Koko, Guinness, Swichstation, Ikpobadam, Etete and Nekpenekpen emanating from the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Benin City, Nigeria. The reliability indices have been calculated sequentially using the Load Point Indices (LPI) and also on the Electrical Transient Analyzer Programme (ETAP 12.6)and the results interpreted graphically on the MATLAB 2013 environment and spreadsheet. Mathematical models have been developed for the
feeders using the curve fitting tool in the MATLAB (2013) environment and corresponding Simulink models developed from the mathematical models. The results from the study showed that GRA feeder has the highest reliability of 97.8% while the duo of Koko and Guinness feeders have the lowest reliabilities thereby making them the weak links in the network. The result further shows a
deviation from the world and the Average System Availability Index (ASAI) Reliability and Availability standard an indication that the feeders needs to be optimized for a better productivity.