Minimisation of distribution network real power losses using a smart grid active network management system

Network losses in electrical power delivery systems contribute, in-directly, to carbon emissions. Global and national carbon reduction programmes are crucial to meeting obligatory targets. In the UK, the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) recognise the impact of distribution network power losses and offer incentives to operators to reduce emissions through the published Distribution Price Control Reviews (DPCR). With this increasing pressure upon distribution network operators (DNOs), the development of loss minimisation tools for the purpose of real time evaluation and control strategies for loss reduction could add value over the traditional methods used. This paper will build upon the research carried out within the Autonomous Regional Active Network Management System (AuRA-NMS) project with the scope of implementing a distribution network real power loss management algorithm. Results from development and integration, within a closed loop simulation environment on commercially available substation computing hardware, are presented.