Impact of Shrubbery in Rural Transmission and Distribution Networks

Power and Energy System, PES, researches have been exploring the impact of vegetation growth, along the T&D networks, on system losses and have published their analytical findings in various forums. The analysis and approach have undergone a sea change, with the advent of new finite element, FEM, based analysis techniques introduced recently. The new tools are able to improve accuracy of predictions many folds. Attempt has been made here in this paper to estimate percent increase in Transmission & Distribution (T&D) losses for a charged medium voltage distribution line. The model utilizes parameters of a 11kV, three-phase distribution feeder, PCC poles, metallic cross-arms and 160kN pin insulators. A pole span of 100 meters is considered for subject simulation. The FEM based simulation and study clearly indicates increase in system losses for vegetation in vicinity of line. The system performance also alters for proportionate change in line parameters.