Overview

The Energy Workbench Smart Load Plugin allows load data for distribution transformers stored in the Energy Workbench to be used for running load flow studies with the SINCAL “Smart Load Flow” module.

The load data is generated in the Energy Workbench (EWB) by aggregating consumer AMI meter data against each distribution transformer in the system. At least 2 years of continuous historical daily load data is available for use.

This user guide describes how to install and use the Smart Load Plugin.

Advantages of Using the “Smart Load Flow” Module

The traditional approach used to set up a load flow study in SINCAL is to use nameplate ratings for distribution transformers, and “load manipulation” to create normalised maximum demand values for each transformer.

Load Manipulation involves using feeder currents from SCADA on a Maximum Demand (MD) day to work out a target current at the start of the feeder for a load flow study, and the nameplate rating of each distribution transformer to provide the relative load contribution.

All loads on the feeder are scaled down by the same amount until the MD reported by SCADA is reached. This scaling may also be applied from other telemetry points along the feeder to provide better accuracy.

This process can take some time to complete, as several iterations of load manipulation may need to be attempted before the required feeder MD current is achieved in the load flow study.

Also, this method does not take into account different actual loads on the transformers – the nameplate rating is not always a good indication of the actual load on the transformer.

Finally, the load manipulation method only gives a single, MD solution, and does not take into account variability of load profiles over a day.

The Smart Load method uses AMI data that has been aggregated to the transformer for the load data input, and provides multiple solutions over one or more days. This reduces the set-up time needed for load manipulation, uses actual load data, and provides load flow studies for multiple time slots in the day – improving the accuracy of the studies, reducing the time taken to create a baseline study and providing new insights into load patterns.

Assumptions

The following instructions assume:

1. For installation:
   1. You have administrator access to your PC to install the software, or
   2. You can ask the help desk to elevate your privileges, or
   3. The Smart Load Plugin is available in your organisations “application store”.
2. You are familiar with using SINCAL.
3. The Energy Workbench server has been installed within your corporate networks, and is accessible from your desktop machine.