Feasibility Assessment of Urban Electricity Distribution Networks Transition to the Voltage Level of 20 kV
The article gives a feasibility assessment for increasing a voltage level of the urban electricity distribution networks from 6 and 10 kV to 20 kV.The emphasis is on the urban electricity distribution network in Moscow. It is noted that by now the reliability, efficiency and automation indicators of Moscow electrical grids are substantially lower than those of Europe, America, etc. The electrical grids in Moscow have a high wear and tear of equipment, a historically developed non-optimal structure, and a high loading level. In recent years, the situation has been significantly improved due to numerous government programs for the development of the electric power industry.It was noted that the high rate of development in Moscow resulted in a significantly increasing density of power loads. So modernisation of grids is a necessary-and-proper step to deliver electric power of good quality and in appropriate volume to all consumers. As the most promising option of such modernisation, the article’s proposal is to increase a voltage level of the electrical grid of medium voltage from 6 and 10 kV to 20 kV.The main advantages of the electrical grid transition to the higher voltage level is an increased power grid capacity and reduced losses of voltage and electric power when transmitting through the electrical grid elements. The article presents some calculations to prove decreasing several times losses in medium voltage cable lines. The shortcoming of the transition to an electrical grid of 20 / 0.4 kV is significant implementation costs, most of which will lead to increasing tariff for consumers.The experience of other countries examined in the article proves that increasing voltage level of the distribution network in Moscow and other megacities is expedient. At the same time, a gradual introduction of 20 / 0.4 kV substations to the electrical grid structure with a gradual unloading and elimination of 10 kV electrical grid elements is expected. The article appeals to successful experience available in the transition of large industrial enterprises to a voltage level of 20 / 0.4 kV.