Load modelling for medium voltage SWER distribution networks

The supply of electricity to customers dispersed across wide geographical areas using the single wire earth return (SWER) distribution system has been adopted in many rural areas in Australia. This network system is the most economically practical method of supplying continuous power to scattered rural customers. With the increased demand for high power devices such as air conditioners and periodic events such as pumping, as well as the use of long and high impedance feeders, it becomes difficult to maintain good voltage regulation on these networks. Modelling of electrical networks is an important aspect of network analysis. However, current models for SWER networks do not reflect the conditions and voltage drops expected on the actual networks. The use of customer energy data and load diversity rules, in load allocation procedure, provides an opportunity to develop significantly more accurate models. The case studies of the Mistake Creek North and Stanage Bay SWER networks in Central Queensland show a significant improvement in the accuracy of the developed models reflecting the actual network performance.