Analysis of distribution losses and life cycle CO2 emissions

This paper presents calculations of distribution network losses at different voltage levels in E.ON Central Networks, a UK distribution network operator. Losses in a distribution network can be reduced by using a larger conductor size thus reducing the I²R losses. The drawback of this approach is that more conductor material is needed, which in turn has an adverse impact on energy consumption due to production and transport resulting in increased carbon emissions. The life cycle CO2 impact of increasing the conductor size of a cable is quantified in this study by taking into account the so-called ‘embodied carbon value’ of materials used in a cable. The calculation results indicate that there is an effect of diminishing returns when the cable utilisation (peak load current over rated current) becomes extremely low, but if the cable utilisation before the considered upgrades is above about 10% then there is a positive net impact on the life cycle CO2 emission.