A Statistical Study of the Electric Load Distribution in some areas of the Benin Municipality, Edo state, Nigeria

Abstract

The electric utility industry is probably the largest and the most complex in the world. Absence of electricity for long periods causes discomfort and hampers productivity. It is also a known fact that electricity consumption has become a parameter by which the standard of living as well as the level of industrialization of nations is measured. This research work is therefore carried out to determine the correlation of the peak loads between the feeders supplying the distribution substations in order to make sound interpretation on the variations of the peak load between them. A research design was carried out base on peak load (PL) data for five (5) different feeders supplying within Benin distribution zone of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) of Nigeria. The data used in this research work were monthly records on electricity supply having the highest peak load dealing on transmission stations; the monthly record was obtained for the period of two years (May 2000- May 2002) on a 5 point areas. The collected data was analyzed using the correlation analysis. Pearson rule was applied to bring out the square matrix of 5 x 24 data matrix into 5 x 5 matrixes. Also one way ANOVA was integrated. Computation of sum of squares of sources of variation for these two design matrix (morning peak load and evening peak load) was carried out using Fisher-Yates algorithm. The results analysis revealed that load consumption among the substations follow similar pattern. This simply shows that load distributions as well as power outages in Benin City appear to be the same. Besides, relatively high correlation of 0.9 was obtained for industries area in Benin such as UNIBEN, UBTH, COLBEN, Psychiatric Hospital, etc., positioned in the Guinness Axis and this revealed that preference is given to industrial area of Benin metropolis.