Impact of Prosumer integration at 15kV Busbar of distribution substations in City of Kigali (Case study Nzove and Gahanga substations

Abstract

The increasing global emphasis on Renewable energy has catalyzed the integration of distributed energy resources into national grid with prosumers (individuals or entities that can both consume and produce energy) emerging as key players in this transition[1]. This thesis explores the impact of prosumer integration on the grid in Rwanda for 15kV Bus of Nzove and Gahanga distribution Substations in Kigali as case study, a country striving to improve electricity access to all cells by 2029 through sustainable energy solutions.[2] This thesis is structured for three specific objectives that are to assess the current configuration of distribution substations within City of Kigali, to propose the integration of prosumers at distribution substations to enhance loading status of power transformers at these Substations and the overall performance of the grid to support the increment of customer connection and lastly, analyze the Impact of Prosumers integrated at 15kV busbar for the above said selected distribution substations. This thesis aims to provide network awareness configuration in City of Kigali at Distribution Substation level, propose strategic prosumer integration to enhance loading status of Power transformers and voltage level at Kigali distribution substations and visual scenario of loading status of power transformer at distribution substation and line voltage at sending end once prosumer is integrated for that specific substation using DigSilent Power Factory software. Results show that Prosumer integration improve a lot of grid performance and provide an opportunity to increase the costumer connectivity and reduce burden of government in energy investment as big customer can locally produce to their need and export the surplus for others to use