2022 International Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering and Medical Sciences (ICETEMS)
GIS based Asset Management in Electrical
Distribution Utilities
2022 International Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering and Medical Sciences (ICETEMS) | 978-1-6654-6112-2/22/$31.00 ©2022 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/ICETEMS56252.2022.10093288
Foolchand Ahirwar
Electrical Engineering Department
Yeshwantrao Chavan College of
Engineering Nagpur, India-441110
foolchand.ahirwar1985@gmail.com
Abstract—Geographical Information System (GIS) is the system
through which all the information can be gathered about the
distribution system. Reformation information can be gathered
from remote place about distribution network using geo
coordinates. Asset management and consumer indexing are the
main functionality of the distribution utilities. Currently
distribution system faced challenges about the revenue collection,
monitoring and controlling the distribution due to limited access
during CORONA-19 pandemic. IT based infrastructure of all
electrical equipment’s and other assets through GIS helps to
organize the workflow with less human resource requirement. This
paper represents the effective implementation of GIS in the
distribution utility for developing the strategical road map for
fixing the accountability and achieve the analytical targets. It can
be inferred that implementation of GIS in distribution system plays
a vital role in planning, improvement in billing, revenue collection,
proper asset management. GIS also helps in curtailing power loss
by restructuring the distribution network in optimal manner.
Keywords- Accelerated Power Development and Reform Program
(APDRP), Demand-side Energy Management (DEM), Distribution
company (DISCOM), Geographic Coordinate System (GCS),
Geographical Information System (GIS), Global Positioning Satellite
(GPS).
I. INTRODUCTION
Now a days, after Electricity Act 2003 implementation from
2003 onwards, electric power is provided to the consumers
mainly by the utilities known as Distribution company
(DISCOM). DISCOM is responsible to supply the power to the
consumers within their predefined territory in a safe and
efficient manner. In most of the DISCOMs, proper mechanism
is not available to locate all the assets and consumers under the
Supply Division in the proper manner. For proper asset
management it is necessary to define and tagged all the assets.
Adopting the technique of Geographical Information System
(GIS) in the respective Supply Division is the easier
methodology to access and analyze the total asset and consumer
database to supply the power to the particular distributor
division.
Normally, the transmission utility grid substation will
supply the electric power at 132 or 66 kV to the distribution
utility. Distribution utility then reduce the voltage level to 33
kV through their Distribution or switching substation. The same
power will be further drop down by the distribution or switching
substation to 11 kV and 11 kV Supply will be then forwarded
through the feeders/distributors via Distribution transformers to
the consumer supply point through the Corresponding LT
network. However due to rapid urbanization and population
978-1-6654-6112-2/22/$31.00 ©2022 IEEE
Authorized licensed use limited to: UNIVERSITY TENAGA NASIONAL. Downloaded on May 02,2023 at 08:46:06 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
Ravindra Moharil
Electrical Engineering Department
Yeshwantrao Chavan College of
Engineering Nagpur, India -441110
rmm_ycce_ep@yahoo.com
orcid.id :0000-0002-1440-6744.
growth, the Demand side Energy Management (DEM) in the
distribution utilities gets very complex and congested. It is very
difficult for the utility field officials and even the lineman to
identify the particular network from consumer details for O&M
related works.
M. V. Krishna Rao et al. in their paper explained about the
process of power flow and load flow analysis by using GIS in
electrical distribution utilities [1]. X.Li et al. explained about
the graphical designing of network using GIS [2]. C.W. Ten et
al. explained the different topologies and integration of GIS
data with Common Information Model (CIM) and Supervisory
Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software [3]. X. Li et
al. mentioned about the operation of distribution transfer in
different states of loads with the help of GIS [4]. Editors
referred ESRI products and their applications in electrical
domain, customization and interpretation of GIS architecture
feasibility in electrical Domain [5]. DIgSILENT powerfactory
software is used for Power system monitoring and their
integration with GIS for power management [6]. Billinton and
Singh, have explained about the power system reliability
parameters to calculate the reliability indices [7]. V.Casteren, et
al. explained the distribution power system reliability
parameters to calculate the various distribution level (HL-III)
reliability indices for both frequency and duration such as
SAIFI, CAIFI, SAIDI, CAIDI [8]. Chaurasia and Thakur
described how to use GIS for indexing of consumers and their
implementation in distribution utilities [9]. Ministry of Power
(MoP), Government of India has announced various schemes
for improvement of distribution network such as Accelerated
Power Development and Reform Program (APDRP),
Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reform
Program (R-APDRP), Infra, Deendayal Upadhyay Gramin
Jyoti Yojna (DDUGJY), Ujjwal DISCOM Assurance Yojna
(UDAY)[10]. Phoenix IT Solution-utility Service/Consumer
Indexing Services referred the asset management using IT
enable services in electrical Distribution utilities [11]. S. Vahedi
et al. presented approach for analyzing a raster map in GIS to
perform substation expansion planning on large scale [12]. M.
Mehrtash et al. used GIS for feeder route problem using graph-
based model for the resilient feeder [13]. J. Fang et al. in their
paper gave GIS based application in Distribution Management
System (DMS) and automatic mapping is presented [14]. I.
Suryawati et al. obtained solution for smart grid on the power
flow management. Authors presented load flow algorithm and
GIS for online management [15].
Current electrical distribution utility has limited monitoring
and maintenance planning. This paper explains the
methodology to overcome these limitations like updating
customer details, maintaining database of consumers, hundred
337
percent billing and better collecting efficiency. Use of GIS for
maintaining customer data further helps in reducing losses,
maintain the parameters within limits.
II. RELEVANCE OF GIS IN DISTRIBUTION
SYSTEM
Ministry of Power (MoP), Govt. of India has already introduced
the technique of GIS to be implement in all electrical utilities in
India. In their first program of APDRP program, ministry has
announced several new IT enable services in the year 2005.
Initially it was adopted in some limited areas (Town
demarcation under urban areas) only. In this program
distribution utilities made the distribution sector IT enable and
accessible, but due to lack of technology awareness and skilled
resources the program gets failed and not able to obtain the
expected outputs from APDRP program.
In year 2009, MoP has revamped the scheme under R-
APDRP. Several changes were made in the scheme so as in GIS
also and same were implemented by the utilities till date. After
go-live, the data was uploaded in their production server till
2015 or 2016 in some utilities and still under process in
remaining utilities also. Regular updates and modifications in
the data is necessary otherwise the the becomes old and will not
be useful for future planning due to rapid urbanization and
population growth.
III. METHODOLOGY
To start the GIS implementation first it is required to make the
arrangement of satellite image. This satellite image will be
helpful for further process. Geo referencing based on the
satellite image can be panned for the ground collection point
(GCP), after collection of sample points through Differential
Global Positioning System (DGPS) survey. Once reception of
satellite imagery the image get process through image
processing so that the unwanted errors can remove, and image
gets cleaned.
Fig. 1. Steps in implementation of GIS
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The primary survey gets started along with the back-end
activity of Land base creation so that the Land base data get
ready for the network survey as the Land base is the reference
data for the network and consumer survey through GPS
device.
Further the network and consumer survey get started at the
selected town as describe in the process, the methodology of
survey and creation of there respective digitized design as per
pre-defined scheme get migrated in the GIS system for the
results and conclusion. And the final data will deliver to the
utility for verification and approval so that the utility officers
can furnish further analysis. Selection of AOI (area of interest)
based on the administrative boundary of subdivision to be
covered by the utility so that all the assets get covered.
Fig. 1, presents the steps to be followed while implementing
the GIS.
All major, streets/ roads, buildings, water bodies, vegetation
etc are captured at this stage. Satellite Picture: High Resolution
Satellite pictures are procured for the utility license area.
• GPS Survey: Global Positioning System is used for
taking ground control points required for geo
referencing and ortho- rectification.
• Digitization: Geo-referenced image then digitized for
extracting land base features as per data model.
• Field Survey: Extensive field survey is then
conducted for capturing left over features and
respective attributes.
• Quality Assurance: At every step the quality checks
and respective assurance parameters are established
for ensuring data quality.
IV. APPRAISAL OF DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
IN PROJECT AREA
Considering a pilot area for project demarcation is keeping in
view for implementing the GIS based Asset Management we
consider Chakradharpur Town under Jharkhand territory in
India for implementing GIS. The DISCOM, Jharkhand Bijlee
Vitaran Nigam Limited (JBVNL) is distributing the power in
the Chakradharpur. Table I represents the details of distribution
division under consideration for case study.
Table I Details of GIS based station for Case Study
Town Sub- Substation Feeder DTC
Name Division
Chakradhar Chakradhar Chakradhar Railway 22
pur pur pur
Town 69
Fig. 2. Raster Satellite Image
Fig. 2, shows the Raster Satellite image of Chakradharpur. The aborting the analysis during asset management. Fig. 5, is
primary input Data was collected from the Utility officers and representing the digitization of network survey data for
same has been surveyed through GPS Device to incorporate in Chakradharpur, mentioning all the details of the actual
GIS system for asset management. electrical network.

A. Land base Digitization.

Fig. 3, represents the conversion of raster satellite image into

vector form for the Digitized Geo data. Digitization can be
done by considering all the parameters to be captured by
converting the raster image into the vector form all the features
under consideration. When the digitization gets completed, the
attribute of same get incorporated into the feature class.
Fig. 2 represents the Raster satellite image of the case study site
Chakradharpur. Fig. 3 shows the land base digitization. Object
oriented vector data model is helpful for showing the features of
the real-world object. This database in GIS is known as spatial
database or sometimes it is recognized as geodatabase. This
database is useful for obtaining the model of real world objects
and their interrelationships.
Arc map environment and arc catalog are used to enter
the data in the corresponding tables. Before doing the further
analysis data entry done is to be saved as arc map for data enter
into the geodatabase. Now the layers are to be digitized, later on Fig. 4. Network Survey Methodology
non-spatial data attributes are added for digitized data. Spatial
themes which contains geographic information is linked with the
attribute table for future usage.

Fig. 5. Digitization of Network Survey Data (Outer view)

Fig. 3. Screenshot of Land-base Digitization through GIS tool
B. Survey of Electrical Network.
Survey data will contain all information related to the network
starting from the grid substation to the supply connected to
consumer, starting from the 66 or 33 kV Grid substation to the
Distribution substation connected through overhead line or
underground cable all the technical details get captured by
using the high accuracy GPS device to avoid the coordinate
fluctuation. Fig. 4 represents the network survey topology.
Feeders Originated from Distribution substation was
also survey in the same manner so that all the details of pole,
towers, line, cable and connected DTC over the particular
feeder get captured and incorporated in the GIS Database. All
technical attributes of Poles, Line, Cable and DTC will be
captured in such a way that so the analysis can be furnished
without any error, variation in field data and survey data may
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C. Processing of Survey data Into GIS System
There are many applications and software available in market
to process the GPS Survey data into the GIS system like Arc
GIS, GE Small world and Q GIS. The data can be customized
as per the need and requirements of analysis, having both the
application to work into the open-source mode or intra source
mode.
There are 3 Main Features which are used in the GIS system
are Polygon, line and point through which we will digitize our
data, A Feature is a single entity in GIS that has Both geometry
and attribute. Fig. 6 represents the location of each customer in
the distribution network with the representation of features in
the distribution network.
Finally, the Digitized Survey data will merge with the
Digitized Network data so that Network analysis get easier to
access the Land base along with the network.

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Fig. 6. Digitization of Network Data (Inner View) & (symbols used)
Fig. 7. Interlaid of Network and Land base
Fig. 7, represents the combination of land base and electrical
network. Integrating the network survey data into the GIS
system resulting to provide not only the read only access as
well as the editable feature, so that in future if the infrastructure
changes under repair and maintenance or augmentations made
in the electrical network by the utility it can be easily editable
as per changes done in the field network and access to get
updated details of all the assets to the viewer. Fig. 8 and 9,
represents the current scenario of electrification and how the
attribution of electrical features are represented in the software.
Fig. 8. Current scenario of electrified area
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Fig. 9. Attribution of Electrical features available on click on an asset
V. RESULTS
All the asset details gathered during the survey and same
will migrated in the GIS system can onboarded for remote
access by the utility, the technical information collected
through the survey will helps the utility for asset management
as the technical information of substation, HT, LT network and
transformers details are available with the utility can identify
the network and associated network condition.
OBJECTID * Ancil ary Role Location Code X Location Code Y Capacity HighVoltageSideVolts(KV) HT Protection LowVoltageSideVolts(KV) LT Protection Transformer Mounting PhaseDesignation
3442None 357959.8474 2508403.415200 KVA 11 KV Isolator+Fuse 0.433 KV Fuse Tri pole RYB
3448None 357958.8278 2508402.32200 KVA 11 KV Isolator+Fuse 0.433 KV Fuse Tri pole RYB
3460None 357935.2363 2508444.435100 KVA 11 KV Isolator+Fuse 0.433 KV Fuse Double Pole RYB
Fig. 10. Screenshot of Asset Management using GIS tool
Fig. 10, represents the asset management using GIS for the
Chakradharpur. After this assessment, if the fault occurs in the
feeder, then it is easier for the utility officer to trace the
network configuration with the other feeder using Fig. 9, to
operate the sectionalizing switches so that affected customer
may have the supply available through another route.
Similarly, the maintenance and operational works get
easier as the utility have the information about the condition of
the assets like Distribution Transformers, Potential
Transformers, Current Transformers, Vacuum Circuit Breaker
and control panels. Performance analysis helps for future
planning to either upgrade or abolished the assets to overcome
the technical losses, by replacing the aged devices with the new
device to improve on the performance and reliability of the
distribution network.
VI. CONCLUSION
There is a need of Implementing GIS in all the
DISCOMs to make their functionality and working culture in an
upgrading mode. GIS tool provide the digital access to the
utility for monitoring and accessing the information remotely.
DISCOMs can easily approach to the consumer and network by
following the path of land base.
GIS is an end-to-end service providing tool which
helps the utility to integrate with their other modules like
Consumer relationship management (CRM), Network analysis
(NA), Network data management (NDM), Meter data
acquisition system (MDAS) by integrating the data with all
modules the GIS will gives the desired outcomes for calculation
of load flow analysis, power flow analysis, Energy audit,
reduction in technical and commercial losses.
The major significance of GIS tool are as follows: -
• Reduction in the multiple surveys while doing the new
electrical installation in the existing network.
• With GIS detailed information about assets will be
available which can be used for future infrastructure
management in better manner.
• If GIS based asset information is available, DISCOMs
can provide the higher reliability without additional
investments in components by obtaining the faster
recovery from outages.
• GIS helps in faster location of fault, isolation of faulted
area, planning of new feeders/distributors with least
distance.
• GIS helps to implement the project with least cost.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Authors are thankful to authorities of Jharkhand Bijlee Vitaran
Nigam Limited (JBVNL) for providing the necessary
information for this research. Authors are also thankful to
Ceinsys Tech Ltd., Nagpur and Yeshwantrao Chavan College
of Engineering, Nagpur for granting permission to publish the
work on the Geotagging of Distribution network.
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