Performance Analysis of the Tau-Value Method for Loss Allocation in Radial and Weakly Meshed Distribution Networks

Subject Areas : Electrical and Computer Engineering

mohammad Bayat ¹ , Mahyar Abasi ² , Masoud Aghabiglo ³ , Ali Asghar Ghadimi ⁴

1 -
2 - Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Arak University, Arak 38156-8-8349, Iran
3 - Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Arak University, Arak, Iran
4 - Electrical Engineering, Department, Faculty of Engineering, Arak University

Received: 2025-03-26 Accepted : 2025-05-21 Published : 2025-07-03

Keywords: Distributed generation, Fair loss allocation, Radial distribution network, Tau-value method, Weakly meshed network,

Abstract :

In modern power distribution networks, traditional methods of allocating losses among participants are becoming inadequate due to the rise of distributed generation and the need for fair loss allocation. This paper investigates the tau-value method for allocating losses resulting from the connection of new consumers and producers in radial and weakly meshed networks. The results show that this method, with its low computational volume and high efficiency, is a suitable tool for loss allocation in restructured networks. It was also found that placing consumers in weakly meshed networks and producers in radial networks is economically and technically preferable. However, the tau-value method imposes stricter loss allocation on consumers, which is due to the initial allocation of losses among consumers. Despite this limitation, this method can be used as an efficient tool in competitive electricity markets. This study demonstrates that the network structure has significant losses are allocated, and that the appropriate placement of producers and consumers can lead to reduced losses and improved network efficiency. Furthermore, the use of game theory-based methods such as the tau-value can contribute to fairer loss allocation and create healthy competition in the electricity market.

References:

[1] M. Atanasovski and R. Taleski, “Power summation method for loss allocation in radial distribution networks with DG,” IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, vol. 26, no. 4, 2011, doi: 10.1109/TPWRS.2011.2153216.
[2] A. J. Conejo, J. M. Arroyo, N. Alguacil, and A. L. Guijarro, “Transmission Loss Allocation: A Comparison of Different Practical Algorithms,” 2002. doi: 10.1109/MPER.2002.4312201.
[3] E. Carpaneto, G. Chicco, and J. S. Akilimali, “Branch current decomposition method for loss allocation in radial distribution systems with distributed generation,” IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, vol. 21, no. 3, 2006, doi: 10.1109/TPWRS.2006.876684.
[4] Y. P. Molina, R. B. Prada, and O. R. Saavedra, “Complex losses allocation to generators and loads based on circuit theory and aumann-shapley method,” IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, vol. 25, no. 4, 2010, doi: 10.1109/TPWRS.2010.2044425.
[5] S. Sharma and A. R. Abhyankar, “Loss Allocation for Weakly Meshed Distribution System Using Analytical Formulation of Shapley Value,” IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, vol. 32, no. 2, 2017, doi: 10.1109/TPWRS.2016.2571980.
[6] A. P. Hota, S. Mishra, and D. P. Mishra, “Active power loss allocation in radial distribution networks with different load models and DGs,” Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 205, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.epsr.2021.107764.
[7] J. Mutale, G. Strbac, S. Curcic, and N. Jenkins, “Allocation of losses in distribution systems with embedded generation,” IEE Proceedings: Generation, Transmission and Distribution, vol. 147, no. 1, 2000, doi: 10.1049/ip-gtd:20000003.
[8] A. J. Conejo, F. D. Galiana, and I. Kockar, “Z-bus loss allocation,” IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, vol. 16, no. 1, 2001, doi: 10.1109/59.910787.
[9] A. Parastar, B. Mozafari, A. Pirayesh, and H. Omidi, “Transmission loss allocation through modified Z-bus,” in Energy Conversion and Management, 2011. doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2010.07.055.
[10] J. Zhao, S. Du, Y. Dong, J. Su, and Y. Xia, “A bidirectional loss allocation method for active distributed network based on Virtual Contribution Theory,” International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, vol. 153, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.ijepes.2023.109349.
[11] I. Bhand, S. Debbarma, and S. D. Roy, “Loss Allocation in Distribution Network involving Peer-To-Peer Energy Transactions,” in 4th International Conference on Energy, Power, and Environment, ICEPE 2022, 2022. doi: 10.1109/ICEPE55035.2022.9798075.
[12] W. Tao, H. Chen, L. Chen, and S. Chen, “An arbitrary segmentation method for loss allocation in power grids with distributed generation,” International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, vol. 164, p. 110436, Mar. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.ijepes.2024.110436.
[13] A. S. Abdelkader, I. I. Mansy, and A. A. Eladl, “Distribution System Losses Allocation Based on Circuit Theory with Distributed Generation,” Mansoura Engineering Journal, vol. 49, no. 5, Jan. 2024, doi: 10.58491/2735-4202.3224.
[14] D. Bharti, “Loss allocation method for microgrids having variable generation,” in Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, 2021. doi: 10.1007/978-981-16-0749-3_8.