The Impact of Reduced Non-technical Distribution Losses on GHG Emissions by Implementing Advanced Metering Infrastructure

Abstract

The distribution losses in the electrical system demonstrate the reliability and efficacy of the network in providing electricity to the customers. The PLN Statistical Report 2022 stated that 20,236 GWh of electricity became losses at PLN’s distribution network across Indonesia. Not only causing the financial disadvantage, but these losses are also believed to have an adverse effect on the environment since they raise the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions because energy losses need to be compensated. Thus, various initiatives are conducted to improve the performance of distribution network system, including in Bali. In attempt to minimize losses, PLN Bali Distribution Unit has gradually implemented Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) technology throughout 2023. This research is supposed to examine the impact of the AMI installation on the value of losses and GHG emissions. Our findings suggest that AMI technology has a positive impact on non-technical losses but an insignificant impact on total losses, defying the widely held belief that it can notably reduce losses. The environmental impact then can be quantified by converting the losses value to GHG emissions.