Automated Disbursement and Load Shedding of Grid Electricity in Enugu State, Nigeria based on Local Government area Classification Algorithm

Abstract

Nigeria at present does not meet her electrical energy demand. With low energy generation, an efficient energy allocation method should be used to ensure that every community in Nigeria enjoys electricity supply at least for few hours on daily basis. This paper explores the effect of automated distribution and load shedding using a Local Government Area (LGA) classification algorithm in Enugu State. Enugu State is one the 36 states in Nigeria. For Enugu State, with a population of 4,411,119, the total daily power demand based on 126 kW/H per capita consumption is approximately 1,546.71 MWH. On March 20th, 2020, Enugu State received 676.40 MWH out of 3,382.02 MWH supplied to Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC). This translated to a power deficit of 870.31 MWH for Enugu State on this day. Automated power disbursement and load shedding using Regional Classification showed that Enugu State could still power its Commercial LGAs from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., and its Residential LGAs from 12 a.m. - 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. - 12 a.m. This would eliminate the need for and the cost of alternative sources of electricity. In conclusion, the algorithm ensures the maximal optimization of the electricity available for distribution within a given region, and would limit the effect of insufficient power generation on every citizen in that region.