Why was the T&D loss assessment changed to AT&C loss determination in distribution? Hence explain the term AT&C loss.

The shift from assessing Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses to determining Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses in distribution occurred to provide a more comprehensive and accurate measure of overall losses in the distribution network. T&D losses primarily focused on technical losses incurred during the transmission and distribution of electricity due to factors such as resistance in conductors and transformers. However, it did not account for losses due to theft, billing inefficiencies, or commercial factors, which are also significant contributors to overall losses in distribution systems.

Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) loss determination addresses this limitation by considering both technical losses (caused by the physical properties of the distribution system) and commercial losses (resulting from non-technical factors such as theft, metering errors, and billing inefficiencies). By incorporating commercial losses into the assessment, AT&C loss determination provides a more holistic view of overall losses in the distribution network, enabling utilities to identify and address all factors contributing to energy loss and revenue leakage.

AT&C loss is a measure of the total losses incurred in the distribution of electricity from the point of generation to the point of consumption, encompassing both technical and commercial losses. It is calculated as the percentage difference between the energy injected into the distribution system (input) and the energy billed to consumers (output), taking into account losses due to transmission, distribution, theft, metering inaccuracies, and other commercial factors.

Mathematically, AT&C loss (%) = (Total Input Energy – Total Billed Energy) / Total Input Energy * 100

AT&C loss determination plays a crucial role in assessing the efficiency and performance of distribution utilities, guiding efforts to reduce losses, improve revenue collection, and enhance overall operational efficiency. By accurately quantifying both technical and commercial losses, utilities can implement targeted strategies and investments to minimize losses, optimize revenue realization, and ensure the sustainability of the distribution network.