Study urges phased smart-grid upgrades to Dhaka electricity network in Bangladesh

A study using operational data from Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited says the utility could improve the reliability and efficiency of its electricity distribution network by modernizing it feeder by feeder instead of pursuing costly systemwide replacement.

Researchers Md Mijanur Rahman, Md Saiful Islam Saif, Md Abdus Salim, and Md Alamgir Hossain analyzed electricity feeder loads, consumer data, transformer records, and geographic information system data in Uttara Sector 13, covering 8,090 consumers. They found Uttara West had the highest load factor at 82.8%, while Shah Makdhum and Gareeb-E-Newaj showed greater fluctuations and lower utilization.

“Such imbalance reduces operational efficiency, increases technical stress on network assets, and complicates long-term planning,” Rahman, Saif, Salim, and Hossain wrote.

The researchers recommend prioritizing Shah Makdhum and Gareeb-E-Newaj for demand response, automation, and peak shaving, followed by GA North and Sector 13. Uttara West is proposed as a pilot advanced smart feeder.

The study has not yet been peer reviewed. The researchers also cautioned that the rankings are indicative because detailed 24-hour analysis covered only one feeder on one representative day.