ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses how electric load “looks” when measured and recorded at the distribution level. Load behavior at the distribution level is dominated by individual appliance characteristics and coincidence-the fact that all customers do not demand their peak use of electricity at precisely the same time. For this reason alone, accurate load studies on the distribution system require considerable care. In addition, proper measurement and modeling of distribution loads can be quite difficult for a variety of reasons related to how coincidence phenomena interact with load metering and numerical analysis methods. Successful analysis of load data at the distribution level requires procedures different from those than typically used at the system level. This chapter addresses the reasons why and the measurement and analytical methods needed to accurately represent and handle distribution load curve data.
