Thesis (M.Ing. (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Thesis (M.Ing. (Electrical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

This thesis is concerned with the implementation of a proposed Energy Hub Management System (EHMS) mathematical model for residential appliances under Time of Use (TOU) based electricity rate structure. The objective is to shift the residential electrical energy consumption during periods of high grid energy demand to low demand periods subject to operational constraints. The customer benefits from reduced daily energy consumption and consequent reduction to its cost with minimal effect on the comfort level. Two scheduling periods are considered simultaneously. The first is a 24-interval schedule with one-hour time steps for appliances such as a dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer. The second is a 96-interval schedule with 15-minute time steps for other appliances such as refrigerator, freezer and water heater. Each appliance has been modeled as a discrete time linear dynamic system and the objective of this thesis is to make these models work in a real world situation by determining realistic estimations of the model parameters and constants. It is vital to properly calculate the mathematical model parameters as they have direct impact on the results. Minor modifications to some domestic appliance models were proposed to make the practical implementation easier. It was found that while some parameters in the mathematical model can be easily calculated based on thermodynamic equations, other parameters are hard to be calculated; therefore, a practical procedure was proposed to measure these parameters. An experiment on a small refrigerator was carried out to validate the refrigerator mathematical model and parameters measurement procedure. The resulting model is a mixed integer linear problem (MILP) and was solved using GNU Linear Programming Kit (GLPK) freeware solver. The performance of GLPK was found to be satisfactory as compared to the commercial solver CPLEX, and was particularly suitable for practical and commercial implementations.

This project is focused on the presentation of the Namibia Zero Order Stations, including the descriptions of the 21 stations across the country and to create information site for Directorate of Survey and Mapping in Namibia. The main reason for the implementation of web site is for the distribution of information and data to domestic and international clients. Most of the materials and information used in this project were available in digital format. Some information was collected from Directorate of Survey and Mapping of Namibia, Swedesurvey of Sweden, and Asci of Sweden as well as from the internet and library facilities. As such it was very important to analyse and display geo-spatial data before creating web site. The computer makes it possible to create a link between filed documents, maps, graphic documents and other related information using hyperlinking. Therefore the computer made the world easier to communicate and mapping via internet.

This thesis is concerned with the implementation of a proposed Energy Hub Management System (EHMS) mathematical model for residential appliances under Time of Use (TOU) based electricity rate structure. The objective is to shift the residential electrical energy consumption during periods of high grid energy demand to low demand periods subject to operational constraints. The customer benefits from reduced daily energy consumption and consequent reduction to its cost with minimal effect on the comfort level. Two scheduling periods are considered simultaneously. The first is a 24-interval schedule with one-hour time steps for appliances such as a dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer. The second is a 96-interval schedule with 15-minute time steps for other appliances such as refrigerator, freezer and water heater. Each appliance has been modeled as a discrete time linear dynamic system and the objective of this thesis is to make these models work in a real world situation by determining realistic estimations of the model parameters and constants. It is vital to properly calculate the mathematical model parameters as they have direct impact on the results. Minor modifications to some domestic appliance models were proposed to make the practical implementation easier. It was found that while some parameters in the mathematical model can be easily calculated based on thermodynamic equations, other parameters are hard to be calculated; therefore, a practical procedure was proposed to measure these parameters. An experiment on a small refrigerator was carried out to validate the refrigerator mathematical model and parameters measurement procedure. The resulting model is a mixed integer linear problem (MILP) and was solved using GNU Linear Programming Kit (GLPK) freeware solver. The performance of GLPK was found to be satisfactory as compared to the commercial solver CPLEX, and was particularly suitable for practical and commercial implementations.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) provides updates of diagnostic criteria and it is crucial that clinicians from all relevant fields are aware of new terminology. Music therapists are increasingly being added to interdisciplinary teams and need to efficiently communicate with other professionals. This study aimed to discover if current music therapy students are familiar with the DSM-5 before they enter their professional practice. Music therapy students from two American Music Therapy Association-approved universities completed a survey aimed to assess their use and knowledge of the DSM-5. A total of 58 participants were included in the analysis. Findings from the survey revealed that seniors had a higher level of knowledge of the DSM-5 and referred to it in their courses more so than freshmen and sophomores. However, a high rate of students indicated that they did not discuss the DSM enough in their music therapy courses, non-music therapy courses, and clinical experiences. If more universities were sampled in future studies, educational programs could closely examine the preparedness of music therapy students with regards to DSM training and then make curriculum modifications as needed.

The continual increase in electrical energy demand in South Africa has resulted in a precariously low reserve margin in supply from the primary utility, Eskom. This resulted in extensive load shedding throughout the country. Far-reaching measures had to be introduced in order to ensure a reliable supply of electricity. DSM interventions were shown to be very successful short term solutions for the mining industry, reducing the strain on the national grid. This resulted in an increasing number of investigations to broaden the base of DSM projects to other industries. One such intervention was the Usutu-Vaal water distribution scheme, situated near Standerton, South Africa. This scheme includes the Grootdraai, Tutuka, Grootfontein, Rietfontein and Naauwpoort pumping stations. With a combined installed capacity of 36.5MW and the extremely large water storage capacities, these pump stations have been identified as prime candidates for DSM interventions. This dissertation discusses the method followed for a DSM project intervention and the results of the implementation. The national grid was relieved by an average of 12.3 MW during the Eskom weekday peak period, by shifting the pumping load into the off-peak periods. Simulations have shown that an annual financial saving of approximately R4.7million may be expected. / Thesis (MIng (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The continual increase in electrical energy demand in South Africa has resulted in a precariously low reserve margin in supply from the primary utility, Eskom. This resulted in extensive load shedding throughout the country. Far-reaching measures had to be introduced in order to ensure a reliable supply of electricity. DSM interventions were shown to be very successful short term solutions for the mining industry, reducing the strain on the national grid. This resulted in an increasing number of investigations to broaden the base of DSM projects to other industries. One such intervention was the Usutu-Vaal water distribution scheme, situated near Standerton, South Africa. This scheme includes the Grootdraai, Tutuka, Grootfontein, Rietfontein and Naauwpoort pumping stations. With a combined installed capacity of 36.5MW and the extremely large water storage capacities, these pump stations have been identified as prime candidates for DSM interventions. This dissertation discusses the method followed for a DSM project intervention and the results of the implementation. The national grid was relieved by an average of 12.3 MW during the Eskom weekday peak period, by shifting the pumping load into the off-peak periods. Simulations have shown that an annual financial saving of approximately R4.7million may be expected. / Thesis (MIng (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

In this study a new tool was developed that made new approaches possible for the successful implementation of Demand Side Management (DSM) projects. The new approaches are incorporated into a generic tool that makes it possible for Energy Services Companies (ESCos) to undertake DSM projects that were previously not possible with currently available technology. Through these new approaches, maximum results can be obtained on a sustainable basis on the clear water pumping systems of South African mines. The author was responsible and participated in four different investigations and implementations of DSM projects. These were grouped into three case studies. Each of these studies required different new innovations. The innovations described in this thesis include the adaptation of the Real-time Energy Management System (REMS) that was developed and marketed by HVAC International, to mines with intricate pumping systems, mines without any instrumentation and control infrastructure, as well as to mines that make use of a Three Pipe Water Pumping System. The tool developed and applied in these projects was part of Eskom's DSM programme. In this programme, large electricity clients who wish to shift electrical load out of peak periods, are assisted by having the total costs of such projects funded by Eskom. The fact that the clients will most likely enjoy substantial electricity cost savings, (by not having to pay the high peak prices), is a major attraction of this programme. Nevertheless, the programme is not moving as fast as it should. The National Energy Regulator (NER) has set an annual target of 153 MW load to be shifted since 2003. By the end of 2005, the accumulated target load to be shifted will be 459 MW. However, Eskom has indicated that an accumulated total of only 181 MW load will have been shifted by the end of 2005. This means that the Eskom DSM programme has actually only achieved 39% of its target. The innovations described in this thesis will help ESCos to address this shortfall more effectively / Thesis (Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006