Since 1994, with many of its sanctions lifted, South Africa became a stronger economic power house in Africa leading the continent‘s industrial output and mineral production and generating a large proportion of Africa‘s electricity. The South African economy has since been growing at a fast pace which has also led to an increase in the demand for electricity. South Africa‘s generating capacity has remained constant through a consistently increasing demand, leading to an electricity shortfall. An immediate threat to South Africa‘s continued economic growth is a capacity constraint in terms of energy supply. Increasing economic growth coupled with the rapid industrialisation and mass electrification programme of the last decade, as well as planned and unplanned maintenance and coal stock pile problems led, in January 2008, to demand out stripping supply. With electricity being an important component of economic development, it is vital that the impact of the supply of electricity on the economic growth of the country be well understood. Currently few studies have been done on the analysis of this relationship in South Africa specifically and how this relationship impacts specific sectors of the economy that contributes to the total GDP of the country. This study has assumed rigorous application of Granger technique with proper statistical verification of assumptions, selection of relevant variables and provides trusted statistical forecasts. In an attempt to understand this relationship, an Econometric model has been developed to assess the impact of electricity supply and price on the economic growth of South Africa. In the empirical analysis section of this study it was found that with a forecast for GDP, past values of electricity prices and coal sales may be used to forecast electricity supply. It was also found that if we have a forecast value of future electricity price we can use past values of electricity supply and coal sales to forecast GDP for the next quarter. We also found that electricity supply is granger caused by GDP; electricity price; and total coal sales. And that economic growth is granger caused by electricity supply; electricity price; and total coal sales. It was concluded that in order for government to improve the economic growth of South Africa, a major focus on the energy industry is needed to ensure sustainable supply capacity. The energy sector, as was shown in the study, has a major impact in the functioning of the Gross Domestic Product of the country.

Master's thesis designs a device for monitoring of electric energy consumption with ability to send measured data wirelessly using ZigBee technology. Theoretical part describes basic principles for measuring electric power and energy and also a possibility of digital measurement. Thesis provides short overview of already existing solutions for electric consumption measurement available on the market as well. Further the ZigBee standard is described together with one of its software implementations named BitCloud from Atmel Corporation. Design of the device deals with the selection of suitable integrated circuit for the consumption measurement and optimal voltage and current sensors. Then also its connection with the wireless module named ZigBee using SPI bus, power supply for the entire device and also the design of PCB. There is also a firmware implementation for the designed device based on BitCloud. Description of the firmware together with calibration process implemented is also part of the thesis. Finally, basic device testing and packet analysis of communication between designed device and ZigBee network coordinator is described.

In 1982, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), a marketer of hydroelectric power in the Pacific Northwest, found itself in a new role which required it to acquire power resources needed to meet the demands of the region's utilities. In particular, it had to deal with the Washington Public Power Supply System's nuclear plant cost escalations. In response, BPA prepared its first independent regional power forecast. The forecast development process was intricate and multidimensional and involved a variety of interested parties. Application of the Multiple Perspective Concept uncovers strengths and weaknesses in this process by illuminating its technical, organizational and personal dimensions. Examination of the forecast from the technical perspective revealed an elaborate set of interlinked models used to develop baseline, high, and low forecasts. The organizational perspective revealed BPA to be in a transitional stage. Internally, ratemaking, forecasting, conservation, resource acquisition, and financial management swelled as new organizational functions. Interorganizationally, environmentalists, ratepayer groups, and the region's utilities all had strong interests in the decision regarding WPPSS plants. The personal perspective revealed that each of the Administrators heading BPA since the early 1980s defined the agency's approach to the resource planning problem differently, first as an engineering problem, then as a political problem, and, finally, as a business problem. Taken together, the Multiple Perspectives yielded the following conclusions about BPA's 1982 forecast. (1) BPA's range forecast constituted a major improvement over the point forecasts preceding it, but left important classes of uncertainty unexplored. (2) BPA's models were better suited to address rate and conservation issues important at the time of the 1982 forecast than their predecessors. The model of the national economy, however, remained a black box, potentially significant feedbacks were not represented, and the sheer size of the modeling system placed practical limits on its use. (3) A stronger method of dealing with forecast uncertainty is needed which utilizes a disaster-avoidance strategy and plans for high impact/low probability events. This method need not involve the use of large models, but should incorporate qualitative insights from persons normally outside the technical sphere.

No description available.

The design, simulation and evaluation of an intelligent and integrated load management system is presented in this dissertation. The objective of this research was to apply modern computer and communication technology to influence customer use of electricity in ways that would produce desired changes in the utility's load shape. Peak clipping (reduction of peak load) using direct load control is the primary application of this research. The prototype computerized communication and control package developed during this work has demonstrated the feasibility of this concept. The load management system consists of a network of computers, data and graphics terminals, controllers, modems and other communication hardware, and the necessary software. The network of interactive computers divides the responsibility of monitoring of meteorological data, electric load, and performing other functions. These functions include: data collection, processing and archiving, load forecasting, load modeling, information display and alarm processing. Each of these functions requires a certain amount of intelligence depending on the sophistication and complication of that function. Also, a high level of reliability has been provided to each function to guarantee an uninterrupted operation of the system. A full scale simulation of this concept was carried out in the laboratory using five microcomputers and the necessary communication hardware. An important and integral part of the research effort is the development of the short-term load forecast, load models and the decision support system using rule-based algorithms and expert systems. Each of these functions has shown the ability to produce more accurate results compared to classical techniques while at the same time requiring much less computing time and historical data. Development of these functions has made the use of microcomputers for constructing an integrated load management system possible and practical. Also, these functions can be applied for other applications in the electric utility industry and maintain their importance and contribution. In addition to that, the use of rule-based algorithms and expert systems promises to yield significant benefits in using microcomputers in the load management area. / Ph. D.

The electric power policies in Nigeria and South Africa are considered the governments’ intention to provide quality and affordable electricity to the people. A comparative study on the electric power policies focuses on the similarities and differences in the policy approaches, the policy issues that affect electrification, and the impact of the policy issues in achieving the goal of universal access to quality and affordable electricity power in both countries. The methodological approach allows for an in depth textual study on the electric power policy documents in both countries. In Nigeria, the government intends to address the massive demand-supply imbalance and achieve the goal of electrification through reforms that focus on private sector-led growth in the sub-sector. In South Africa, the identification of electrification as a public problem by the post apartheid government leads to an integrated policy framework that focuses on balancing economic concerns with social and environmental considerations. The study identifies electricity provision as a social welfare responsibility of the governments in both countries and examines the policy issues in the context of public welfare. In Nigeria, the policy issues are found to be self serving and not in line with sustainable public interest, given the socio-economic challenges. As a result they, exert less impact on achieving the goal of universal access to quality and affordable electricity in the country. In South Africa, good governance in the sub-sector has enabled the identification of policy issues in line with sustainable public interests of social equity, poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability; and government using public administration agencies to play a key role in service delivery. Recommendations of the study mainly derive from the South African experience on electrification, and are intended to offer some policy-lessons to Nigeria in the sub-sector. The study contributes to new knowledge in the discipline of public administration by opening up new vistas for a comparative analysis of electric power policy issues in both countries in the context of public welfare. Besides, a comparative study on electrification in Nigeria and South Africa from a policy angle contributes to the existing knowledge base in the discipline.

M.A. (Environmental Management) / The Small Micro Medium Enterprise (SMME) sector plays a critical role in the economy of South Africa by reducing poverty and providing employment. South Africa has about 6 million SMMEs that employ more than 61% of citizens and contribute about 37% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The growth and development of the sector over the years has however been compromised and threatened by the shortage of electricity and increasing electricity tariffs. Whereas large companies can manage to afford the adoption of energy efficiency measures in order to reduce energy costs, SMMEs have limited resources and may therefore struggle to afford energy efficiency adoption. However, there is a lack of scientific documentation about energy efficiency adoption amongst manufacturing SMMEs (M-SMMEs) in South Africa. The purpose of the research is to therefore assess the state of energy efficiency adoption amongst M-SMMEs, despite the challenges they experience. To achieve this research goal, the study surveyed and characterised the extent of energy efficiency adoption and also unveiled the drivers and barriers to energy efficiency adoption. Data were collected by means of surveys, making use of questionnaires. A sample of 30 firms was selected for the research. Almost all (96%) firms perceived EE as an opportunity. However, only 50% had adopted EE measures. Key drivers to adoption included the motive to reduce production costs, mitigate the impact of increasing electricity prices, gain competitive advantage and payback period. The gap between EE perception and adoption was caused by several barriers like the lack of finance, skills and time. Among non-adopters, 60% indicated their willingness to be trained in EE. The study therefore recommends improved capacity building through workshops for M-SMMEs.

M.Com. (Economics) / The objective of the thesis was to examine the relationship between the grade of ore, physical electricity consumption and working cost in the South African gold mining industry for the period 1965 - 1982. The South African economy is heavily dependent on the gold mining industry, which is a major earner of foreign exchange and a large consumer of labour and agricultural and industrial output. The industry is also important as a source of finance for both the private sector and the Treasury. Curtailment of activity within the industry by closing down the more marginal mines or by shortening the life of the industry' as a whole because of rising costs and/or a hesitant gold price, will harm the South African economy in a number of ways. The industry has no option but to regard the gold price as given. The remaining ore reserves tend to be of a lower grade and/or to be found at greater depth. Controlling the working costs would seem to be almost the only option open to the industry.

Submitted by Joana Azevedo (joanad@id.uff.br) on 2017-08-21T13:46:14Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissert ORLANDO AUGUSTO V GONÇALVES.pdf: 2493028 bytes, checksum: 739aff85acd8103f9a993bc22d32dbb7 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Biblioteca da Escola de Engenharia (bee@ndc.uff.br) on 2017-08-28T17:22:19Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissert ORLANDO AUGUSTO V GONÇALVES.pdf: 2493028 bytes, checksum: 739aff85acd8103f9a993bc22d32dbb7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-28T17:22:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissert ORLANDO AUGUSTO V GONÇALVES.pdf: 2493028 bytes, checksum: 739aff85acd8103f9a993bc22d32dbb7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-11-25 / A crise energética tem ganhado bastante visibilidade na sociedade, nas empresas privadas e também nos órgãos públicos, suscitando ações necessárias para a redução do consumo de água e de energia elétrica. A pesquisa procura identificar a problemática do consumo de energia elétrica, com suas causas e efeitos, no contexto da crise hidroelétrica brasileira. Esta pesquisa tem por objetivo geral analisar e discutir as principais ações que devem ser tomadas para se obter a redução do consumo de energia elétrica em ambientes competitivos. Para tanto, tem como objetivos específicos: fazer uma revisão na literatura sobre a gestão do consumo de energia e identificar um conjunto de critérios que permitam avaliar a gestão de energia; estudar os modelos relatados na literatura com a indicação de ações que contemplem o uso racional e eficiente da energia elétrica; aplicar no estudo de caso os critérios encontrados na literatura e propor ações de melhoria e gestão eficaz do consumo elétrico ajustado a um Instituto de Pesquisa de uma Autarquia Federal no Rio de Janeiro. Uma revisão da literatura nas bases Scopus e SciELO foi realizada para dar suporte à construção desse modelo. Foi utilizado um questionário para definir e classificar o conjunto de critérios que contribuem para a redução do consumo no modelo utilizado. Um grupo de especialistas foi formado para validar os problemas encontrados e opinar sobre as soluções propostas. O método da pesquisa é indutivo de natureza exploratória e descritiva com abordagem quali-quantitativa. Os resultados da revisão da literatura apontaram para nove critérios relevantes e mostram que é possível alcançar uma redução no consumo de energia a partir do estudo desses critérios e de sua correlação com as variáveis coletadas no estudo de caso. Os resultados obtidos do questionário que foi aplicado junto aos especialistas no estudo de caso excluíram os três critérios menos relevantes, através da aplicação do Diagrama de Pareto. A pesquisa contribui para o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia para avaliação de ações visando o uso racional da energia elétrica. Contribui também para ações de planejamento sustentável que possam auxiliar as tomadas de decisão nos níveis operacional e gerencial num contexto de crise hidroelétrica. / The energy crisis has gained considerable visibility in society, in private companies and also in public agencies, provoking actions necessary to reduce water and electricity consumption. The research seeks to identify the problem of the consumption of electric energy, with its causes and effects, in the context of the Brazilian hydroelectric crisis. This research has as general objective to analyze and discuss the main actions that must be taken to obtain the reduction of the consumption of electric energy in competitive environments. To do so, it has specific objectives: to review the literature on the management of energy consumption and to identify a set of criteria for assessing energy management; To study the models reported in the literature with the indication of actions that contemplate the rational and efficient use of electric energy; To apply in the case study the criteria found in the literature and to propose actions of improvement and effective management of the adjusted electric consumption to a Research Institute of a Federal Autarchy in Rio de Janeiro. A review of the literature on Scopus and SciELO bases was carried out to support the construction of this model. A questionnaire was used to define and classify the set of criteria that contribute to the reduction of consumption in the model used. A group of experts was formed to validate the problems encountered and to give an opinion on the proposed solutions. The research method is inductive of an exploratory and descriptive nature with a qualitative-quantitative approach. The results of the literature review pointed to nine relevant criteria and show that it is possible to achieve a reduction in energy consumption based on the study of these criteria and their correlation with the variables collected in the case study. The results obtained from the questionnaire that was applied to the experts in the case study excluded the three less relevant criteria through the application of the Pareto Diagram. The research contributes to the development of a methodology for the evaluation of actions aimed at the rational use of electric energy. It also contributes to sustainable planning actions that can aid decision making at the operational and managerial levels in a context of hydroelectric crisis.

The potential of carbon emission regulations applied to an individual building will encourage building owners to purchase utility-provided green power or to employ onsite renewable energy generation. As both cases are based on intermittent renewable energy sources, demand side control is a fundamental precondition for maximizing the effectiveness of using renewable energy sources. Such control leads to a reduction in peak demand and/or in energy demand variability, therefore, such reduction in the demand profile eventually enhances the efficiency of an erratic supply of renewable energy. The combined operation of active thermal energy storage and passive building thermal mass has shown substantial improvement in demand-side control performance when compared to current state-of-the-art demand-side control measures. Specifically, "model-based" optimal control for this operation has the potential to significantly increase performance and bring economic advantages. However, due to the uncertainty in certain operating conditions in the field its control effectiveness could be diminished and/or seriously damaged, which results in poor performance. This dissertation pursues improvements of current demand-side controls under uncertainty by proposing a robust supervisory demand-side control strategy that is designed to be immune from uncertainty and perform consistently under uncertain conditions. Uniqueness and superiority of the proposed robust demand-side controls are found as below: a. It is developed based on fundamental studies about uncertainty and a systematic approach to uncertainty analysis. b. It reduces variability of performance under varied conditions, and thus avoids the worst case scenario. c. It is reactive in cases of critical "discrepancies" observed caused by the unpredictable uncertainty that typically scenario uncertainty imposes, and thus it increases control efficiency. This is obtainable by means of i) multi-source composition of weather forecasts including both historical archive and online sources and ii) adaptive Multiple model-based controls (MMC) to mitigate detrimental impacts of varying scenario uncertainties. The proposed robust demand-side control strategy verifies its outstanding demand-side control performance in varied and non-indigenous conditions compared to the existing control strategies including deterministic optimal controls. This result reemphasizes importance of the demand-side control for a building in the global carbon economy. It also demonstrates a capability of risk management of the proposed robust demand-side controls in highly uncertain situations, which eventually attains the maximum benefit in both theoretical and practical perspectives.