No description available.

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.

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

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.