The impact on demand resulting from an electricity price increase is unknown, Dekenah, Heunis, Gaunt and Cheek (2003). This study focused on large Eskom customers (industry and mining) and the impact of increased electricity prices (Eskom Megaflex Time-of-Use tariff) on their electricity demand is analysed. Since, the impact of this can be only be realised in the long-run (> 5 years), this study made use of historical data. In particular, the impact of the revised Megaflex tariff in 2002, which increased high season (winter) peak active charges by approximately 40% against an approximate reduction of 30% in the low season (winter) was analysed. It was found that the price elasticity of large Eskom customers is inelastic in the short-run (< 2 years) and elastic in the long-run. This is particularly evident in the Manufacturing sector. Furthermore, it was found that price is not the only input cost in the short-run, but economic factors such as commodity prices also influence consumption behaviour. This is particularly evident in the Mining sector. It was also found that alternatives (i.e. mandatory and voluntary load reduction programmes, etc.) impact electricity load profiles. In conclusion, this study found sufficient evidence in support of the research hypothesis. Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Orientador: José Antenor Pomílio / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de Computação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T11:27:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rodrigues_DiegoTardivo_M.pdf: 3096616 bytes, checksum: 2d3b90e8f78bbfc91209e0e523c0f21b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: O trabalho tem como aplicação a geração de ozônio, que se dá em uma célula ozonizadora a partir de descargas eletrostáticas resultantes da aplicação de alta tensão por um transformador. Uma ressonância série essencialmente determinada pela indutância de dispersão e a capacitância equivalente do sistema surge, para este caso, em frequências na ordem de kHz. A operação do inversor de alimentação com uma frequência de chaveamento pouco maior do que a frequência de ressonância série tem como vantagens a comutação suave das chaves do inversor, um alto ganho de tensão e a possibilidade da construção de transformadores menores comparado à operação em 60 Hz. Visando o aumento da potência total do sistema e, consequentemente, aumento na capacidade de geração de ozônio, como alternativa para tal é feita a conexão em paralelo de diversos conjuntos formados por transformadora e respectiva célula, com potência da ordem de centenas de Watts, sendo estes alimentados por um único inversor. No entanto, a dispersão de parâmetros dos transformadores e células, leva a diferentes valores de potência por conjunto, estando alguns com potência acima da nominal e outros abaixo. A fim de se obter uma distribuição igual de potência entre as cargas, é apresentada uma estratégia para a equalização de potência em uma associação em paralelo de circuitos ressonantes com dispersão de parâmetros. O ajuste da sintonia é feito por meio de compensação série utilizando a técnica de síntese direta de reatâncias. Um modelo baseado no método médio generalizado foi obtido para que os parâmetros do controlador utilizado na equalização de potência fossem determinados. O uso de transformadores geralmente traz a necessidade de se precaver a um processo de saturação, todavia, é apresentada uma estratégia de controle capaz de impedir a saturação, por meio da síntese de capacitância variável série. Resultados de simulação e experimentais mostram o comportamento dos circuitos e das estratégias de controle propostas / Abstract: The work is applied to ozone generator, which occurs in an ozone generator cell through electrostatic discharges produced by high voltage transformer. A series resonance essentially determined by the leakage inductance and equivalent capacitance of the system arises in this case, at frequencies on the order of kHz. The operation of the inverter which feeds the load with switching frequency above the series resonance frequency has the advantages of soft switching at the inverter switches, a high voltage gain and the possibility of construct smaller transformers compared to operation at 60 Hz. Seeking to increase the total power system and, consequently, the capacity of ozone generation as an alternative is placed in parallel several loads formed by the transformer and respective cell, with a power of hundreds of Watts, fed by a single inverter. However, due to electrical parameters dispersion, there is not an equal distribution of power among the loads, with some being above the nominal power and other below. Order to obtain an equal distribution of power, a strategy is presented for balancing the power among paralleled loads. The balance is achieved through series compensation using the Direct Reactance Synthesis. A model based on the generalized average method is obtained for the controller parameters used in the equalization of power were found. Transformers usually need attention to avoid saturation; therefore, this work presents a control strategy to prevent the saturation, by synthesis of series variable capacitance. Simulation and experimental results show the behavior of circuits and proposed control strategies / Mestrado / Energia Eletrica / Mestre em Engenharia Elétrica

To keep up with technological as well as logistical challenges of the modern automobile market, major car manufacturing firms have resorted to virtual simulation tools. This enables the development as well as validation of vehicular models much before resources are invested into a new physical prototype.This project focuses on the development of a tool that would help in optimising the handling parameters of a vehicle. This is achieved by creating an optimization routine for tuning the various parameters of the Electronic Power Steering (EPAS). This process is usually done manually, by on-track testing, due to the difficulties in correlating Subjective Assessments (SA) with Objective Metrics (OM). Automating this process would help to reduce the overall research and development time, by providing a baseline tune for the EPAS parameters which could then be finely tweaked by manual track testing.The tool is built by interfacing various software in a multi-objective optimisation environment known as ModeFrontier. The modelling and simulations are performed in IPG CarMaker, with the post processing of the results taken care of by Sympathy for Data. Multiple optimization algorithms were tested to achieve the best optimisation routine. The EPAS parameters, namely the Basic Steering Torque, Active Return and Active Damping, act as the input to the optimization routine. The outputs of the model are the Objective Metrics, which provide a clear indication of the dynamic performance of a component. These metrics are optimized to _t the Steering DNA structure, which uniquely describes the attributes of a vehicle. The final optimised vehicle is manually tested at the track, to determine the real driving feel. / För att upprätthålla ett positivt momentum i såväl tekniska som logistiska utmaningar på dagens bilmarknad har stora biltillverkare börjat använda sig av virtuella simuleringsverktyg. Dessa verktyg möjliggör utveckling av diverse fordonsmodeller långt innan resurser investeras i en fysisk prototyp. Detta projekt fokuserar på utvecklingen av ett verktyg som potentiellt kan hjälpa att optimera dynamiska beteendeparametrar för ett fordon. Detta uppnås genom att skapa en optimeringsrutin för att ställa in de olika parametrarna för den elektroniska servostyrningen (EPAS). Denna process görs vanligtvis manuellt, genom test på provbana, på grund avsvårigheterna att korrelera subjektiva bedömningar (SA) med objektiva mätetal (OM). Att automatisera denna process kan bidra till att minska den övergripande forsknings- och utvecklingstiden genom att tillhandahålla en baslinje för EPAS-parametrarna som i efterhand kan finjusteras genom manuell justering på provbana. Verktyget är byggt genom att ansluta olika program i en optimeringsmiljö som kallas ModeFrontier. Modellering och simuleringar utförs i IPG CarMaker, med efterbehandling av resultaten i Sympathy for Data. Flera optimeringsalgoritmer testades för att uppnå bästa optimeringsrutinen. EPAS-parametrarna består av det grundläggande styrmomentet, aktiv retur och aktiv dämpning, och fungerar som invärden till optimeringsrutinen där utvärdera från modellen är objektiva mätetalen, vilket ger en tydlig indikation på den dynamiska prestandan hos en komponent. Dessa mätvärden optimeras för att passa Steering DNA-strukturen, som unikt beskriver egenskaperna hos ett fordon. Det slutliga optimerade fordonet testas manuellt på provbana för att bestämma den verkliga körkänslan.

MSc (Statistics) / Department of Statistics / Generally, short term load forecasting is essential for any power generating utility. In this dissertation the main objective was to develop short term load forecasting models for the peak demand periods (i.e. from 18:00 to 20:00 hours) in South Africa using. Quantile semi-parametric additive models were proposed and used to forecast electricity demand during peak hours. In addition to this, forecasts obtained were then used to nd an optimal number of generating units to commit (switch on or o ) daily in order to produce the required electricity demand at minimal costs. A mixed integer linear programming technique was used to nd an optimal number of units to commit. Driving factors such as calendar e ects, temperature, etc. were used as predictors in building these models. Variable selection was done using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso). A feasible solution to the unit commitment problem will help utilities meet the demand at minimal costs. This information will be helpful to South Africa's national power utility, Eskom. / NRF

Energy security, global warming, and climate change have been a major source of global discussions and development. Likewise, the rising cost of electricity for consumers and exponential demand for energy are major factors driving the incremental growth and integration of sustainable forms of energy generation into power the system cycle. Distributed generation resources are majorly integrated into the electricity distribution system at the medium voltage (MV) and low voltage (LV) level of the utility grid system. Unexpected power outages on an electricity distribution network can lead to an islanding situation, in which a distributed generation system continues to supply power to the electricity grid. It is highly recommended by operational standards that, under such conditions, a distributed generation system is disconnected from the grid within a short period to prevent damage to power equipment and ensure personnel safety. The decoupling process requires an islanding detection method (IDM). Such detection methods are implemented in grid-tied power electronic converters (PEC) to detect and prevent islanding conditions.  The thesis investigates and describes an active islanding detection method, the active frequency drift with positive feedback. It also covers the parameter design and the analysis of the non–detection zone. The effectiveness of the method was verified through MATLAB/SIMULINK simulation

Submitted by ALESSANDRO LUCINDO DA LUZ null (aledaluz@hotmail.com) on 2018-01-10T01:24:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Operacao flexivel conversores_ALuz.pdf: 10997918 bytes, checksum: 18fe1f6d3eba73d11bf63fab8cf0a0be (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Marlene Zaniboni null (zaniboni@bauru.unesp.br) on 2018-01-10T11:41:48Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 luz_al_me_bauru.pdf: 10997918 bytes, checksum: 18fe1f6d3eba73d11bf63fab8cf0a0be (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-01-10T11:41:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 luz_al_me_bauru.pdf: 10997918 bytes, checksum: 18fe1f6d3eba73d11bf63fab8cf0a0be (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-11-13 / Este trabalho de mestrado descreve uma estratégia de operação multifuncional e flexível aplicado a conversores trifásicos CC-CA (inversores) conectados à rede de distribuição de energia elétrica. A estratégia proposta é capaz de injetar potência ativa na rede e compensar correntes de distúrbios (reativos, desbalanço e harmônicos) simultaneamente. O maior objetivo desta operação flexível é de melhorar a Qualidade de Energia Elétrica em um ponto de acoplamento comum (PAC) permitindo a compensação total ou parcial destes distúrbios ou fatores que degradam a Qualidade de Energia Elétrica. O fator de potência é o principal fator de qualidade a ser observado e ele é calculado através da Teoria da Potência Conservativa – CPT. Entretanto, com base no fator de potência medido pelo lado da rede de distribuição e o fator de potência desejado, um coeficiente de compensação – k é calculado para o ajuste das correntes de compensação dos distúrbios que geram a potência não ativa. / This paper depicts a multifunctional and flexible control strategy applied in three-phase inverters, which are connected to the distribution network. The proposed strategy is able to inject active power into the electrical grid and compensate current disturbances (reactive, harmonics and unbalance) simultaneously. The main goal of this flexible strategy is to improve the Power Quality at the point of common coupling (PCC) allowing full or partial compensation of disturbances. Power factor is the main quality index observed and it is calculated according to Conservative Power Theory - CPT. Therefore, based on the power factor measured in the grid side and the desired value for the power factor, a compensation coefficient - k is calculated continuously adjusting the amplitude of the compensation current.

Aujourd’hui, les exigences croissantes en termes de compétitivité requièrent la conception de systèmes électronique de puissance ayant un encombrement minimal tout en gardant une bonne fiabilité. La combinaison de ces deux caractéristiques est absolument requise au niveau d’un système aussi bien qu’au niveau d’un composant. On cite notamment le cas des condensateurs d’aluminium à électrolyte liquide, qui sont largement utilisés comme réservoir de stockage de l’énergie électrostatique. Cette fonction est nécessaire dans les systèmes électroniques de puissance pour fournir l’énergie aux différentes parties à chaque appel de courant. D’après la littérature, l’étude et l’évaluation de la fiabilité de ces systèmes reposent fortement sur celle des condensateurs d’aluminium à électrolyte liquide ainsi que sur d’autres composants identifiés comme critiques (Transistors MOS de découpage, isolants dans les transformateurs, …etc.). Le premier chapitre débute par une présentation de la technologie des condensateurs est détaillée en indiquant les différents paramètres qui les caractérisent et les différents travaux réalisés dans la littéraire sur l’étude et l’évaluation de la fiabilité de ces composants. Dans le deuxième chapitre, les essais de vieillissement sont élaborés en se basant sur le profil de mission du système. Ensuite, les évolutions des caractéristiques ayant une dégradation significative sont modélisées. Le troisième chapitre porte sur la caractérisation physico-chimique du condensateur afin de comprendre et expliquer les modes de défaillance enregistré pendant les essais de vieillissement. Le dernier chapitre est consacré à la réalisation des essais de vieillissement sur système simulant la dissipation de la chaleur des composants adjacents aux condensateurs. Des mesures électriques sont faites en temps réel afin de superviser la tension à leurs bornes. Enfin, un essai de stress mécanique est réalisé afin de permettre d’évaluer l’impact des vibrations sur la connectique des condensateurs neufs et vieillis. / Today, the increasing demands in terms of competitiveness require the design of electronic power systems having a minimal bulk while maintaining a good reliability. The combination of these two features is required at a system level as well as at a component level. It is particularly the case of liquid electrolyte aluminum capacitors, which are widely used as storage tanks forelectrostatic energy. This function is necessary in electronic power systems to provide energy to the different parts with each current draw. According to the literature, the study and the evaluation of the reliability of these systems rely heavily on that of liquid electrolyte aluminum capacitors as well as on other components identified as critical (MOS switching transistors, insulators in transformers, etc.). The first chapter begins with a detailed presentation of the technology of capacitors by indicating the various parameters that characterize them and the different work done in the literary on the study and evaluation of the reliability of these components. In the second chapter, aging tests are developed based on the mission profile of the system. Then, the evolutions of characteristics having a significant degradation are modeled. The third chapter deals with the physico-chemical characterization of the capacitor in order to understand and to explain the failure modes recorded during the aging tests. The last chapter is devoted to performing aging tests on a system which is simulating the heat dissipation of components adjacent to capacitors. Electrical measurements are realized in real time to monitor the voltage at their terminals. Finally, a mechanical stress test is carried out to evaluate the impact of vibrations on the connection of new and aged capacitors.