The electricity generation composition in the South African national grid has changed in recent years from mostly thermal generation to a combination of thermal generation plants and a variety of plants owned and operated by Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers (REIPPs). The need arises to determine whether the existing planning and design guidelines of distribution networks in South Africa are sufficient in terms of equipment specifications and general sizing and rating principles, used during the network planning process, under increasing penetration levels of embedded generation. The correlation between increases in embedded generation penetration levels and voltage variation, unbalance and harmonic emissions are determined by simulating various operating scenarios of varying load and short circuit level for penetration levels of 10%, 25% and 40%. The existing distribution grid planning standard NRS 097 allows for a 25% penetration level where several consumers share one feeder or distribution transformer. Some of the limits contained in the South African power quality standards NRS 048 and the distribution grid planning guidelines NRS 097 are exceeded when penetration levels of grid connected Photovoltaic (PV) generation exceeds certain levels. - Switching embedded generation in or out of service does not cause voltage variations that exceed the planning limit of 3% at the shared feeder. - Voltage unbalance due to embedded generation connected to the same phase does not cause the compatibility limit of 3% to be exceeded. - Current unbalance should be monitored as it is very likely that equipment ratings may be exceeded when the integration of embedded generation is not coordinated. - Voltage harmonic limits of the odd harmonic which are multiples of 3 are exceeded. - Current harmonic planning limits of several harmonics are exceeded for penetration levels of 25%. The criteria and limits contained in the standards and guidelines relating to current unbalance and harmonic currents should be reviewed to ensure that future grids with high penetration levels of embedded generation can withstand the inherent power quality challenges without having an adverse effect on distribution equipment. Distribution transformers can age faster when they are subjected to harmonic currents and voltages exceeding their design parameters [12]. The distribution transformer isolates the Medium Voltage (MV) distribution grid from the 400 V residential grid. The voltage harmonics and voltage unbalance on the Low Voltage (LV) grid therefore do not permeate to the MV grid. Proposed future work includes translating the qualitative suggestions made in this dissertation into quantitative terms that can be included in revisions of the distribution equipment standards and grid planning guidelines. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering / MEng / Unrestricted

Quality play is fundamental to the healthy development of a child. Children living in high-density residential areas in Pretoria are deprived of necessary play experiences, due to the nature of the existing playgrounds. This dissertation investigates how a playscape (natural playground) can be designed in such a way as to facilitate the social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of children. The research argues that quality play is possible when children have loose parts to play with, and are able to manipulate their environment. Playing in more natural areas offers a host of physical and psychological health benefits for children. A playscape is therefore proposed in the high-density residential area of Sunnyside in Pretoria along the Walker Spruit, to serve the play needs of the children in the area, incorporating a toy library and other economic initiatives. The design solution aims at creating a safe park which would be used by all members of the public, not only children. The proposal shows that employing natural materials in a play area could provide healthy, stimulating play opportunities for children. / Dissertation (ML(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Architecture / unrestricted

This study explores the utilisation of spatial technologies as a tool to analyse and combat crime. The study deals specifically with remote sensing and its potential for being integrated with geographical information systems (GIS). The integrated spatial approach resulted in the understanding of land use class behaviour over time and its relationship to specific crime incidents per police precinct area. The incorporation of spatial technologies to test criminological theories in practice, such as the ecological theories of criminology, provides the science with strategic value. It proves the value of combining multi-disciplinary scientific fields to create a more advanced platform to understand land use behaviour and its relationship to crime. Crime in South Africa is a serious concern and it impacts negatively on so many lives. The fear of crime, the loss of life, the socio-economic impact of crime, etc. create the impression that the battle against crime has been lost. The limited knowledge base within the law enforcement agencies, limited logistical resources and low retention rate of critical staff all contribute to making the reduction of crime more difficult to achieve. A practical procedure of using remote sensing technology integrated with geographical information systems (GIS), overlaid with geo-coded crime data to provide a spatial technological basis to analyse and combat crime, is illustrated by a practical study of the Tshwane municipality area. The methodology applied in this study required multi-skilled resources incorporating GIS and the understanding of crime to integrate the diverse scientific fields into a consolidated process that can contribute to the combating of crime in general. The existence of informal settlement areas in South Africa stresses the socio-economic problems that need to be addressed as there is a clear correlation of land use data with serious crime incidents in these areas. The fact that no formal cadastre exists for these areas, combined with a great diversity in densification and growth of the periphery, makes analysis very difficult without remote sensing imagery. Revisits over time to assess changes in these areas in order to adapt policing strategies will create an improved information layer for responding to crime. Final computerised maps generated from remote sensing and GIS layers are not the only information that can be used to prevent and combat crime. An important recipe for ultimately successfully managing and controlling crime in South Africa is to strategically combine training of the law enforcement agencies in the use of spatial information with police science. The researcher concludes with the hope that this study will contribute to the improved utilisation of spatial technology to analyse and combat crime in South Africa. The ultimate vision is the expansion of the science of criminology by adding an advanced spatial technology module to its curriculum. / Criminology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Criminology)

This study explores the utilisation of spatial technologies as a tool to analyse and combat crime. The study deals specifically with remote sensing and its potential for being integrated with geographical information systems (GIS). The integrated spatial approach resulted in the understanding of land use class behaviour over time and its relationship to specific crime incidents per police precinct area. The incorporation of spatial technologies to test criminological theories in practice, such as the ecological theories of criminology, provides the science with strategic value. It proves the value of combining multi-disciplinary scientific fields to create a more advanced platform to understand land use behaviour and its relationship to crime. Crime in South Africa is a serious concern and it impacts negatively on so many lives. The fear of crime, the loss of life, the socio-economic impact of crime, etc. create the impression that the battle against crime has been lost. The limited knowledge base within the law enforcement agencies, limited logistical resources and low retention rate of critical staff all contribute to making the reduction of crime more difficult to achieve. A practical procedure of using remote sensing technology integrated with geographical information systems (GIS), overlaid with geo-coded crime data to provide a spatial technological basis to analyse and combat crime, is illustrated by a practical study of the Tshwane municipality area. The methodology applied in this study required multi-skilled resources incorporating GIS and the understanding of crime to integrate the diverse scientific fields into a consolidated process that can contribute to the combating of crime in general. The existence of informal settlement areas in South Africa stresses the socio-economic problems that need to be addressed as there is a clear correlation of land use data with serious crime incidents in these areas. The fact that no formal cadastre exists for these areas, combined with a great diversity in densification and growth of the periphery, makes analysis very difficult without remote sensing imagery. Revisits over time to assess changes in these areas in order to adapt policing strategies will create an improved information layer for responding to crime. Final computerised maps generated from remote sensing and GIS layers are not the only information that can be used to prevent and combat crime. An important recipe for ultimately successfully managing and controlling crime in South Africa is to strategically combine training of the law enforcement agencies in the use of spatial information with police science. The researcher concludes with the hope that this study will contribute to the improved utilisation of spatial technology to analyse and combat crime in South Africa. The ultimate vision is the expansion of the science of criminology by adding an advanced spatial technology module to its curriculum. / Criminology and Security Science / D.Litt. et Phil. (Criminology)