Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Smart Grid is an initiative to make the existing utility grid more effective and efficient by making utility infrastructure smarter. The initiative affects all areas of the utility grid and all utility hardware. Communication to utility hardware for monitoring and remote configuration is central to the smart grid vision. The focus of this project is the Smart Transformer, a distribution transformer with built-in intelligence and communication capabilities. Data acquisition and remote configuration hardware and software was developed and installed on a distribution transformer for application in deep rural areas. The solution included communication capabilities and adheres to industry standards. The solution was tested and data acquisition and management were done using the OSIsoft PI System software. Field tests were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the solution in a deep rural setting. It was found that the smart transformer can be effectively monitored, configured and controlled in a deep rural setting. The smart transformer concept was investigated in a microgrid context. The potential of a smart transformer within a microgrid was explored and the smart transformer as a microgrid market-enabler was focussed on. A simulation was performed to evaluate the role of a smart transformer as a microgrid market-enabling device. It was found that the smart transformer has the potential to serve as a market-enabling device. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die slim kragnetwerk is 'n initiatief om die bestaande kragnetwerk meer effektief en doeltreffend te maak deur kragnetwerk infrastruktuur se intelligensie te vermeerder. Die initiatief beïnvloed alle aspekte van die kragnetwerk en kragnetwerk hardeware. Kommunikasie met kragnetwerk hardeware vir moniteering en instelling oor 'n afstand is sentraal aan die slim kragnetwerk visie. Die fokus van hierdie projek is die slim transformator, 'n distribusie transformator met ingeboude intelligensie en kommunikasie vermoëns. Data verkryging en afstandelike instelling hardeware en sagteware was ontwikkel en installeer op 'n distribusie transformator vir toepasing in diep-landelike gebiede. Die oplossing sluit kommunikasie vermoëns in en voldoen aan industrie standaarde. Die oplossing was getoets en data verkryging en bestuur was geïmplementeer met gebruik van OSIsoft se PI Stelsel sagteware. Veldtoetse was gedoen om die effektiwiteit van die oplossing in diep-landelike gebiede te evalueer. Dit was gevind dat die slim transformator effektief gemoniteer, ingestel en beheer kan word in 'n diep-landelike omgewing. Die slim transformator konsep was ondersoek in 'n mikro-kragnetwerk konteks. Die potensiaal van 'n slim transformator binne 'n mikro-kragnetwerk was verken en die vermoë van 'n slim transformator om 'n mark binne 'n mikro-kragnetwerk in staat te stel was op gefokus.‘n Simulasie was uitgevoer om die vermoë wat 'n slim transformator het om 'n mark binne 'n mikro-kragnetwerk in staat te stel te evalueer. Dit was gevind dat 'n slim transformator die vermoë het om 'n mark binne 'n mirko-kragnetwerk in staat the stel.