This study focuses on the institutional problems involved in planning for large-scale energy and resource projects in B.C. Fundamental to planning for these projects is the resolution of the tension between economic growth and environmental quality. Concern is expressed that, to date, planning has stressed economic values at the expense of environmental values held in society. A more equitable planning structure is needed whereby interested groups in society may present informed views to the planners and decision-makers to help them achieve solutions that more nearly represent the public interest. To reach a solution that reflects the public interest an advocacy approach to planning is suggested in Chapter Two. This approach stresses interest group participation in the "planning process" to conduct planning that meets public expectations. In order that environmental interests are incorporated into the planning and decision-making for major power and resource projects, an environmental review agency is proposed. This agency would have the power to conduct is own investigations into issues that might affect the environment and advocate its findings in the debate over the proposed Projects. To test the suitability in British Columbia of the advocacy approach a number of criteria are developed, The criteria reflect some basic democratic values held in our society and the problems associated with institutional design. The criteria include public participation and representation, information generation, efficiency, equality, professional humility, natural justice, liberty and political leadership. The characteristics of B.C.'s political milieu are examined in Chapter Three to see what problems the implementation of the advocacy approach for environmental and resource planning might face in the province. Three characteristics of the political milieu are seen as possible constraints on the effective implementation of a review agency - materialist values held in the province, lack of strong interest groups and the dependence on resource extraction for economic prosperity. A case study of the planning and decision-making for the Bennett Dam on the Peace River, presented in Chapter Four, outlines the inadequacy of the planning process. Even though there have been some changes in planning procedures since the initial planning for the Peace project, two principal deficiencies remain - there is virtually no scope for public involvement in the planning process and the information produced is too highly technical to make for effective public participation. As a consequence major energy and resource planning will likely produce results that favour energy and development interests. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

The energy resource planning process for electric utilities in the Northwestern United States is unique because the region relies upon a mix of hydro and thermal resources. Consequently, methods used to study predominantly thermal or predominantly hydro systems are not applicable. Methods are needed to determine if a particular configuration of resources will be adequate to meet future energy load, taking into account various sources of uncertainty. A literature survey of presently available methods is described, and one method is studied in some detail. A new method for analyzing systems that rely upon a mix of hydro and thermal resources is then described. The primary contributors to uncertainty in a hydro/thermal electricity supply system are: (1) uncertain rainfall and snowfall, which results in uncertain availability of hydro energy; (2) the uncertain arrival times of planned nuclear and coal plants; (3) uncertain capacity factors for thermal plants; and (4) the uncertain amount of energy that customers will require in future years. The new model, called CHANCE, characterizes each of these uncertain phenomena with a probability density function. Mathematical convolution and an algorithm developed by the author are then used to determine the probability density function for the energy margin--the difference between supply and demand. Measures of the "energy adequacy" of the supply system are then computed from the energy margin probability density function. A computer program was designed so that the conceptual model can be easily applied to any desired electrical supply system. Once an appropriate set of input assumptions h2ve been determined, they are easily entered into the computer via a question and answer sequence and stored for future use. The computer program then computes the energy adequacy of the system. The user can then change assumptions and/or resource schedules via a question and answer sequence, and recompute the energy adequacy. The computer then prepares a report showing how the alternative assumptions and/or schedules compare. CHANCE has been applied to Pacific Power and Light Company, Portland, Oregon. At the present time, about half of their energy is generated by hydro plants and the other half is generated by coal plants. Only a small fraction is generated by nuclear plants. All planned additional generation is either coal-fired or nuclear-fired. The results of applying CHANCE indicate that planned resources are not likely to be adequate to meet the needs in the early 1980's. Several evaluation exercises have also been carried out. First, CHANCE was calibrated against other electrical energy planning models used by Pacific Power and Light. Next, the sensitivity of the CHANCE model to changes in input assumptions was measured. As was anticipated, the model is highly sensitive to the assumed energy load forecast, to the assumed potential delays in the arrival of resources, and to the assumed thermal plant capacity factors. Thus, more research in these areas is warranted. Research that might lead to improvements in the CHANCE model is then outlined, and final conclusions are drawn. The final conclusions are that the CHANCE model: (1) is valid relative to the outlined scope, (2) is quite versatile and flexible, and (3) fulfills an important need in electrical energy planning.

No description available.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg / Power system adequacy has been historically insufficient in the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) region with resulting negative effects on economic growth and electrification efforts. Existing domestic regulatory frameworks and opaque longterm bilateral contracting for procuring capacity in the region have been shown to be insufficient in ensuring system adequacy. The concept of an adequacy product in the form of a Capacity Mechanism (CM) introduced into the SAPP region has not yet appeared in the literature. A Capacity Mechanism (CM) for the SAPP region has been proposed and designed as part of this research to address this. A framework has been developed to consider CMs via the combination of a screening assessment, quantitative (model-based) analysis of more favourable CM options and an identification and quantification of key design elements. The developed framework can also be generalised and applied to other jurisdictions where CMs are under consideration. A regional CM which transparently and explicitly values capacity is proposed in the form of a forward-looking annual Capacity Auction that is locationally disaggregated, supplied by all possible supply-side resources with all feasible SAPP market participants included. The CM should be technology agnostic and account for the dual requirement for firm capacity to meet peak demand and firm-energy to meet annual energy requirements considering the dominance of hydrobased capacity in the region when excluding South Africa. There should be a leadtime of 3-4 years with the possibility of long-term auctions for large hydro-based capacity. Strict market monitoring and adherence to performance incentives and penalties will need to be ensured to avoid exercising of market power considering the dominant size of the South African power system. Appropriately mandated institutions to run Capacity Auctions would include the SAPP Co-Ordination Centre as well as a sufficiently mandated regional regulatory body. A further contribution is made in the form of a public domain power system dataset of the SAPP region with sufficient detail to be used in power system operations and planning efforts by future researchers and practitioners. / E.K. 2020

The problem of unit commitment in an electric utility system is analyzed. The types of generating units considered include nuclear-steam, fossil-steam, thermalpeaking, conventional and pumped-storage hydro. The large problem of generating unit commitment, due to the inclusion of the nuclear unit, is decomposed into two stages. In the first stage, the relatively stable nuclear generation is optimized with respect to the generation from the large fossil-steam unit. Hourly generation levels for all the units in the system are determined in the second stage. AS a result of considering the startup-shutdown cost, the objective function has a fixed charge component in addition to first and second degree polynomials. Representation of the minimum turndown level and minimum Shutdown duration of the generator necessitates the use of O-1 variables along with continuous variables. The solution methodology presented here, applying an extension of the Lambda-Separable Programming, can handle these requirements efficiently. Application of the algorithm results in a minimum-cost generation schedule for all units in the system. Optimum generation levels of energy limited units are determined without using a preselected unit commitment order. The effect of startup-shutdown costs on the number of hours a Plant should operate is established. The cost and benefit of spent nuclear fuel reprocessing is analyzed and the effect of uranium prices on it (reprocessing) is shown. The model is tested using a sample system of six generating units. Hourly generation schedules, includig purchase and sale, are determined for two one-week periods while the nuclear generation is optimized for an entire year. / 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.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / The global energy industry is actively moving toward renewable energy sources in order to meet the ever-increasing demand for energy in a sustainable manner. The South African government, however, has only recently begun creating an environment which is truly conducive to investment into the renewable energy industry. Metso, a Finnish multi-national corporation, has a strong global position in the field of biomass-based power generation for heat, power or combined heat and power applications. The corporation has developed a modular biomass-based power generation solution for power generation in the 3MW to 10MW range, which is highly automated and can essentially operate without the need for extensive human intervention and is known as the Metso Bio-energy Solution. Considering the current state of the South African energy environment, Metso management requested the researcher to investigate the opportunities that exist in the South African market for Metso’s Bio-energy Solution, and to propose a market entry strategy which Metso should follow in order to enter the South African market. In the findings, the researcher observed that South Africa has a clear potential for the development of a bio-energy industry for power generation, although the limited availability of biomass in certain regions and the various harvesting methods in industries such as the forestry and sugar industries do restrict the access to this resource. The municipal solid waste industry appears to be an area of interest as well, although very little information exists regarding the volumes of waste available and sorting practices, which may be required in order to access these resources. Interviews were held with experts in the field of energy, renewable energy and energy policy in order to obtain opinions on the market potential for Metso’s Bio-energy Solution. The general perception of all interviewees was that the technology has its place within the South African energy mix. The interviewees, however, did confirm that there currently appears to be a major focus on wind and solar energy in the country, although biomass technology may well be a better solution due to its baseload capabilities. It was found that the local policy environment, the lack of government initiative on renewable energy licensing and unclear tariff structures have all inhibited the proliferation of the renewable energy industry. In many cases, frustration with power outages and policy delays has caused companies to invest in biomass co-firing facilities for their own consumption. The factors for success for biomass-based technologies in the South African market would appear to be directly linked to job creation potential, access to reliable and sustainable biomass resources and access to investment capital, from both private equity and the state. It is the recommendation of the researcher that Metso enters into a joint venture with a large international environmental finance company, which would base their business model on the technology provided by Metso, whilst securing the political and financial support for projects of this nature in the country.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / The recent transformation in the Ugandan energy sector has led to a significant surge in private electricity generation companies in the country. These companies have a heterogeneous capital structure and they tend to charge different tariff rates for the electricity generated. While the capital structure might have an important role to play in differential tariff setting, it is not clear to what extent it influences the tariff structure of electricity generation projects. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine the effect of capital structure on the tariff of electricity generation projects in Uganda after controlling for other factors such as operation and maintenance costs, technology used for generation, project development costs, and installed capacity of generation plants on the generation tariffs. Using cross-sectional data from 29 companies as at September 2014, a bootstrap linear regression analysis was used for estimation. The results of the study indicated that the higher the debt portion in the capital structure, the lower the generation tariff. However, the impact of debt in the capital structure was not statistically significant. What stood out is that renewable technologies have a much lower generating tariff than non-renewable technologies.

A project submitted to the faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilments of the requirements for the degree of Master of science in Engineering Johannesburg, 1994 / The purpose of this document is to report on the development of Linear Programming function for the Generation Expansion Planning environment of Eskom. This was achieved by researching the modeling methods employed in this and related fields of work. After establishing the scope of the work to be performed all the options were carefully assessed and it was decided to develop the Production Scheduling function first, as this would serve as the foundation for future work. The requirements were specified after extensive discussion with the customer. These requirements were utilize to establish the formulae, including their bounds and constraints. These were in turn converted into the Linear programming function. To faci1itate the data input process a simple input facility was developed. To maximize the value of the results the report writer was developed to enable sensitivity studies to be performed. This work was later used as the foundation of the NewGex programme.

Orientador: Antonio Roberto Balbo / Banca: Helenice de Oliveira F. Silva / Banca: Edmea Cassia Baptista / Resumo: O presente trabalho apresenta o método primal-dual previsor-corretor de pontos interiores para programação quadrática, com restrições lineares e quadráticos e variáveis canalizadas, e a aplicação deste método na resolução de problemas multiobjetivo de despacho econômico e ambiental, encontrados na engenharia elétrica. Pretende-se determinar soluções que sejam eficientes em relação ao custo dos combustíveis empregados na geração termoelétrica de energia e ao controle da emissão de poluentes, investigando-se duas estratégias: a primeira estratégica considera na função objetivo a soma ponderada entre as funções objetivo econômica e objetivo ambiental; a segunda estratégia considera o problema de despacho econômico condicionado à restrição ambiental, limitada superiormente para níveis permissíveis de missão. Para a resolução destes, uma implementação computacional do método primal-dual foi realizada em linguagem de programação C++, considerando o procedimento previsor-corretor com uma estratégia de barreira modificada para as restrições quadráticas de desigualdade, quando consideramos a segunda estratégia. Os resultados obtidos demonstram a eficiência do método em destaque em comparação a outros métodos como algoritmos genéticos co-evolutivo, atávico híbrido e cultural, bem como ao método primal-dual de pontos interiores, com procedimento de busca unidimensional, que estão divulgados na literatura / Abstract: This paper presents the primal-dual predictor-corrector interior point method for quadratic programming with linear and quadratic constraints and bounded variables, and its application in multiobjective problems of economic and environmental dispatch, found in electrical engineering. It is intended to determine effective solutions to the fuel cost used in thermal power generation and emissions control, by investigating two strategy; the first strategy considers the objective function as weighted sum of economic and environmental objective functions; the second strategy considers the economic dispatch problem subject to environmental constraint, upper bounded for allowable emission levels. To solve them, a computational implementation of primal-dual methods was performed in C++ programming language, considering the predictor-corrector procedure with a strategy of modified barrier for the quadratic inequality constraints, when we considerer the second strategy. The results obtained demonstrate the efficiency of the method highlighted in comparison with the co-evolutive genetic algorithms, hybrid and atavistic cultural, as well the primal-dual interior point method with one-dimensional search procedure, which are found in the literature / Mestre