Cost-benefit analysis of recloser placement for reliability

Published ArticleTechnical network reliability in electrical distribution networks and the improvement thereof will always be part of utilities and the electricity supply industry. One of the key reliability improvement strategies is additional recloser (breaker) installation on medium voltage networks. The effect of recloser placement on network reliability is investigated. A method of cost-benefit analysis (CBA) is explored, explained and used to analyse the placement of additional reclosers in electrical networks. Costs and benefits are shown to be different when viewed from the perspective of the utility against that of the customer, and this ultimately influence the placement of a newly planned breaker

Uncertainties within South Africa’s goal of universal access to electricity by 2012

The South African President in 2004 stated the pol-icy goal of universal access to electricity by 2012. This goal requires a significant adjustment of annu-al connection targets and electrification budgets, based on accurate knowledge of the number of electrified and non-electrified households in South Africa. Published data on the state of electrification, however, varies widely, with reported proportions of households electrified in 2005 varying from 57% to 80%. In addition, apparent discrepancies of tens of thousands of connections exist between annual new connection rates reported in different official publi-cations. Different definitions of Universal Access fur-ther impact strategic planning. This paper explores these uncertainties in relation to South Africa’s goal of Universal Access by 2012 by focusing on the availability and accuracy of South African electrifi-cation data, and the definitions, targets and electrifi-cation budgets associated with Universal Access

Present day challenges in understanding the geomagnetic hazard to national power grids

Power grids and pipeline networks at all latitudes are known to be at risk from the natural hazard of geomagnetically induced currents. At a recent workshop in South Africa, UK and South African scientists and engineers discussed the current understanding of this hazard, as it affects major power systems in Europe and Africa. They also summarised, to better inform the public and industry, what can be said with some certainty about the hazard and what research is yet required to develop useful tools for geomagnetic hazard mitigation

Electricity distribution industry restructuring in South Africa: A case study

For 20 years there has been vigorous debate about restructuring the large, developed electricity industry in South Africa, but the plans have not been implemented. The justification of the proposed restructuring illustrates the different expectations of the participants in the electricity industry. The case study reviews what has occurred against a background of some theories about organisations, and identifies six key issues. Some lessons include the need to adopt an industry structure compatible with the objectives of electricity distribution in developing countries, the unsuitability of orthodox approaches to organisations, that no industry structure appears to be significantly better than others, industry restructuring of public sector utilities has a significant political dimension, restructuring can fail even if there is support from a high level of government, and indecision and uncertainty have serious negative consequences. The experience should be helpful for other developing countries considering structural change of their electricity industry.