Power Quality Improvement of a Distribution Network for Sustainable Power Supply

This paper presents a heuristic technique for improving power quality of a distribution network for sustainable electric power supply using shunt capacitor placement. The issue of power loss has been a major threat to a distribution network. A distribution network is expected to operate at certain voltage level to meet consumer’s energy demand. Power flow studies has been conducted using the Newton Raphson’s technique at the 30 bus, 11 kV Onuiyi-Nsukka distribution network. It was found that the voltage profile at buses 19 and 26 were critically violated with voltage amplitudes of 0.72 pu and 0.79 pu respectively. The feeder power quality was improved using a heuristic technique and the installation of a 1200KVAr shunt capacitor to keep bus voltage amplitudes within the legal limit of (0.95-1.05) pu. The voltage profile, active and reactive power losses on the network were determined. Active power loss and reactive power loss was reduced from 0.27MW to 0.12MW and 0.76Mvar to 0.14Mvar, respectively. Therefore, the voltage profile is enhanced and the power loss significantly reduced

Assessing Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Labour Market Potentials: Comparison of Conferees' Opinions

Technical Vocational and Technical Education (TVET) has the potential to influence the labour market and transform the economy resulting in an improvement in the advancement of careers. This study assesses the potential of TVET to influence the labour market using the opinions of conferees. The study employs an integrative multi-method approach with a descriptive survey and focus group discussion. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 153 conferees using self-selection, non-probability sampling technique. Descriptive statistics of percentages and mean were used to analyze the data collected. Furthermore, the Keiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy gave MSA of .948; Bartlett's Test of Sphericity showed p-value of 0.000, necessitating a factor analysis. The Kruskal-Wallis H Test was used to determine the statistical differences in the responses. Results revealed a gradual balance of gender in TVET with 53% female and 47% male; among the 99% employed in diverse sectors, only 18% (28) created jobs by themselves. Although there was coherence in agreement to TVET potentials, some respondents disagreed that TVET leads to good career opportunities. Findings show underlying strategy groupings to improve potential, in line with the focus group analysis, include: quality and upgraded learning environment, teachers and labour market information; relevant technical and employability skills, and established gender equality standards

Determinant factors of entrepreneurship intentions of electronic technology education students in Nigerian universities

Abstract The major purpose of this study was to explore the determinant factors of entrepreneurship intentions of Electronic Technology Education students in Nigerian universities. The study explored the influence of entrepreneurial factors as well as entrepreneurial learning experiences activities on the entrepreneurial intentions of Electronic Technology Education students in the universities. The study adopted a correlational survey research design. The population for the study was 366 Electronic Technology Education undergraduate students. There was no sampling as a result of the manageable size of the population. The students were surveyed by direct contact using questionnaire. They were asked to indicate the entrepreneurship learning experiences activities they were participating in/would participate in as part of their curriculum. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regressions. The findings show that the more entrepreneurial activities students are engaged in, the less the influence of entrepreneurial factors on their entrepreneurial intentions and this significantly increased entrepreneurial intentions of students who prefer career choice as an entrepreneur. The findings also revealed that there is a positive relationship between gender, age, career choice, parents’ occupation, and entrepreneurial intentions of Electronic Technology Education undergraduate students. It was recommended that Electronic Technology Education undergraduate students should see career options with a balance view in order to understand their abilities before deciding to venture in any electronic business enterprise

Influence of the link between resources and behavioural factors on the entrepreneurial intentions of electrical installation and maintenance work students

With a theory of planned behaviour (TPB) framework, this study examined how the link between resources and behavioural factors influence the entrepreneurial intentions of electrical installation and maintenance work (EIMW) students. It showed how available resources, which are defined as those controlled by the technical institutions but are accessible by the students, influence their behaviour and consequently their entrepreneurial intention. Different approaches are used in the study to analyse the primary data collected from EIMW students and an empirical analysis was done using structural equation model. The study showed the robustness of TPB model in the face of available resource that attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control are behavioural factors that can be positively influence by several exogenous factors to enhance EIMW students' entrepreneurial intentions. The results of the study enhance the institutional training of staff and instructors at all management to give career counselling services and be vast in the career opportunities available in the field of study. This skill will motivate EIMW students towards establishing their business venture

Harmonizing work safety and health practices towards technician’s productivity in the workplace: A modified theory of planned behaviour

AbstractSeveral technicians have been exposed to danger and varying degree of risk, exposed to diverse grades of occupational and health hazard, injuries and death which may arise from accidents. Several factors that cause these accidents range from inadequate experience, short job tenure, insufficient training, etc. Therefore, this study harmonizes safety and health practices at work towards technician’s productivity in the workplace. A total of 1,080 registered technicians in workplaces in Lagos State, South-West region, Nigeria, were used as sample in this study. The samples were selected using purposive sampling technique. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used during the empirical analysis to achieve the model fits. The study shows that there is a significant influence of the health and safety practice constructs (job safety, coworker’s safety, supervisor’s safety and management of safety practices) on the construct of theory of planned behaviour (attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and intentions) to further enhance technician safety and health practices/safety behaviour. The result from the study indicates that school-based occupational safety and health education may contribute to future reduction in job-related injury, to ensure that safe and healthy work becomes important to the student experience

Power Quality Improvement of a Distribution Network for Sustainable Power Supply

This paper presents a heuristic technique for improving power quality of a distribution network for sustainable electric power supply using shunt capacitor placement. The issue of power loss has been a major threat to a distribution network. A distribution network is expected to operate at certain voltage level to meet consumer’s energy demand. Power flow studies has been conducted using the Newton Raphson’s technique at the 30 bus, 11 kV Onuiyi-Nsukka distribution network. It was found that the voltage profile at buses 19 and 26 were critically violated with voltage amplitudes of 0.72 pu and 0.79 pu respectively. The feeder power quality was improved using a heuristic technique and the installation of a 1200KVAr shunt capacitor to keep bus voltage amplitudes within the legal limit of (0.95-1.05) pu. The voltage profile, active and reactive power losses on the network were determined. Active power loss and reactive power loss was reduced from 0.27MW to 0.12MW and 0.76Mvar to 0.14Mvar, respectively. Therefore, the voltage profile is enhanced and the power loss significantly reduced