Repository logo
 

Research Publications (Engineering and Built Environment)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/215

Browse

Start date: 2022Subject: search.filters.subject.Power interconnection

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    A load flow analysis of the southern African power pool interconnections using high voltage AC, high voltage DC, and flexible AC transmission system
    (IEEE, 2022-08-22) Ndlela, Nomihla W.; Davidson, Innocent Ewaen
    Globally, the importance of power interconnections is growing due to the possibility of power exchange, Thus, the effective solution of bulk power transmission over large distances is achievable with High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) which has losses along the transmission line. High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) uses converters to transform AC power into DC, resulting in superior active and reactive power compensation and reduced losses. The Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) combines shunt and series convectors for improved voltage control and power stability, and it enables the transmission of large amounts of electricity over long distances with lower losses than a conventional system. This study implements a load flow model between three substations with bulk power coupled by long-distance transmission lines to compare and conclude which technology is best for transferring bulk power over long distances to offer secure and sustainable electricity.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Reliability and security analysis of the southern Africa power pool regional grid
    (IEEE, 2022-08-22) Ndlela, Nomihla W.; Davidson, Innocent Ewaen
    Over the last decade, Southern Africa has experienced power outages. This is due to insufficient electrical power supply systems, as well as load development in areas that were not sufficiently planned for. The Southern African countries can have a reliable, sustainable, and efficient electrical power grid with the use of power interconnections to exchange power. The primary difficulty with the present grid is to generate electricity using the old electrical infrastructure while also serving loads inside national borders. Most Southern Africa interconnections were implemented in 1995, after the formation of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). It was discovered that when electricity interconnection grows larger, the network system becomes more complex. Additionally, power connectors may encounter issues with frequency and voltage control. Numerous Southern African countries are unable to fulfill peak demand within their borders due to population n growth and aging infrastructure, resulting in electrical shortages. This article discusses the results on how to improve grid reliability by controlling voltages with a static var compensator. The remainder of the study discusses an efficient technique for optimizing the current SAPP power network through the use of High Voltage Direct Current Line Commutated Converter (HVDC-LCC) links and as a component of the Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS)
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Power planning for a smart integrated African super-grid
    (IEEE, 2022-01-25) Ndlela, Nomihla Wandile; Davidson, Innocent E.
    Africa's population has increased sharply from 364 million in 1970 to 1.3 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach 2.0 billion by 2050, representing the world's largest labor pool. Rapid growth in African population, generation capacity constraints, belated investment in new electricity infrastructure, load growth in unplanned areas, poor maintenance of existing power assets are some of Africa's critical challenges. These have resulted in demand outstripping available power generation capacity, leading to electricity shortages, load shedding, a huge backlog of unserved customers, and low economic growth. This paper presents the concept of a Smart Integrated African Super Grid, designed to energize Africa's emerging economy. In this paper, the five African Power pools are discussed, and the schemes for harnessing Africa's untapped renewable energy resources. A methodology is proposed to use highly complex power system controllers to integrate the African power pools, into a super-grid that absorbs large penetration of renewable powers using dispersed interconnected low voltage micro-grids, without compromising on power quality, stability, technical loss reduction, sustainability, and system reliability.