Abstract
Ph.D. (Energy Studies)
The underlying assumption of this thesis is that information is critical for effective energy policy support. The objectives set and attained for this study were to:
• assess existing solutions to the problem of supplying energy information;
• consider developments in integrated conceptual solutions to the problems;
• identify and analyse data structures for providing a single integrated
information system as a solution;
• evaluate and identify local energy and economic data sources for input to the proposed system;
• provide a framework for information outputs in such an integrated system; and
• make recommendations on the practical implementation of the conceptual .
solution.
The concepts underlying the basic assumption, and other parameters were
clarified in Chapter 1. In particular, the link between policy formulation, modeling, and data collection, management and dissemination was shown.
A study and assessment of existing energy information systems was then carried out. This investigated national systems in South Africa and other countries, and the systems of three international organisations. The structure and management of these energy information systems was assessed, as was the degree to which each provided the necessary support for policy formulation. Legislation was, where applicable, also considered. It was determined from this study and assessment that there were no integrated information systems to provide adequate information for energy policy
makers through a single access point.
An integrated single access point system was postulated at the conceptual
level in Chapter 3. The major contribution to this conceptualisation is the
concept of a single standardised referential data set A single referential data
set can be used to classify all data at every level of the proposed integrated
national energy information system. This integrated approach supports
policy formulation and allows for the most efficient use of national resources
in maintaining information. The proposed system was considered as a data
flow model, to provide an overview of the collection, processing and
dissemination of data. Next, a system model was developed. This divided the
system into two broad divisions: the central control functions, including the
referential data set; and the data modules, which provide the structure for
capturing and maintaining the collected data. The final stage in this chapter
. was the development of a data model which shows the relationships between
the elements of the system model, particularly the relationship between the
referential data set and all other data.
In Chapter 4, this data model was developed further to identify entity sets
and their content descriptions. It indicates in tabular format the structure of
the different system components, and then shows diagrammatically the high
level linkages between these components; This analysis of the proposed
system is the precursor to work by systems analysts who are responsible for
the final design specifications for system software.
In Chapter 5 the objective was to determine sources of data for input to the
national system. The South African energy economy was briefly studied and
assessed for both supply and demand side information.
Finally in Chapter 6, a set of output templates was developed. Once fully
implemented, these will provide system users with all the necessary
information to support policy formulation. Desired outputs from a system
must be known before the system is designed, and are therefor included.