Critical success factors for instrumentation and control projects within the power industry in South Africa
- Authors: Mathew, Sheeba
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) , Electric utilities - South Africa - Equipment and supplies , Electric utilities - Management , Demand-side management (Electric utilities) , Electric power distribution
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/242274 , uj:24984
- Description: M.Ing. (Engineering Management) , Abstract: The energy sector in South Africa has experienced major shortfalls in meeting the country’s energy demands. This lack of generating capacity is attributed to delays in the approval of new infrastructure and the increase in the country’s economic growth between the years 1994 and 2007 [1]. The electricity producer Eskom Holdings SOC (State Owned Company) Limited, has since implemented initiatives that are aimed to address the energy supply shortfalls. One such initiative is the refurbishment of the existing operational fleet of coal fired power stations. The overall intention of this initiative being to extend plant operating life, improve reliability and availability as well as to align these assets to current safety standards. The operating life of power stations often resides between forty to fifty years. Within this lifecycle instrumentation & control (I&C) upgrades are planned and executed to secure the continued reliable operation of the generating assets. These projects often entail the full upgrade or refurbishment of the power station’s process control system [2]. The research identifies the critical success factors to be considered for I&C projects rolled out within the energy generating sector in South Africa. The study is established on a comprehensive literature review that provides insight into the South African energy industry, I&C environment and business architectural framework processes. The review covers the spectrum of people, plant and processes and sheds light onto the critical success factors (CSFs) to be considered during the different project phases. The identified CSFs are used to formulate the framework of a survey distributed amongst key stakeholders from the operating, engineering, maintenance and project management fraternity. The results of the survey is analysed to identify the relevant CSFs across the different project phases. An insight into the organisation’s change management maturity is provided by evaluating the identified CSFs with those established through the literature review. The research work concludes with the proposal of CSFs for I&C projects within the power generation industry and provides recommendations for future studies.
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- Authors: Mathew, Sheeba
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) , Electric utilities - South Africa - Equipment and supplies , Electric utilities - Management , Demand-side management (Electric utilities) , Electric power distribution
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/242274 , uj:24984
- Description: M.Ing. (Engineering Management) , Abstract: The energy sector in South Africa has experienced major shortfalls in meeting the country’s energy demands. This lack of generating capacity is attributed to delays in the approval of new infrastructure and the increase in the country’s economic growth between the years 1994 and 2007 [1]. The electricity producer Eskom Holdings SOC (State Owned Company) Limited, has since implemented initiatives that are aimed to address the energy supply shortfalls. One such initiative is the refurbishment of the existing operational fleet of coal fired power stations. The overall intention of this initiative being to extend plant operating life, improve reliability and availability as well as to align these assets to current safety standards. The operating life of power stations often resides between forty to fifty years. Within this lifecycle instrumentation & control (I&C) upgrades are planned and executed to secure the continued reliable operation of the generating assets. These projects often entail the full upgrade or refurbishment of the power station’s process control system [2]. The research identifies the critical success factors to be considered for I&C projects rolled out within the energy generating sector in South Africa. The study is established on a comprehensive literature review that provides insight into the South African energy industry, I&C environment and business architectural framework processes. The review covers the spectrum of people, plant and processes and sheds light onto the critical success factors (CSFs) to be considered during the different project phases. The identified CSFs are used to formulate the framework of a survey distributed amongst key stakeholders from the operating, engineering, maintenance and project management fraternity. The results of the survey is analysed to identify the relevant CSFs across the different project phases. An insight into the organisation’s change management maturity is provided by evaluating the identified CSFs with those established through the literature review. The research work concludes with the proposal of CSFs for I&C projects within the power generation industry and provides recommendations for future studies.
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An analysis of Eskom’s strategic sourcing as a catalyst for supplier development
- Authors: Mbiko, Mzoxolo Elliot
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Industrial procurement - South Africa , Eskom (Firm)
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/124561 , uj:20931
- Description: Abstract: Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd (a State-Owned Company), Registration Number 2002/015527/30, is South Africa’s primary electricity supplier which is wholly owned by the South African government. Eskom’s mission is to provide sustainable electricity solutions to grow the economy and improve the quality of life of the people in South Africa and in the region. Owing to its strategic importance in the country, Eskom is compelled to procure different commodities and services strategically to ensure sustainable electricity provision to consumers while driving supplier development for security of supply. As a result, strategic sourcing was introduced as a way to procure commodities and supplier development as a mechanism to drive industry growth in the energy sector. To maximise multiple benefits for the company, integration and collaborative framework between strategic sourcing and supplier development is a fundamental aspect that should be given attention. The study analysed how strategic sourcing can be a catalyst for supplier development in Eskom. An exploratory research design and a mixed research methods (quantitative and qualitative) were employed. Non-probability purposive sampling was applied to select respondents and participants. Survey instruments (semi-structured questionnaires) were administered to commodity managers and middle managers in Commodity Sourcing and Supplier Development and Localisation departments respectively. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with executive management at Eskom. Data were analysed through content analysis. The results and findings of the study revealed that there is no unified and systematic approach on the planning, implementation and monitoring tasks between the two departments. It was found that procurement spend in Commodity Sourcing is used to drive supplier development objectives but commodity managers are not contracted on the objectives. Nevertheless, strategic sourcing is viewed as a great mechanism to advance supplier development objectives provided a joint planning, execution and monitoring and reporting is done appropriately. It is important that an operating model between the two departments or entire Group Commercial be reviewed and four recommendations and areas for future research are articulated. , M.Com. (Business Management)
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- Authors: Mbiko, Mzoxolo Elliot
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Industrial procurement - South Africa , Eskom (Firm)
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/124561 , uj:20931
- Description: Abstract: Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd (a State-Owned Company), Registration Number 2002/015527/30, is South Africa’s primary electricity supplier which is wholly owned by the South African government. Eskom’s mission is to provide sustainable electricity solutions to grow the economy and improve the quality of life of the people in South Africa and in the region. Owing to its strategic importance in the country, Eskom is compelled to procure different commodities and services strategically to ensure sustainable electricity provision to consumers while driving supplier development for security of supply. As a result, strategic sourcing was introduced as a way to procure commodities and supplier development as a mechanism to drive industry growth in the energy sector. To maximise multiple benefits for the company, integration and collaborative framework between strategic sourcing and supplier development is a fundamental aspect that should be given attention. The study analysed how strategic sourcing can be a catalyst for supplier development in Eskom. An exploratory research design and a mixed research methods (quantitative and qualitative) were employed. Non-probability purposive sampling was applied to select respondents and participants. Survey instruments (semi-structured questionnaires) were administered to commodity managers and middle managers in Commodity Sourcing and Supplier Development and Localisation departments respectively. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with executive management at Eskom. Data were analysed through content analysis. The results and findings of the study revealed that there is no unified and systematic approach on the planning, implementation and monitoring tasks between the two departments. It was found that procurement spend in Commodity Sourcing is used to drive supplier development objectives but commodity managers are not contracted on the objectives. Nevertheless, strategic sourcing is viewed as a great mechanism to advance supplier development objectives provided a joint planning, execution and monitoring and reporting is done appropriately. It is important that an operating model between the two departments or entire Group Commercial be reviewed and four recommendations and areas for future research are articulated. , M.Com. (Business Management)
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Die ekonometriese modellering van elektrisiteitsverkope deur Eskom in die Johannesburg en Pretoria gebiede
- Authors: Van der Bergh, Juanita
- Date: 2014-05-21
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) , Econometric models - South Africa - Gauteng , Electric utilities - South Africa - Gauteng
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11146 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10738
- Description: M.Com. (Econometrics) , An attempt has been made in this study to model electricity sales of Eskom with the aid of an econometric model. The study examines the history of econometric modeling and the applications thereof. These applications include forecasting, policy simulation and policy analysis. The sales of electricity within the specific sales categories is estimated and simulated with the use of an econometric model. The model is specified according to the expected dependent and explanatory variables. The a priori theoretical considerations concerning the size and sign of the parameters of the function are also included in the specification, as well as the mathematical form of the model. The specification process of the econometric model is based on econometric theory and on available information relating to the phenomenon being studied. The method of ordinary least squares is used in the estimation of the parameters of the model. As this is an econometric study, the emphasis is on the evaluation of the results. Economic a priori criteria, statistical criteria and econometric criteria are used to evaluate the results of the parameters obtained by the method of ordinary least squares. Several tests, including the Goldfeld Quandt test for heteroscedasticity, the Durbin-Watson test for auto correlation and the Frisch analysis of multicollinearity are executed. The overall results of the tests to which the model was subjected, was satisfactory. The best functions are combined in a structured model. This model is simulated with the use of the Gauss-Seidel-method and forecasts of historical values are obtained. Statistical tests for the validation of these results, as well as Theil's inequality coefficient are applied to test the forecasting power of the model. The results of the ex post forecast for the period 1988.1 to 1995.1 emphasize the usefulness of the model as a forecasting device and the dynamic simulation demonstrates the ability of the model to reproduce the historical data from which it is estimated.
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- Authors: Van der Bergh, Juanita
- Date: 2014-05-21
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) , Econometric models - South Africa - Gauteng , Electric utilities - South Africa - Gauteng
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11146 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10738
- Description: M.Com. (Econometrics) , An attempt has been made in this study to model electricity sales of Eskom with the aid of an econometric model. The study examines the history of econometric modeling and the applications thereof. These applications include forecasting, policy simulation and policy analysis. The sales of electricity within the specific sales categories is estimated and simulated with the use of an econometric model. The model is specified according to the expected dependent and explanatory variables. The a priori theoretical considerations concerning the size and sign of the parameters of the function are also included in the specification, as well as the mathematical form of the model. The specification process of the econometric model is based on econometric theory and on available information relating to the phenomenon being studied. The method of ordinary least squares is used in the estimation of the parameters of the model. As this is an econometric study, the emphasis is on the evaluation of the results. Economic a priori criteria, statistical criteria and econometric criteria are used to evaluate the results of the parameters obtained by the method of ordinary least squares. Several tests, including the Goldfeld Quandt test for heteroscedasticity, the Durbin-Watson test for auto correlation and the Frisch analysis of multicollinearity are executed. The overall results of the tests to which the model was subjected, was satisfactory. The best functions are combined in a structured model. This model is simulated with the use of the Gauss-Seidel-method and forecasts of historical values are obtained. Statistical tests for the validation of these results, as well as Theil's inequality coefficient are applied to test the forecasting power of the model. The results of the ex post forecast for the period 1988.1 to 1995.1 emphasize the usefulness of the model as a forecasting device and the dynamic simulation demonstrates the ability of the model to reproduce the historical data from which it is estimated.
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Cost analysis : power generation plants versus demand side management programmes
- Authors: Mulongo, Ndala Yves
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Electric power-plants - South Africa - Costs , Electric power-plants - South Africa - Management , Electric power-plants - South Africa - Equipment and supplies , Eskom (Firm)
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/213026 , uj:21068
- Description: Abstract: Over the last decade, South Africa has been experiencing an electricity supply crisis. This power crisis has been threatening the stability of the national power grid. The crisis was caused by insufficient generation capacity as well as an increased demand for electricity. In order to counteract this situation, the state owned electricity utility, Eskom decided to increase its power capacity by building new power plants, and implementing demand side management (DSM) initiatives to save energy. All of this came at a cost. Therefore, the present study was aimed at helping decision makers in the South African electricity sector to decide on the optimum funding allocation for the above projects. The research methodology adopted in this study was cost analysis. Three levels of cost comparison were developed in this study. These were based on power generating technologies (coal, gas, nuclear, wind, concentrated solar power, and solar photovoltaic), and on DSM programmes (residential mass rollouts, standard offer programme, standard product programme, performance contracting programme, and energy services companies model mass rollouts). The first level analysed the costs of building power plants as well as costs of producing electricity using different power generating technologies. The second level analysed the costs of implementing DSM programmes as well as costs of saving energy by implementing DSM programmes. Lastly, the third level analysed the costs of building power plants against the costs of implementing DSM programmes, as well as assessing the costs of producing electricity versus the costs of saving energy. The results for both power plants and DSM measures were tested through sensitivity analyses. At the first comparison, it was revealed that renewable energy technologies have the highest costs, higher than other generating technologies. At this level, a conclusion was drawn up in three parts noting that (1) although renewable technologies are expensive, they should be given more weight due to the fact that they are inexhaustible, (2) they guarantee safety to the environment, and (3) they do not emit greenhouse gases into the environment. At the second level of cost comparison, it was demonstrated that residential mass rollout (RMR) has the highest cost, higher than any other programme. At this level, it was concluded that due to the target market of RMR, which is residential sector, RMR should be given more weight, because more energy is wasted in this sector. It was further observed that residential consumers use a lot of electricity during peak period, and this increases during the winter season. The third level of cost comparison demonstrated that DSM measures were the resource alternative available at the lowest cost to the electricity utility. Hence, DSM initiatives could help to alleviate power outages issues and therefore, delay the need for building new power plants. Since DSM initiatives were found to be cheaper to run, their implementations meant that the utility would save billions of Rand by not using large amounts of water, coal, fuel, operating the plant at lower levels of intensify and doing less maintenance on the power plant. , M.Ing. (Engineering Management)
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- Authors: Mulongo, Ndala Yves
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Electric power-plants - South Africa - Costs , Electric power-plants - South Africa - Management , Electric power-plants - South Africa - Equipment and supplies , Eskom (Firm)
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/213026 , uj:21068
- Description: Abstract: Over the last decade, South Africa has been experiencing an electricity supply crisis. This power crisis has been threatening the stability of the national power grid. The crisis was caused by insufficient generation capacity as well as an increased demand for electricity. In order to counteract this situation, the state owned electricity utility, Eskom decided to increase its power capacity by building new power plants, and implementing demand side management (DSM) initiatives to save energy. All of this came at a cost. Therefore, the present study was aimed at helping decision makers in the South African electricity sector to decide on the optimum funding allocation for the above projects. The research methodology adopted in this study was cost analysis. Three levels of cost comparison were developed in this study. These were based on power generating technologies (coal, gas, nuclear, wind, concentrated solar power, and solar photovoltaic), and on DSM programmes (residential mass rollouts, standard offer programme, standard product programme, performance contracting programme, and energy services companies model mass rollouts). The first level analysed the costs of building power plants as well as costs of producing electricity using different power generating technologies. The second level analysed the costs of implementing DSM programmes as well as costs of saving energy by implementing DSM programmes. Lastly, the third level analysed the costs of building power plants against the costs of implementing DSM programmes, as well as assessing the costs of producing electricity versus the costs of saving energy. The results for both power plants and DSM measures were tested through sensitivity analyses. At the first comparison, it was revealed that renewable energy technologies have the highest costs, higher than other generating technologies. At this level, a conclusion was drawn up in three parts noting that (1) although renewable technologies are expensive, they should be given more weight due to the fact that they are inexhaustible, (2) they guarantee safety to the environment, and (3) they do not emit greenhouse gases into the environment. At the second level of cost comparison, it was demonstrated that residential mass rollout (RMR) has the highest cost, higher than any other programme. At this level, it was concluded that due to the target market of RMR, which is residential sector, RMR should be given more weight, because more energy is wasted in this sector. It was further observed that residential consumers use a lot of electricity during peak period, and this increases during the winter season. The third level of cost comparison demonstrated that DSM measures were the resource alternative available at the lowest cost to the electricity utility. Hence, DSM initiatives could help to alleviate power outages issues and therefore, delay the need for building new power plants. Since DSM initiatives were found to be cheaper to run, their implementations meant that the utility would save billions of Rand by not using large amounts of water, coal, fuel, operating the plant at lower levels of intensify and doing less maintenance on the power plant. , M.Ing. (Engineering Management)
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