Speech by incoming AMEU president
by Michael Rhode, AMEU President
 The theme for this year's convention was carefully and appropriately chosen as "Municipal distribution in a challenging environment". The record number of registered delegates, some 605, speaks to the appropriateness of this theme and it is my wish that delegates find the answers to their particular challenges... (more)
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Keynote address at the AMEU Convention 2010
by Ompi Aphane, Department of Energy, on behalf of the Minister of Energy
 The AMEU is an important stakeholder as we grapple with the challenges that the electricity sector faces. Last year we outlined a set of issues that we had identified as priorities for the year, in order to take the electricity distribution sector forward as it grapples with the challenges it faces... (more)
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Asset management regulatory compliance challenges
by Anton Booyzen and Sewes Fourie, Bigen Africa Services
Asset management in utilities is exposed to a plethora of legislative and statutory requirements as well as a myriad of frameworks, guidelines, norms and standards in addition to other pressures for compliance... (more) |
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International practices and trends for managing municipal and utility infrastructure
by M Damm, Fuseforward International
Asset management is a process of maintaining asset performance at a required level of service while minimising total life cycle cost. Integrated asset management systems provide information to support decision making on capital and operational spending, optimisation of infrastructure assets, and rehabilitation and eventual replacement of assets... (more) |
Asset management: an executive perspective
by Dr. W de Beer and N Waters, EDI Holdings
An integrated and holistic approach to the effective management of the asset base through its entire life cycle is fundamental to the success of an asset-centric business. Without executive management, strategic direction setting and active sponsorship of the asset management programme, business performance, at best, will be less than optimal... (more) |
Improving service delivery and revenue protection of split STS prepayment metering
by R Hill and H J Hayes, Landis+Gyr
The benefits of adding remote access terminals to split STS prepayment metering installations is described. Characteristics of two pilot sites are given, and interoperability and co-existence issues are noted and the end use capabilities of this form of "smart" prepayment system are compared with those of emerging "smart" AMI meters... (more) |
Electrical metering technology options in the municipal environment
by L de Nysschen, Actom Protection and Control
An overview of available metering technology is offered, providing the main features of each. Further, the benefits of utilising these metering technology options in a municipal environment are sketched. This then provides a platform from which conclusions can be drawn... ( more) |
Utility load manager position paper on the ULM system and future application
by Dr. V Lawrence, Eskom
The current system constraint that has seen load shedding implemented as a necessary means of stabilising the national grid, is set to continue until the new build programme is completed... (more) |
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More regulation! But what price safety?
by R Millard and L Fourie, PB PowerLab
Safety in the electricity distribution industry has always been a high priority but with the overwhelming skills shortage in the industry and the shortfall in funding for maintenance and replacement of old assets, safety standards have slipped and accident statistics are worrying... (more) |
Substation explosion
by B Gass, Actom Protection & Control
An 11 kV oil circuit breaker closed onto a fault at a main substation. The OCB exploded and the force of the blast blew off the substation doors, seriously damaging the building. The fire that followed destroyed all the equipment within the substation. This paper looks at the incident, the cause and the actions to be taken to prevent a recurrence of a similar incident... (more) |
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Political trends and issues relating to 21st century municipal service electricity delivery
by Councillor Visvin Reddy, eThekwini Municipality
Historically only 12% of South Africa had access to electricity, namely industries, mining and white urban areas. In 1993 this number grew to 36% (EFA-Electricity for All). By 2003, 70% had access - a success rate of over 250 000... ( more) |
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Strategic approach to skills development and staff retention
by A Vermaak, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
An electrical engineer was asked why he was leaving for London to take up a managerial position in an electrical supply company. His answer was that he desired a professional working environment so that he could grow. How do we create and sustain a professional working environment that inspires staff and produces the desired results... (more) |
Skills Development Act and staff retention
by M D Mokoala, Polokwane Municipality
The Skills Development Act was developed in response to the way companies operated in the past. Employers used to employ people without skills and then teach them or just develop skills via experience. These people were then given certain responsibilities without adding any incentives and formal education... ( more) |
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Provision of bulk municipal infrastructure by developers - a model that works
by R E Zietsman, Geopower
This paper proposes three funding models for the provision of mainly primary infrastructure by developers. These models are based on the experience gained and lessons learnt with several privately funded municipal primary infrastructure projects... (more) |
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Spreadsheet tool to compare metropolitan municipal tariffs and Eskom large customer tariffs
by Stephen Delport, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
The purpose of this paper is to point out the close relationship between the various large power user electricity tariffs, and those of municipalities. The results of the data sets are then applied to the various municipalities to compare the possible revenues that will be generated... ( more) |
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An analysis of municipal tariff determination
by Hendrik Barnard, Elexpert
Municipal distribution is in a challenging environment. This paper will throw some light on the challenges faced by some municipalities on some of the realities, challenges and solutions to this challenge with specific reference to tariffs and pricing... ( more) |
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Measures taken to address skills shortages from an eThekwini perspective
by Sandile Maphumulo, Ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality
Attraction and retention of scarce engineering skills is identified as the greatest risk to the sustainability of the industry and the delivery of services to communities. It must therefore become a strategic imperative... ( more) |
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Challenges to city growth due to area of supply disputes
by Robert Ferrier and Erlin Moll, Buffalo City Municipality
The face of South African municipalities has substantially changed over the last decade. Small municipalities have amalgamated into larger wall-to-wall municipalities and metros. This exercise reduced the number of functioning municipalities from over 1000 to 286 municipalities... ( more) |
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The impact of the Eskom tariff increases on municipalities
by CIr L G Kritzinger, Centlec
This paper addresses a number of questions - What was the tariff increase experienced? How much did the individual components increase - was it 29,9% or was it 300%? What was the financial impact of the tariff increases on the municipalities? What can municipalities do to adapt to the increases? Recommendations are given on what can be done in the future... ( more) |
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Energy loss management as part of utility financial sustainability
by A J van der Merwe and L P P Fourie, NetGroup SA
By quantifying the different elements of losses and utilising the other business economic parameters of the utility, management can effect utility financial improvements to the advantage of all customers and ensure sustainability. In effect this paper provides a managerial performance roadmap for the utility... ( more) |
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Energy loss management programme: Eskom Distribution
by M Maphaka, Eskom, S Naidoo and V Moodley, EON Consulting
Energy loss is of concern across South Africa and is an issue that many utilities around the globe face. This paper will explain how Eskom is addressing the energy loss issues experienced, what lessons have been learnt over the past few years, and what will be the areas of focus going forward... ( more) |
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Combating conductor theft in City Power areas
by Silas Zimu, City Power
The incidence of conductor and material theft is on the increase. As with other electricity distributors, City Power (CP) has been proactive in dealing with the problem of theft and is using various methods to combat this scourge... ( more) |
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Benchmarking in the South African EDI context
by Dr. W J de Beer, N Waters, L Annamalai, EDI Holdings
Benchmarking of distribution electric utility industry performance in the SA environment is discussed. In addition, given the performance data now available as a consequence of 33 completed municipal ringfencing projects, the paper provides a contextualisation of the data and an interpretation of the relative performance of the ringfencing participants... (more) |
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System performance (quality of supply, load shedding challenges)
by C L M Pierini, NETGroup
Power system performance is influenced by many factors. This report is a simplified look at the impact of protection equipment and protection settings on the performance of power systems and areas where this may be mitigated and/or improved. This paper is of an academic nature and does not quantify the results before and after intervention... (more) |
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Electricity supply vs. demand scenarios for the medium term
by Corrie Visagie, Eskom
It has been clear from events towards the end of 2007 and into 2008 that there is an inadequate supply-demand balance in South Africa. The global economic downturn during the second half of 2008 gave some temporary respite to the electricity system, but demand has already picked up to the 2008 levels and is growing... ( more) |
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Evolution of future electrical networks in Eskom
by Amal Khatri, Eskom
Eskom is facing a diverse range of social and economic challenges. This is hampering business progress and infrastructure growth. The key to having a sustainable business is the alignment of processes and technologies to meet the demands of present and future network uncertainties. Success will depend largely on the optimal use of assets and strategic investments... ( more) |
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Electricity supply challenges and lessons learnt from the 2010 Soccer World Cup
by Dr. C G Carter-Brown et al
In June and July 2010 South Africa hosted a world class FIFA Soccer World Cup, with 32 teams competing in 64 games without any supply interruptions to key sites during critical times. This paper summarises the activities of the South African electricity supply industry to coordinate preparations and ensure that the event was supplied with reliable high quality power... ( more) |
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Removing obstacles for emerging contractors
by W L O Fritz and D C Kallis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
At the 51st national ANC conference in December 2002 it was resolved that in the rationalising of electricity distribution, viable and affordable electricity supply should be ensured on the foundation of a minimum free basic electricity service to all households... (more) |
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