Welcome to the
POWER SYSTEMS RESEARCH GROUP
RESEARCH
The Power Systems Research Group (PSRG) studies the impacts of increasing variable renewable energy (VRE) generation and changing customer behaviour on the traditional electrical power system. The group is housed within the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Stellenbosch University, and forms a part of the Eskom Power Plant Engineering Institute’s Specialisation Centres network.
The research activities are ultimately aimed at supporting the system operation, network planning and long-term capacity planning functions within the South African power industry. Strong partnerships with South Africa’s national utility, Eskom, and local municipal utilities support this aim.
PSRG’s research focuses extensively on data analytics, the application of machine-learning techniques (such as optimisation, classification and clustering) and forecasting / probabilistic methodologies.
PSRG Research Interests
UNDERSTANDING SOURCES
OF VARIABILITY IN THE
POWER SYSTEM
- Weather & Climate
- Customer behaviour
- Technological factors
CHARACTERISATION OF
VARIABILITY AND
UNDERSTANDING ITS IMPACT
- RE generation power conversion
- Ancillary services methods and value
- Ramping and cycling of traditional
generation technologies - Accuracy of inputs into long-term energy models
- Load modelling
APPLICATIONS TO SUPPORT
POWER SYSTEM PLANNING
AND OPERATIONS
- Geospatial optimisation and aggregation
- Optimal commitment and dispatch of
generation - Optimal control of DERs
- Optimal deployment of DERs
- Data analytics, forecasting & machine learning
- DER safety, fault response & quality of supply
PEOPLE
Academic staff
Post-doctoral fellows and Engineers
Dr Amaris Dalton
Wind power prediction, power system modelling, and investigating the applications of atmospheric state classification and downscaling to wind power production.
Dr Justice Chihota
Power system planning considering uncertainty and the integration of distributed energy resources
Doctoral Students
Christina Auret
PhD Electrical Engineering:
Impact of renewable energy integration cost on the long term planning of the South African energy mix
Josh Dippenaar
PhD Electrical Engineering:
A technical and regulatory framework for electric vehicle hosting on low voltage distribution networks
Lewis Waswa
PhD Electrical Engineering:
Active distribution network planning considering the integration of variable renewable energy systems
Ndamulelo Mararakanye
PhD Electrical Engineering:
Power system flexibility optimisation in grids with high share of variable renewable energy systems
Nikkie Korsten
PhD in Environmental Management at School of Public Leadership:
The impact of residential rooftop PV on low-income electricity consumers in South Africa
Masters Students
Charles Sias
Masters Electrical Engineering:
Investigating the viability of micro grid installations as a deferral option for network capacity upgrades
Chris Abraham
Masters Electrical Engineering:
Feasibility of electric minibus-taxis in sub-Saharan Africa, while evaluating opportunities for renewable energy charging infrastructure
Daniel Banks
Masters Electrical Engineering:
Wideband characterisation of power transformers using the Pseudo-Random Impulse Sequence (PRIS)
Johannes De Bruyn
Masters Electrical Engineering:
Probabilistic analysis of the transmission network in the Northern Cape with the goal of determining congestion levels
Daniello Mouton
Masters Electrical Engineering:
Investigate the future flexibility requirements of the Namibian grid given the planned increase in VRE uptake
Ian Gerber
Masters Electrical Engineering:
In situ parameter estimation of a machine using a Pseudo-Random Impulse Sequence (PRIS)
Johannes Lambrechts
Masters Electrical Engineering:
The effects of superharmonics in power networks due to inverters and inverter control schemes
Leigh Bongers
Masters Electrical Engineering:
Reanalysis of South African power system operating reserves requirements given the increasing uptake of variable renewable energy sources
Lukas van Eck
Masters Electrical Engineering:
The impact of autonomous inverters on a South African distribution network
Mark Reuter
Masters Electrical Engineering:
Towards optimal scheduling – Thermal unit commitment with high share of VRE generation using data-driven optimization methods
Aiden Kyle Rhode
Masters Electrical Engineering:
DER design: An AI-based methodology to establish an optimisation index and DER design
Panduleni Ayihe Ndengu
Masters Electrical Engineering:
Exploring the Value of Adding Energy Storage System to a Wind Farm to Alleviate the Wind Energy Forecast Error Penalty Costs in South Africa
Munyaradzi Keith Mupazviriho
Masters Electrical Engineering:
Impacts of climate change on future VRE generation
Graduated Students
Ria Xavier (Masters Electrical Engineering, 2022): The Coordination and control of smart inverters utilizing Volt-VAr and Volt-Watt in low voltage networks, and opportunities for South Africa
Chantelle van Staden (PhD Electrical Engineering, 2022): Geospatial capacity allocation framework of wind and solar photovoltaic renewable generation for optimal grid support
Carmen Lewis (PhD Electrical Engineering, 2021): Modelling atmospheric transmittance for clear-sky spectral solar radiation in practical applications
Warren Farmer (PhD Electrical Engineering, 2021): A novel approach to identify frequency transient (un)stable sub-networks in low-inertia power systems with high renewable energy penetration
Jason Samuels (PhD Electrical Engineering, 2021): Electrical-energy in schools with a focus on behavioural and efficiency interventions
Evan Weyermuller (Masters Electrical Engineering, 2021): Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems and data clustering for short-term load forecasting in capacity constrained market
Jana Breedt (Masters Electrical Engineering, 2021): A forecasting framework for demand forecasting of utility-scale electricity networks in a rapidly evolving power system environment
Amaris Dalton (PhD Electrical Engineering, 2021): The Role of Atmospheric State Classification in Understanding Wind Power Variability with Specific Applications to Ramp Event Discernmentand Probabilistic Power Flow Analysis
Danielle Lyners (Masters Electrical Engineering, 2021): Detection and Statistical Modelling of Output Power Ramp Events for Utility Scale Wind Energy Facilities
David Scheepers (Masters Electrical Engineering, 2021): Harmonic Resonance Assessment of Renewable Energy Power Plants on The Power System Using Resonant Mode Analysis
Kevin Buresh (Masters Electrical Engineering, 2021): Impacts of Electric Vehicle Charging in South Africa and Photovoltaic Carports as a Mitigation Technique
Courtney Rhoda (Masters Electrical Engineering, 2020): A Comprehensive Methodology for Impact Assessment Studies of Energy Storage Systems on Low Voltage Distribution Feeders
Lewis Waswa (Masters Electrical Engineering, 2020): A Probabilistic Estimation of the Capacity of Solar PV SSEGs Installed on a LV Feeder Network
PARTNERSHIPS
PSRG’s main funder is the Eskom Power Plant Engineering Institute (EPPEI), through its Specialisation Centre (SC) for Renewable Energy and Power System Simulation. This SC is situated within CRSES at Stellenbosch University.
Our partnership with EPPEI ensures that the group’s research activities remain closely aligned to industry’s needs. The EPPEI network of SCs also provides valuable input into our research, specifically the Energy Efficiency SC at the University of Cape Town and the HVAC SC at WITS University.
The CRSES acts as the central point of entry into Stellenbosch University for Renewable & Sustainable Energy activities and aims to build human capital and institutional capacity in South Africa in these fields through collaboration.
The CRSES was instrumental in securing the Eskom Chair in Power System Simulation for Stellenbosch University, and hosts the EPPEI SC for Renewable Energy and Power System Simulation.
These two Western Cape municipalities provide PSRG with valuable insight into challenges they are experiencing related to renewable energy integration into their distribution grids.
