A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Development of a least cost energy supply model for the SADC region
Includes bibliographical references. ; Energy plays a pivotal role in economic growth and improving livelihoods. Although better supply of energy does not automatically guarantee an acceleration of human development, it is a prerequisite for it. It is essential for preparation and conservation of food, for sanitation and for all productive activity. Finding effective means of providing safe, affordable and reliable energy services is therefore of critical importance to governments and organisations endeavouring to promote sustainable development. Energy also places excessive strain on investment capital in developing countries. It is not uncommon for an African country to spend over 30% of its development budget on the energy sector. Limiting the need for capital expenditure in the energy sector could therefore free up resources for other pressing needs. To address these issues, this dissertation develops an energy system model for the SADC region using the TIMES framework. The model is an optimisation tool designed to find least cost energy supply strategies. It has an individual representation of each country in the region, but allows them to trade in energy. This makes it possible to evaluate coordinated strategies and pooling of resources, and thus to identify solutions that benefit the region as a whole. Because of the uneven distribution of energy resources there is significant scope for cost reductions through trade and cooperative efforts, if appropriate strategies are developed. Short country profiles that describe each country's energy sector were compiled from the data available in the public domain and are presented. It was found that energy statistics for the region are generally poor, especially on the demand side, and only available at an aggregated level. Due to data constraints the model does not include a detailed description of the demand side. It targets the electricity supply sector and focuses on the expansion of the regional generation and transmission infrastructure. The analysis is scenario based and examines the impact of changes in economic growth, discount rate and trade policies. The results from the scenarios are distilled into a robust expansion plan that is sufficient to sustain economic growth at a rate equal to that estimated in the short to medium term by the World Bank. The plan is presented in some detail along with the corresponding investment capital requirements. The analysis supports the hypothesis that increased trade can reduce the cost of energy supply in the SADC region.
Development of a least cost energy supply model for the SADC region
Includes bibliographical references. ; Energy plays a pivotal role in economic growth and improving livelihoods. Although better supply of energy does not automatically guarantee an acceleration of human development, it is a prerequisite for it. It is essential for preparation and conservation of food, for sanitation and for all productive activity. Finding effective means of providing safe, affordable and reliable energy services is therefore of critical importance to governments and organisations endeavouring to promote sustainable development. Energy also places excessive strain on investment capital in developing countries. It is not uncommon for an African country to spend over 30% of its development budget on the energy sector. Limiting the need for capital expenditure in the energy sector could therefore free up resources for other pressing needs. To address these issues, this dissertation develops an energy system model for the SADC region using the TIMES framework. The model is an optimisation tool designed to find least cost energy supply strategies. It has an individual representation of each country in the region, but allows them to trade in energy. This makes it possible to evaluate coordinated strategies and pooling of resources, and thus to identify solutions that benefit the region as a whole. Because of the uneven distribution of energy resources there is significant scope for cost reductions through trade and cooperative efforts, if appropriate strategies are developed. Short country profiles that describe each country's energy sector were compiled from the data available in the public domain and are presented. It was found that energy statistics for the region are generally poor, especially on the demand side, and only available at an aggregated level. Due to data constraints the model does not include a detailed description of the demand side. It targets the electricity supply sector and focuses on the expansion of the regional generation and transmission infrastructure. The analysis is scenario based and examines the impact of changes in economic growth, discount rate and trade policies. The results from the scenarios are distilled into a robust expansion plan that is sufficient to sustain economic growth at a rate equal to that estimated in the short to medium term by the World Bank. The plan is presented in some detail along with the corresponding investment capital requirements. The analysis supports the hypothesis that increased trade can reduce the cost of energy supply in the SADC region.
Development of a least cost energy supply model for the SADC region
Alfstad, Thomas (author) / Bennett, Kevin
2004-01-01
Theses
Electronic Resource
English
DDC:
690
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