Energy loss interventions

We are implementing a number of energy efficiency interventions to reduce energy losses in the main transmission and distribution system

• System planning criteria and equipment specification:

  
  The intervention takes the form of increased capital expenditure compared to conventional design approaches in order to reduce active energy losses. In the 2008 financial year, Transmission commissioned the Beta – Delphi 400kV line. The operational cost reduction investment used to justify the project was an annual peak reduction of 59MW in losses. This investment has resulted in energy loss saving above 130GWh for the 2008 financial year.

• Reactive power control:

  
  This comprises the commissioning of voltage and VAR dispatch system, allowing for the optimal dispatch of reactive power sources to minimise transmission losses. This is aimed at reducing reactive power flow and the associated conduction losses.

• Meter audits

  
  We continue to audit increasing numbers of meters and the recovery results are encouraging. We are testing “secured split metering” for use in areas where meter by-passes are found to be very high. Installation of meters at local feeder level has also commenced to localise energy losses identification.

• Investing in power factor correction equipment and communication

  
  We are also investing and/or encouraging our customers to invest in power-factor correction equipment that reduce technical losses and frees up transfer capacity on our networks. We are planning an external communication campaign to ensure that stakeholders are informed of the importance of this initiative.

While the underlying practicalities, such as enabling legislation and the safety of Eskom officials in “no-go-areas”, cannot be ignored, the underlying commitment and contribution to energy loss reductions requires far higher emphasis and practical support across the entire electricity industry sector.