On the study of the performance of Photovoltaic power plants
- Authors: Serameng, Tshepo Joba
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Photovoltaic power generation , Solar energy Power resources Renewable energy sources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43401 , vital:36873
- Description: Performance monitoring of different module technologies and system configurations of photovoltaic (PV) systems in South Africa is rare, resulting in-few reports being published based on field results of PV systems installed and operated in South Africa. The goal of this work was to analyse and report on the performance of PV systems by evaluating the energy output of various PV system configurations and module technologies in the central part of South African (southern hemisphere) climatic conditions. To achieve this, a 400 kWp PV Solar plant has been installed and monitored since January 2015 at the Eskom Research and Innovation Centre (ERIC) in Rosherville, Gauteng (26°5'5" South, 28°5 8'1" East and 1625 m above mean sea level). The ERIC plant consists of multi-crystalline silicon (mc-Si) and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film technologies. The plant comprises of two 25° fixed-tilt north facing arrays, two east-west single axis tracking arrays and two 10° fixed shed orientation (East and West) for both module technologies and one north-south single axis tracking for mc-Si. The evaluation was achieved by studying the operation of the PV plant under different weather conditions and the impact of different configurations and technologies by analysing mainly in terms of specific yields normalized per m2 (kWh/kWp/m2). The first part of the study investigates the impact on the overall performance of different PV technologies as a function of the module mounting configuration. The second part presents the PVSyst yield validation for the Eskom Research and Innovation Centre (ERIC) solar PV plant. Normalised yield production calculations were performed for a fair comparison of various configurations. Although CIGS technology has a higher specific yield throughout the year, the normalised yield production per m2 shows that mc-Si technology out-performs CIGS in both fixed north facing and east-west tracking configurations. This study provides an insight to identify the optimal configuration and will also give an indication of suitability of PV technology for deployment in the central part of South Africa, once all design parameters are considered. This information is also useful in evaluating the operational benefits of the plant based on the net energy output. The monitored data and operating experience of the reported PV system can be applied for future projects. It is common at the beginning of any project for photovoltaic (PV) simulation tools to be utilized for yield prediction in order to estimate performance that can be expected. The purpose for PVSyst yield validation in this study was to validate the accuracy of the original PVSyst simulation that were performed using the satellite derived data, PVGIS satellite database for the ERIC PV plant. The validation is done using the actual ground measured solar resource datasets on site by importing them into PVSyst. A brief analysis of the results suggests that the PVSyst model seems to overestimate the yield output relative to the measured values. This due to out-door conditions and environmental factors impacting the PV site. These factors include power outages, module degradation and were unknown during the development phases when original simulations were performed. However, based on the statistical criteria and assessment, it can be concluded that the original PVSyst simulation results are accurate enough as per the MBE and RMSE percentages, however it is noted as well that the modified PVSyst results are more correlated to the measured results in comparison.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Serameng, Tshepo Joba
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Photovoltaic power generation , Solar energy Power resources Renewable energy sources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43401 , vital:36873
- Description: Performance monitoring of different module technologies and system configurations of photovoltaic (PV) systems in South Africa is rare, resulting in-few reports being published based on field results of PV systems installed and operated in South Africa. The goal of this work was to analyse and report on the performance of PV systems by evaluating the energy output of various PV system configurations and module technologies in the central part of South African (southern hemisphere) climatic conditions. To achieve this, a 400 kWp PV Solar plant has been installed and monitored since January 2015 at the Eskom Research and Innovation Centre (ERIC) in Rosherville, Gauteng (26°5'5" South, 28°5 8'1" East and 1625 m above mean sea level). The ERIC plant consists of multi-crystalline silicon (mc-Si) and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film technologies. The plant comprises of two 25° fixed-tilt north facing arrays, two east-west single axis tracking arrays and two 10° fixed shed orientation (East and West) for both module technologies and one north-south single axis tracking for mc-Si. The evaluation was achieved by studying the operation of the PV plant under different weather conditions and the impact of different configurations and technologies by analysing mainly in terms of specific yields normalized per m2 (kWh/kWp/m2). The first part of the study investigates the impact on the overall performance of different PV technologies as a function of the module mounting configuration. The second part presents the PVSyst yield validation for the Eskom Research and Innovation Centre (ERIC) solar PV plant. Normalised yield production calculations were performed for a fair comparison of various configurations. Although CIGS technology has a higher specific yield throughout the year, the normalised yield production per m2 shows that mc-Si technology out-performs CIGS in both fixed north facing and east-west tracking configurations. This study provides an insight to identify the optimal configuration and will also give an indication of suitability of PV technology for deployment in the central part of South Africa, once all design parameters are considered. This information is also useful in evaluating the operational benefits of the plant based on the net energy output. The monitored data and operating experience of the reported PV system can be applied for future projects. It is common at the beginning of any project for photovoltaic (PV) simulation tools to be utilized for yield prediction in order to estimate performance that can be expected. The purpose for PVSyst yield validation in this study was to validate the accuracy of the original PVSyst simulation that were performed using the satellite derived data, PVGIS satellite database for the ERIC PV plant. The validation is done using the actual ground measured solar resource datasets on site by importing them into PVSyst. A brief analysis of the results suggests that the PVSyst model seems to overestimate the yield output relative to the measured values. This due to out-door conditions and environmental factors impacting the PV site. These factors include power outages, module degradation and were unknown during the development phases when original simulations were performed. However, based on the statistical criteria and assessment, it can be concluded that the original PVSyst simulation results are accurate enough as per the MBE and RMSE percentages, however it is noted as well that the modified PVSyst results are more correlated to the measured results in comparison.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Experiences of medical practitioners regarding the accessing of information at the point-of-care via mobile technology for clinical decision making at public hospitals
- Van Rooyen, Annesty Elaine, Jordan, Portia
- Authors: Van Rooyen, Annesty Elaine , Jordan, Portia
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Clinical medicine -- Decision making , Point-of-care testing , Mobile computing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5554 , vital:20904
- Description: Medical practitioners are often unable to access medical and health information at the point-of-care, thus preventing them from providing quality healthcare. Family Health International 360 (FHI) provided medical practitioners with a locally relevant, reliable, and accurate comprehensive library of medical information on mobile computing devices (MCDs), at the point-of-care, as part of a project in collaboration with the Department of Health in the Eastern Cape Province. As part of the latter project, Ricks (2012:7) conducted an investigation into the impact that accessing health information at the point-of-care, via MCDs, had on the clinical decision-making practice of medical practitioners and professional nurses in public hospitals and primary healthcare settings in the Eastern Cape Province. The researcher identified a gap in the aforementioned study and was thus motivated to conduct this study to explore and describe the experiences of medical practitioners at public hospitals in further detail by conducting a qualitative study, as the previous study was quantitative. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore and describe the experiences of medical practitioners regarding the accessing of information at the point-of-care, via mobile technology, for clinical decision making at public hospitals. To achieve the purpose of the study, a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used. The research population comprised medical practitioners who were using MCDs to access information at the point-of-care for clinical decision making. Purposive sampling was used to select the research sample. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the necessary research data. Tesch’s steps were used to analyse the data. The principles for ensuring trustworthiness and ethical considerations were adhered to throughout the study. Two main themes and six sub-themes emerged in relation to the experiences of medical practitioners regarding the accessing of information at the point-of-care, for clinical decision making, via mobile technology. The main findings of the research highlighted the benefits and challenges that were experienced by the medical practitioners when using the MCDs for accessing information at the point-of-care for clinical decision making. The study concludes with recommendations pertaining to the areas of practise, education and research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Van Rooyen, Annesty Elaine , Jordan, Portia
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Clinical medicine -- Decision making , Point-of-care testing , Mobile computing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5554 , vital:20904
- Description: Medical practitioners are often unable to access medical and health information at the point-of-care, thus preventing them from providing quality healthcare. Family Health International 360 (FHI) provided medical practitioners with a locally relevant, reliable, and accurate comprehensive library of medical information on mobile computing devices (MCDs), at the point-of-care, as part of a project in collaboration with the Department of Health in the Eastern Cape Province. As part of the latter project, Ricks (2012:7) conducted an investigation into the impact that accessing health information at the point-of-care, via MCDs, had on the clinical decision-making practice of medical practitioners and professional nurses in public hospitals and primary healthcare settings in the Eastern Cape Province. The researcher identified a gap in the aforementioned study and was thus motivated to conduct this study to explore and describe the experiences of medical practitioners at public hospitals in further detail by conducting a qualitative study, as the previous study was quantitative. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore and describe the experiences of medical practitioners regarding the accessing of information at the point-of-care, via mobile technology, for clinical decision making at public hospitals. To achieve the purpose of the study, a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used. The research population comprised medical practitioners who were using MCDs to access information at the point-of-care for clinical decision making. Purposive sampling was used to select the research sample. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the necessary research data. Tesch’s steps were used to analyse the data. The principles for ensuring trustworthiness and ethical considerations were adhered to throughout the study. Two main themes and six sub-themes emerged in relation to the experiences of medical practitioners regarding the accessing of information at the point-of-care, for clinical decision making, via mobile technology. The main findings of the research highlighted the benefits and challenges that were experienced by the medical practitioners when using the MCDs for accessing information at the point-of-care for clinical decision making. The study concludes with recommendations pertaining to the areas of practise, education and research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Implementing an environmental management system in an automative component manufacturing firm
- Authors: Da Fonseca, Carlos Manuel
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa , Manufacturing processes -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa , Management -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8687 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1112 , Automobile industry and trade -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa , Manufacturing processes -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa , Management -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa
- Description: Environmental issues seem to be one of the most important topics in the globalised world. Organisations of all sizes are subject to pressure from suppliers, customers and governments to be more environmentally responsible. This research focuses on implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS) in the automotive industry, both internationally and in South Africa, and examines the background and concepts of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), as well as the key implementation phases associated with the implementation of an EMS, in accordance with ISO 14001. The problem statement of this research is to determine if it is possible to transfer, apply and sustain environmental concepts to small, medium or large organisations. The primary objectives of this research, therefore, were to determine: does implementation of an EMS provide economic benefits to organisations; what drives an organisation to first implement an EMS; does implementation of an EMS improve environmental awareness and performance; and what implementation barriers are faced by small, medium and large organisations. To achieve these objectives, a literary review and an empirical survey were conducted. The survey consisted of an electronic, self-administered questionnaire that was circulated to respondents at various automotive organisations. Data collected from completed, returned questionnaires were analysed and graphically presented to complete the research and achieve the primary research objectives toward solving the afore-mentioned problem statement. Based on the findings of this research, it can be concluded that there is much to gain from implementing an EMS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Da Fonseca, Carlos Manuel
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa , Manufacturing processes -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa , Management -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8687 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1112 , Automobile industry and trade -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa , Manufacturing processes -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa , Management -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa
- Description: Environmental issues seem to be one of the most important topics in the globalised world. Organisations of all sizes are subject to pressure from suppliers, customers and governments to be more environmentally responsible. This research focuses on implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS) in the automotive industry, both internationally and in South Africa, and examines the background and concepts of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), as well as the key implementation phases associated with the implementation of an EMS, in accordance with ISO 14001. The problem statement of this research is to determine if it is possible to transfer, apply and sustain environmental concepts to small, medium or large organisations. The primary objectives of this research, therefore, were to determine: does implementation of an EMS provide economic benefits to organisations; what drives an organisation to first implement an EMS; does implementation of an EMS improve environmental awareness and performance; and what implementation barriers are faced by small, medium and large organisations. To achieve these objectives, a literary review and an empirical survey were conducted. The survey consisted of an electronic, self-administered questionnaire that was circulated to respondents at various automotive organisations. Data collected from completed, returned questionnaires were analysed and graphically presented to complete the research and achieve the primary research objectives toward solving the afore-mentioned problem statement. Based on the findings of this research, it can be concluded that there is much to gain from implementing an EMS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Analysis of strategies used by an organisation to manage conflict
- Authors: Lourens, Ann Sharon
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Conflict management , Negotiation in business , Mediation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10828 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18 , Conflict management , Negotiation in business , Mediation
- Description: This research study addresses the problem of determining the strategies that can be used to manage conflict effectively. To achieve this objective a comprehensive literature study was performed to determine the views on conflict and various models of conflict. The study also included the reasons for and sources of conflict and the effects of conflict on an organisation. The next step was to identify the conflict management strategies that were revealed by the literature study. The appropriate conflict handling styles, how to improve organisational practices and special rules and structures were discussed as well as various suggestions from different authors on how to resolve a conflict situation. Based on the information obtained from the literature study a model was developed to serve as a guide to organisations to manage conflict effectively. Managers from a specific organisation were requested to complete questionnaires in order to determine the strategies used by their organisation to manage conflict. The questionnaire was developed in accordance with the findings from the research. The answers of the respondents were analysed and compared to the findings of the literature study. The information obtained from the literature study and from the respondents resulted in various recommendations and conclusions. The previously mentioned model that was developed was applied to the organisation, specifically addressing the pertinent issues as indicated by the respondents.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Lourens, Ann Sharon
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Conflict management , Negotiation in business , Mediation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10828 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18 , Conflict management , Negotiation in business , Mediation
- Description: This research study addresses the problem of determining the strategies that can be used to manage conflict effectively. To achieve this objective a comprehensive literature study was performed to determine the views on conflict and various models of conflict. The study also included the reasons for and sources of conflict and the effects of conflict on an organisation. The next step was to identify the conflict management strategies that were revealed by the literature study. The appropriate conflict handling styles, how to improve organisational practices and special rules and structures were discussed as well as various suggestions from different authors on how to resolve a conflict situation. Based on the information obtained from the literature study a model was developed to serve as a guide to organisations to manage conflict effectively. Managers from a specific organisation were requested to complete questionnaires in order to determine the strategies used by their organisation to manage conflict. The questionnaire was developed in accordance with the findings from the research. The answers of the respondents were analysed and compared to the findings of the literature study. The information obtained from the literature study and from the respondents resulted in various recommendations and conclusions. The previously mentioned model that was developed was applied to the organisation, specifically addressing the pertinent issues as indicated by the respondents.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
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