WSU RESEARCHERS DEVELOP POWER REDIRECTION TECHNIQUE TO CURB ELECTRICITY OUTAGES

Two researchers from WSU’s Department of Electrical Engineering have undertaken a study aimed at exploring advanced methods to improve the reliability of electrical distribution systems (EDS) in South Africa.

Impelled by the country’s persistent energy supply crisis, Sinawo Nomandela, a lecturer and Lubabalo Mcunukelwa, an advanced diploma student, co-wrote and published a paper titled: Systematic Development and Testing of an Overcurrent Protection-based Power Redirection Technique for an Electrical Distribution System.

Nomandela, an expert in the fields of Power Systems Stability, Renewable Energies and Substation Automation, said that the study focused on developing a power redirection technique that maintains electricity supply to customers during system faults by rerouting power through alternative feeders.

“Our primary inspiration was the issue of total power loss to customers during faults in an EDS when alternative options to maintain power have not been fully utilized. The study aims to improve system reliability by developing a protection system that can redirect power flow to maintain supply after isolating a faulted feeder,” said Nomandela.

The duo’s proposed technique, currently in its preliminary stage, is being tested using Real-Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) Hardware-in-the-Loop, which enables real-time testing under normal and fault conditions.

“The system uses overcurrent protection relays that detect faults and trigger circuit breakers to isolate faulty lines. Then, it uses alternative feeders to restore power to the disconnected loads. Think of it like a traffic detour, if one road [feeder] is blocked [faulty], traffic [electricity] is rerouted through another path,” Nomandela simplified.

For almost two decades, South Africa’s energy supply has faced immense pressure due to ageing infrastructure, increased demand, and inconsistent power generation, resulting in frequent outages and the implementation of loadshedding.

Nomandela asserted that their technique could offer a more resilient electricity supply by reducing the number of customers affected by power outages even during fault conditions.

Through this technique, industries and communities would benefit from reduced downtime during faults, improved reliability in electricity supply, and a more resilient distribution system, which are crucial for critical areas such as hospitals, schools, and factories.

“The technique is very applicable and timely. Given the ongoing grid issues and the need for cost-effective, scalable solutions, this technique offers a way to maximize existing infrastructure and improve reliability without requiring much effort,” said Nomandela.

By Yanga Ziwele