IERE African Forum was held in Cape Town ,South Africa during Nov.26-27, 2001 attended by 76 people. It was the first IERE Forum of Forum Suite held in developing economies to bridge the gap between developed and developing economies in electric power supply from technological aspect based on mutual benefit and to make up a common platform to find effective cooperation and communication methods including technology transfer both in engineering and in management.

November 26 (Monday) , 2001

1.            Opening Session

After the opening comment by Mr. R. Ballay, Chair of IERE, Dr. A. Covindassamy of World Bank presented a keynote address. He introduced ongoing financial support of World Bank to energy sector in Southern Africa in order to double the access to electricity from present 8 % to 16% in next 10 years. World Bank is increasing lending to extension of power supply in 2001 from the average US$ 150 M per year in past 5 years to US$ 700 M. Increased portion to 50% of the future investment will be assigned to electrification to fight against poverty and 30% to pre- and post-privatization project and remaining 20% to power system interconnection.

2.            Session 1 : International Interconnection and Rural Electrification

Mr. P. Naidoo of ESKOM explained about SAPP(South African Power Pool : total capacity 45GW) cooperation status and showed its future potential benefit. Prof. C.E. Dingley of Cape Town University showed possible saving of electric energy combined with environmental sustainability.

Mr. C. Nappez of EDF presented about decentralized rural electrification stressing on cost and cost recovery and partnership with fund and local community. Mr. D. Baker of EPRI introduced EPRI US Roadmap for future until 2050. He referred to 5 key interdependent goals or destinations among which is a goal of strengthening power delivery structure. Possible technologies to be applied to realize this are: distributed power generation, wide-area power flow control, advanced power electronics and energy storage technologies.

Dr. S. J. Lennon of ESKOM stressed the importance of rural electrification in developing countries integrated with other technologies to reduce costs of infrastructures as a key to keep sustainability of rural society, economy and environment. Mr. M. Trotignon of EDF introduced various advantages of international interconnection. In north Africa abundant gas resources can be effectively utilized by power system interconnection. Mr. K. Lakmeerharan presented about education and training in power system analysis in PIESA. Mr. A. Hepburn of PIESA spoke about non-technical power losses mainly caused by inaccurate meter reading. Ms. W. Poulten talked about environmental issues in PIESA and promotion of projects by coordinated activities.

Mr. S. Irokawa of Toshiba talked about new technologies of HVDC which can be used in international interconnection both by long distance transmission and by back-to-back uses.

Mr. J.M. Huacuz of IIE introduced electrification by PV application in remote rural areas in Mexico focusing on the development stage and quality assurance. Quality is affected by hardware, software and environmental conditions.

Prof. X. Hu of China EPRI presented experience and challenges to build the nation-wide interconnection of power grids in China. The purposes are to send power from west sources to east load centers, to reduce reserve requirements and to strengthen power networks. Required technologies are HVDC, FACTS and advanced coordinate controllers.

3.            Session 2 : BOT Projects and Dispersed Generation

Mr. M.G. Lauby of EPRI talked about possible future power systems where Distributed Resources(DR) of two types, a miniature, compact DR for residential and a DR attracting desired customers, will come to the power market. Mr. R. Surtees of ESKOM introduced the research about the demand side management under possible future competitive power market in South Africa. Mr. M. Howells of Cape Town University presented the integrated energy planning in South Africa based on several future scenarios. Dr. J.L. van Heerden of ESKOM Enterprises talked about research on future peak power generation by utilizing concentrating solar power and molten-salt energy storage. Mr. P. Mounie of EDF presented a large IPP project of 300MW Azito Power Plant in Ivory Coast. It will be increased to 450MW and completed as a combined cycle power plant in next stage.

November 27 (Tuesday) , 2001

4.  Keynote Address
   
Mr. T. Taneichi of TEPCO introduced the experiences in generation from renewable energy sources and energy storage. About PV power generation TEPCO installed various demonstration systems and obtained operation data useful for interconnection to distribution network. As for wind power, TEPCO installed several test plants ranging 100 to 300 kW and started a 500kW commercial operation in 2000. Most of them were installed in remote islands. TEPCO also applied NAS storage batteries to a wind power generation which was originally developed for the purpose of load leveling. TEPCO is also applying these experiences to the electrification of developing countries.

5.           Session 3 : Technology Development in Changing Institutional Context

Mr. C.J. Johnston of IEC explained the activities of IEC and its coordination with regional partners. IEC launched Affiliate Country Program in June, 2001 to newly industrializing countries. 61 countries were invited and 37 accepted to date. The participation is in electronic environment and without financial burden. Mr. P. Johnson of PIESA spoke about regional standards and work for rationalization of standards in PIESA within standards hierarchy in African electric power supply industry.

Dr. M.H. Yoon of KEPRI presented overview of Korean power industry and roadmap of power industry restructuring and privatization. In 2001, generation sector was separated from KEPCO to 5 fossil power and 1 nuclear power companies. In 2002, distribution sector will be separated to several distribution companies. After 2004, wholesale and retail competition is planned. Mr. A. Hepburn of PIESA explained about working group activities for low cost electrification in Southern Africa. Among various projects, single wire earth return, load limiters, shield wire, distribution automation, distributed generation and dynamic thermal conductor rating are in the priority list.

6.            Session 4 : How to Move toward Sustainable Future in Africa

This session is a breakout session and separated to following 3 groups.

1)  Group1 : Privileged Issues of Technology Needs seen from Africa
Mr. S. Iwashina of TEPCO presented environmental protection technologies of Japanese Power Companies and TEPCO focusing on the various technologies in fossil fuel power generation to decrease SOx and NOx emission, water treatment and landscape and greenery management.

Dr. S.J. Lennon of ESKOM presented technology roadmap of ESKOM. Environmental analysis and defined goal of competitiveness in the new arena leads to the importance of R&D strategy. Technological response is required in power systems, customer interfaces and services, asset and product performance, sustainable development, national and regional contribution and competition in e-business and so on.

Open discussion in this group recommended following proposals for IERE technology transfer to African countries north of South Africa as conclusion.

a)           to develop a generation and transmission and an electrification regional master plan
b)           to design new low cost solutions and to adapt locally manufactured equipments
c)           to introduce affordable gas emission mitigation and to increase operating efficiency
d)          to set up a technology transfer team and to present new ideas and transfer of these ideas


2)  Group 2 : How to Better Cooperate with Developed Countries----Technology Transfer and Key Factors to Success

Mr. G. Tosen of PIESA presented history, objectives, entities, activities, members, progress to date of PIESA and its future vision and strategies. Members of PIESA are 8 power companies in Southern Africa. PIESA�fs principal activities are regional cooperation in research, development and demonstration, standardization and technical resource development in the  electricity distribution industry. Unfortunately Mr. B. Munanga of UPDEA could not attend this meeting. However, he submitted the paper introducing UPDEA and harmonization of standards development by the cooperation with PIESA.

Open discussion in this group generated many proposed ideas which came to the following recommendation.

a)               For plan for a successful energization project, coordinated elements such as policy, technology, practices, organization, local commitment, resource flow, monitoring etc. is necessary.

b)               Training in electrification planning should be undertaken

c)               Foster South-South collaboration including people exchange


3)  Group 3 : Human Resources Issues

Mr. G.W. Lok of ESKOM explained retaining knowledge and skills within organization using knowledge management concepts. Reduction of manpower cost results in erosion of skills and experience-based knowledge. A computer-based method approach is under research including development of diagnostics system for simulated fault conditions.

Open discussion in this group reached following conclusions and recommendations

a)          Appropriate knowledge management should be a part of technology transfer

b)           Case studies are important

c)           IERE should have a specific working group

d)           Practices employed by members should be transferable

e)           Absolute key is in current context


4) Wrap up by animators of each group

Dr. S. J. Lennon, Animator of group 1, Mr. J. Begg, Animator of group 2 and Mr. M. Howells, Animator of group 3 successively made their speeches as wrap-ups of presentations and discussions in each group.

7.            Concluding Session----Report  from each session chair

Session Chairs, Dr. S. J. Lennon (Part1 of Session1), Mr. D. Baker(on behalf of Mr. M. G. Lauby : Part 2 of Session1), Dr. R. C. Ruiz(Session2), Dr. J. van Liere (Session3), Mr. G. Tosen(Session4) summarized and made comments on their sessions respectively.

8.            Closing Remarks

Dr. S. J. Lennon of ESKOM made a concluding speech with emphasis on the importance of partnership.

(#) Proceedings of this African Forum was issued on January 18, 2002 from IERE Central Office