Doctor of Philosophy in Science Renewable Energy

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    Modeling, Simulation and Optimization of Solar Power Generation and Transmission in Uganda
    (2024) Ounyesiga Living
    This study addresses key challenges in the optimization and modeling of power systems, encompassing three main areas. Firstly, it analyses the traditional minimization of power losses in transmission lines, dominated by artificial intelligence techniques that lack a guarantee of global optimum. The gradient technique was introduced to efficiently minimize power losses by modifying the traditional power loss model. Empirical validation on specific transmission lines in Uganda demonstrates the superiority of the modified model in minimizing power losses. Secondly, this study highlights the dominance of lumped models in transmission systems, lacking space considerations and hindering the simulation of transmission losses. To address this, a proposed distributed or coupled system of thermal and power equations, accounting for both space and time was validated through simulations and empirical data from the Bujjagali - Kawanda transmission line. Lastly, the research focuses on the alarming underperformance (about 35%) in solar power generation in eastern Uganda, attributing it to the absence of extrinsic factors in the nominal cell operating temperature (NOCT) model. The study empirically introduced the missing factors and develops a mathematical model of second-order differential with empirical solar power generated in Busitema, Mayuge, Soroti, and Tororo study areas. The unmodified (modified) models for Bujagali – Kawanda 220 kV and Masaka West – Mbarara North 132 kV transmission lines in Uganda showed maximum power losses of 0.406023685 (0.39112869) and 0.451933075 (0.445513943) kW/km/phase respectively. Secondly, the transmission percentage losses ranged from 0.03 to 0.06%, which is consistent with the 3.6% recommended by the Electricity Regulatory Authority, Uganda. Thirdly, based on the RMSEs (0.6437, 0.6692, 0.2008, 0.1804, respectively), the gaps between designed and operational solar power generation were minimized. Furthermore, Mayuge recorded the highest solar power generation of 9.028 MW compared to Busitema (8.622 MW), Soroti (8.901 MW), and Tororo (8.345 MW), suggesting that it has a conducive site for installing future solar plants. The above results are useful for operation, design and management of solar power generation and transmission in Uganda and elsewhere.