ABSTRACT
Today, the world is fast moving in the area of Information
and Communication Technology (ICT). With the use of Spatial Technology and
subsequent development of Web GlS evolving, the operations, services and
management of several industries in the world over are flourishing.
Electricity as utility is inimical to the socio-economic
development of any country. The generation, transmission and distribution of
power electricity come with lots of challenges. This study aimed at using
Spatial Technology to enhance ECG business. Adentan Municipality was used as a
study area and data on user requirement was gathered.
Geomatic measurement techniques were employed in spatial
data acquisition. The task of development of ECG-GlS Customer Information
System was put into data acquisition, data processing, geo-database development
and system design phases respectively. A user friendly ECG-GlS Customer
Information System comprising of four modules, Customer Activity, Customer
Database, Geo-database and System settings was developed and deployed. The
system is centrally web based, dynamic and has the ability to track ECG
customers’ information on billing with ease.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
Electricity as utility is of much value and potency in the
life of mankind (Piepmeier 1995). The generation, transmission and distribution
of Electricity on both commercial (industry) and domestic (household) levels is
inimical to the socio-economic development and growth of any country and the
world over (Bergasse 2013). The demand and supply of electricity comes with a
cost element. The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) whose core mandate is to
distribute Electricity is as well responsible to generate revenue to finance
its services (ECG Annual Report 2010). One of the major challenges that affect
the delivery of reliable supply of Electricity by ECG is their inability to
mobilize revenue efficiently (ECG Annual Report 2012). The act of illegal
connection, toppled with power theft is a huge burden that affects ECG revenue
mobilization.
According to the International Energy Agency (2013), nations
like; Russia, Brazil and South Africa will need huge investment for global
electricity supply in terms of production to overtake in the world industry of
oil between the duration of 2010-2035 in order to keep pace with the increasing
demand.
Africa has vast energy resources, far above its own needs
(Bergasse, 2013). However, Scott (2015), has revealed that majority of the
population in Africa do not have any supply of electricity, and the power
producers are unable to meet the high call for power.
GIS can be applied in spatial analysis to determine load of
electricity on transmission lines to find out location feasibility, and study
resource market dynamics in Africa (ESRI, 2005).
In a comparative analysis of two blocks within the African
continent, the International Renewable Energy Agency (2012), have noted that
almost all countries at the North of Africa are fully electrified but the rate
of electricity distribution in sub-Saharan Africa is only 35% and much lower in
the remote areas. Fabini et al. (2014), narrowed the argument by establishing
that easiness and availability of electricity still remains uneven as it has
been estimated that close to 550 million populace need electricity in
sub-Saharan Africa. For about 48 countries in Africa, majority of the
population have limited or no access to electricity at all and as a result,
about 30 out of 48 countries experience daily blackouts (IRCA, 2012).
ESRI (2005), have outlined that, the Republic of South Africa
was the seventh largest electric company in the world per its generation
capacity and sales. In further explanation, South Africa’s electrical
requirements provide its citizens with more power which is close to 50 percent
of the electricity produced in Africa.
In Uganda, it has been established that the ever-growing
demand for electricity has exceeded real consumption. This is due to limited
supply which has exasperated the current load shedding that is imposed almost
daily on urban consumers in Kampala and its environs where demand is deemed
greatest (Kaijuka, 2006).
Many methods to reduce high demand predictions, originally
used social science methods such as research, longitudinal studies and stated
preferences for critical assessment and willingness to pay (Fabini et al.,
2014).
ESRI (2010), has outlined GIS functions to aid in electricity
conveyance from the source production to the final destination. In Ghana, the
Volta River Authority (VRA) produce power as utility. Eskom is a company in
South Africa which engages in the production and distribution of electricity in
the country. Kaijuka (2006), has reiterated that Ghana’s Akosombo dam, is one of Africa’s largest
hydropower plants and its contribution to the economy is very great. Similar in
Uganda, the electric power supply system is hydro dominated which is nearly 100
times greater than any other source of power generation (Kaijuka, 2006). This
ensures efficiency in electricity consumption.
This project is needed to assist administrators to establish
effective policies and plans to enable them find out the possible alternative
means in case of emergency (Brenner, 2014). The transmission and distribution
are controlled by operations in these areas in order to meet the goal of making
electricity accessible and affordable to all of Ghanaians by 2020 (Soumonni,
2013).
1.2 Problem Statement
The power sector in Ghana has been in difficulties in terms
of production and distribution for a very long time. The high rate of increase
of people has increased the consumption of electricity in the country.
According to World Bank report of 2013, ECG had registered a down turn in
revenue of US$ 16 million in 2011, US$ 44 million in 2012 and US$ 60 million in
2013. Due to the huge characterized falls in the revenue level, losses in the
energy sector is great and also huge (Nawaz-ul-Huda et al., 2012). The
re-occurrence of problems in the power sector are mostly seen in the
distribution of electricity. These problems have led to economic depression
crippling business men and women in the industry (Morimoto & Hope, 2004).
Indeed, the major problem or challenge faced by ECG in their power distribution
and supply are system losses. These systemic losses are due to commercial and
technical losses. Commercial losses are fundamentally unlawful connections,
metering challenges, problems in cost allocation as well as collection
difficulties. Also, technical losses are mainly due equipment operating
inadequacies, old and out of date gadgets.
All these problems can be attributed to lack of access maps
of the area and up to date information on customers, assets and their
locations. Considering the problems enumerated above, it therefore warrants for
a study to be conducted to find a lasting solution to the menace.
1.3 Justification
Revenue collection rather seems to be a major challenge for
ECG. A critical perusal of the ECG historical record, 2012 shows that system
loss increased from 20.72% in 1996 to 26.49% in 1999 and decreased to 22.64% in
2000. It increased sharply from 22.64% in 2000 to 26.54% in 2004. In 2009 ECG
incurred a system loss of 26.0% and decreased to 23.47 in 2012. These show that
quite a little has been done to curtail the situation. The major causes of
these system losses are illegal connections, metering problems, billing
challenges, collection challenges, inadequate equipment capacity, and old and
obsolete cables (Energy Commission, Ghana, 2013). This has shown in Ghana’s
energy producing companies, including the Volta River Authority (VRA) and
Independent Power Producers (IPPs). This project proposes the implementation of
spatial technology to provide web application for ECG to track customers and
assets to reduce system losses. Also, spatial technology in the form of a web
based application will provide efficient billing and collection system or
platform for revenue mobilization. This system will enable ECG the ability and
ease for financial accuracy and growth.
1.4 Research Questions
To be to arrive at the objectives of the study, the
underlisted research questions will be answered:
What are the impacts of these loses to the Electricity
Company of Ghana?
How do ECG locate their assets such as; meters, substations,
transformers and poles?
How do ECG track their customers?
By which mode do customers asses their bills?
How do ECG maintain their revenue stream?
1.5 Aim and Objectives
The aim of the study is to enhance ECG Business using GIS as
a tool with the application of spatial technology. This spatial technology was
developed via a web based platform for effective and efficient operation of ECG
business in relation to revenue mobilization.
The objectives of the study are to:
Produce a web based application to help ECG locate and track
their assets such as, meters, substations, transformers and poles with ease for
routine maintenance.
Produce a web based application to help ECG locate and track
customers and their bill information easily for efficient revenue mobilization.
1.6 Scope of the Study
Geographically, the scope of the study looks at the
evaluation of the current ECG operating system at Adentan municipality in the
Greater Accra region of the Republic of Ghana. But thematically, it seeks to
develop a web based application for efficient and effective revenue
mobilization.
This research is structured into six chapters. Chapter one
touches on the background of the study, problem statement, aim and objectives
of the study, scope of the study and the organization of the study.
Chapter two reviews literature about the organogram of ECG,
their functions as well as their revenue mobilization strategies. The third
chapter reviews literature about spatial and technical studies related to the
research topic.
Chapter four outlines the methodology and conceptual design
of the web based application, ethical considerations, shortfalls and
assumptions of the study. Chapter five outlines analysis, discussion of
findings and the web based application system design. Chapter six finally gives
out the recommendations and conclusion on the research study.
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