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Power | Telecom |
Transport |
Others
GIS in Management of Electricity Distribution Network: A case study of Onitsha-North L.G.A., Anambra state, Nigeria.
Igbokwe, J. I. and Emengini, E. J.
Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics
Faculty of Environmental Sciences
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
joel_igbokwe@yahoo.com and scholaphine@yahoo.com
Abstract
The paper presents the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) in management of Electricity Distribution Facilities. With inherent limitations faced by traditional system of keeping and managing information, an automated system is developed for National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), Onitsha District in Onitsha-North L.G.A., Anambra State of Nigeria. The administrative\street and electricity distribution network maps were collected from relevant agencies. Electricity distribution facilities spatial database was designed and created using relational database model approach. The paper maps were converted to digital form, through scanning. The raster images were sent to AutoCAD Map R2 environment for geo-referencing and on-screen vectorization. The drawings were edited and exported to ArcView 3.2a environment. The graphics were linked with the created spatial database. The developed system was put to the test by carrying out a number of GIS operation and analysis. Results obtained were displayed in graphics and tables. It was ascertained from the results that GIS is a competent and effective tool for managing electricity distribution network. In this context, conclusions and some useful recommendations were proffered.
1.0 Introduction
Generally, electricity could be accepted to mean supply of electric current. This involves generation, transmission and distribution of the electric current to consumers. Electricity is an aspect of the utility sector that is very essential to the smooth and meaningful development of a society. It supports the economy and promotes the well-being of individuals. Efficient functioning of this utility is of paramount importance for the sustenance of its growth and consequential realization of its planning and managerial objectives.
In recent times, the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), worked very hard to see to the realization of steady power supply by the end of 2001 in the country. The President made this clear when he gave a mandate to the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the nation by 31st December 2001. It was noted that NEPA has raised electricity output from as low as 1,600 megawatts to 4,000 megawatts and over one billion dollars spent in order to meet up with the mandate (This Day Newspaper, 2002). Yet, erratic power supply and outages remain a major problem confronting the nation today.
In this context, in as much as efforts are made towards efficient power generation, the subsequent transmission and distribution of the generated power should not be overlooked. Efficient functioning of the generated power cannot be achieved without proper record keeping and monitoring of the transmission and distribution network system. According to Pickering et al 1993, any organization that expects to run an efficient day-to-day operation and to manage and develop its services effectively must know what asset it has, where they are, their condition, how they are performing, and how much it costs to provide the service. Emengini (2004) noted that knowledge about physical assets of the enterprise is necessary to make strategic and operation decisions. Thus, to take wise decisions vital to the operations, growth and management of electricity distribution facilities, information must be collected and analysed to its full extent, such information contributes not only to efficient services, but also to the operation and maintenance of assets, and to the sensible planning of extensions and new works.
1.1 Problems at Hand
The creation, updation, maintenance and general management of electricity distribution network in terms of spatial and non-spatial data is a herculean task. The voluminous nature of data involved for proper record keeping is indeed cumbersome, and cannot effectively be handled by traditional system of record keeping. The analogue system means acceptance of inflexibility resulting from data storage in fixed forms and formats. The system becomes less useful for may purposes and are rarely updated because of costs implication. The maps are easily displaced or destroyed because many different people at different locations use them. More of the limitations faced by the traditional system of record keeping are given by Adetoro (2002).
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