Browsing by Author "Geldenhuis, Lester"

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    Developing a transmission power grid maintenance budget decision support system
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03) Geldenhuis, Lester; Jooste, J. L.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Industrial Engineering.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Sustainable value adding in asset-intensive organisations requires well-coordinated activities between tangible and intangible assets at all stages of the asset life cycle. One of the core asset management principles is ensuring alignment between organisational objectives and management decisions. Operational and maintenance decision-making are regarded as crucial in maintaining business sustainability. Decision-making is a fundamental management output and a critical action to reach business imperatives. Many asset-intensive power grid companies across the globe are experiencing a rapidly changing supply and demand landscape driven by technical,socio-economic and environmental factors. Existing business models are challenged to maintain financial viability whilst ensuring acceptable levels of supply in a highly regulated environment. Business budget reforms are driven by the need to restrict expenditure and to improve financial performance. Traditionally businesses employ incremental budget models during times of fiscal constraint, where equal cutbacks are implemented across all levels without focus on specific expenditures(Ibrahim, 2017). This creates conflict at the operational level where maintenance managers are required to make decisions that impact on short-term expenditure which, in turn, impact medium-to long-term power system performance. Operational and maintenance management decisions are often characterised by human judgement, discussions and previous experience where action is required despite limitations ontime and knowledge. The study presents a transmission power grid Maintenance Budget Decision Support System (MBDSS) that will support maintenance managers in delivering related management decisions, considering essential information that is aligned to the current business objectives. The model and process are based on existing maintenance prioritisation models that consider the criticality of preventive maintenance tasks as well as maintenance expenditure risks.The study investigates the apparent and latent relationships between maintenance planning, budget expenditure and grid performance in order to establish relevant criteria and limitations in developing the MBDSS. The model uses the risk priority number (RPN) method in conjunction with the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) technique. AHP is used to determine the weights for the different probability and severity criteria. The model improves on existing prioritisation models by modifying the constant failure rate data of equipment taking into account the health and work-rate of the equipment in calculating the failure probability. The model is validated by following the Borenstein decision support system validation process.