African Chemical Engineering Studies | 14 October 2005
Methodological Evaluation of Power-Distribution Equipment Systems in South Africa Using Multilevel Regression Analysis for Yield Improvement Studies
N, k, o, s, a, n, a, F, a, n, a, o, l, u, ,, S, i, b, o, n, i, h, l, e, M, p, h, o, l, e, t, s, o
Abstract
Power distribution equipment systems (PDES) play a critical role in South Africa's industrial sector, particularly in enhancing the efficiency of energy supply and demand. A comparative study employing multilevel regression analysis was conducted, utilising data from various industrial sites in South Africa. Data were collected through surveys and site inspections, with a focus on power distribution equipment systems performance metrics. Multilevel regression analysis revealed that the proportion of yield improvement varied significantly across different regions (e.g., urban vs rural), suggesting regional-specific factors influence efficiency. A key finding is that optimal system design can lead to an average yield increase of 15%. The study underscores the importance of tailored PDES systems for achieving maximum performance, highlighting the need for localized engineering solutions in South Africa's energy sector. Policymakers should prioritise regional-specific studies to tailor PDES design and implementation strategies. Industrial stakeholders are encouraged to adopt best practices based on findings from this study. The maintenance outcome was modelled as $Y<em>{it}=\beta</em>0+\beta<em>1X</em>{it}+u<em>i+\varepsilon</em>{it}$, with robustness checked using heteroskedasticity-consistent errors.