Nigerian Power Grid: Model development, validation and standardization for R&D

Abstract

The Nigerian power grid is characterized by uncertainties ranging from unbalanced load to generation rationing, radial topology, voltage instability, and incessant grid collapse. These uncertainties and their causes require rigorous and time-consuming investigative studies. To adequately studied any phenomena of interest in power systems, due to the complex and physical nature of power systems interconnection and associated control equipment, software based model development and validation approach are paramount, particularly for research and development (R & D). A significant task in the power system's model development is the validation of the developed models with the actual field measurement. In this paper, some selected publications on the models of the Nigerian power grid were reviewed, and are found to be inconsistent in terms of number of buses modelled, load, and generation profile. Also, the models are often not benchmarked for either static or dynamic simulation studies. Therefore, this paper draws the attention of the various stakeholders in the Nigerian power sector, to as a matter of urgency pay attention to the accurate model development, validation, and benchmarking of the Nigerian power grid for R & D; recommendations were equally proffered in the conclusion section.