Electricity + Control July 2017

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6 Electricity + Control JULY 2017
A free agent is an exter-
nal entity that is intro-
duced into a system.
Free agents can enter
a system and assist in
improving system per-
formance.
Complex Adaptive Sys-
tems constantly adapt
to internal interactions
and their external envi-
ronment based on rela-
tionships, emergence,
patterns and iterations.
shortages, but the availability of various fuel types
offers fuel diversity and, combined with rental
power technologies for operational schemes, can
change the power supply landscape providing
advantages to the national utility or to end-users
who invest in distributed generation. The national
utility can take advantage of the surplus increase
and availability of outputs and end-users can ben-
efit from load management incentives, electricity
price hedging, profitable power sales, critical pro-
cess protection and energy efficiency. This leads
to positive outcomes for both entities in the re-
spective industry in which they operate, as nested
systems.
Fourth, Complex Adaptive Systems are nest-
ed systems and together with their environment,
form a subset of another Complex Adaptive Sys-
tem. Similarly, the power supply network of each
country is a subset of the regional power pool that
further influences other environments, namely
industry and economy, cross-border power trade
and economic activity. The interconnectedness
of nested systems results in adaptation and re-
silience. Local efficiency of the system is some-
times compromised at a local level as rental power
solutions come with tariff premiums. However, it
should be understood that Complex Adaptive Sys-
tems can sometimes reduce efficiency at a local
level for greater system effectiveness as increas-
ing electrification is fundamental to increasing a
nation’s gross domestic output.
Conclusion
Parastatals need to recognise the potential con-
tribution of free-agents represented by fast-track
technology and solutions for provision of power
that would aid system performance. In regions
where system disturbances are highly visible in
the form of restricted power supply and invest-
ment constraints due to capital shortages, the
Complex Adaptive System perspective provides
good sense for allowing adaptation through rapid
response in terms of delivering temporary or rent-
al power solutions. Given the current limited level
of decentralisation, it is important that overarching
policy is written so that system performance is not
hindered. The complex adaptive system theory
could thus provide effective blueprints to develop
appropriate frameworks for public sector organ-
isations to formulate policies that encourage an
increase in private sector participation with well–
oriented support mechanisms for independent
power producers.
POWER SOLUTIONS
Take Note!
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<<Author>>
Nalen Alwar is Business
Development Director,
sub-Sahara Africa,
for Altaaqa Global
Caterpillar Rental Power.
Majid Zahid, Group President-Energy, Zahid Group (Parent company of
Altaaqa Global) accepts the ISO 50001:2011 certification fromTÜV Nord.
Figure 3: Free agent demobilised after system
infrastructure and performance has increased.
Free agent is demobilised
and relocated to assist a
different system.
National Grid
System Growth in form of new mainstream power
plants afforded by contribution of free agent.
Industry growth