Identification of Critical Issues on Nigeria’s Power Transmission Grid

This research is aimed at considering critical issues affecting Nigeria's transmission grid. System data of Nigeria's transmission grid were obtained to create the grid's power flow simulator (PFS), using power system analysis software (PSA) and Aeronautical Reconnaissance Coverage Geographic Information System (ArcGIS) for spatial distribution and dimensioning of relevant grid elements. The PSA deploys the Newton Raphson (N-R) computation method to test for steady-state failure (SSF), available transfer capacity (ATC), voltage stability, and loading. From initial power flow computations, the critical region was mapped by an imperfect ring network, inadequate redundancy and critical portions of the voltage profile. Predominantly, these are applicable in the Northern region and approximately 70% of the nodes experience voltage violations. The buses are: Yola, Gombe, Kano, Maiduguri, Damaturu, Kaduna, and Jos. In order to improve the reliability, redundancy, ring network, and quality of power supply within the critical zone and, in general, improve Nigeria's overall network, there is an urgent need to reinforce it.