PHD Proposal for Systems Engineering, University of Lagos

1. PHD PROPOSAL
DEVELOPING A CONCEPTUAL WEST-AFRICAN REGIONAL ENERGY SYSTEMS
INTEGRATION FRAMEWORK USING MODEL BASED SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
(MBSE) METHODOLOGIES
BY
OGHENEOVO OGBEWE
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS
2015

2. Abstract
Regional and global integration initiatives push for more energy integration to
increase the access to and reliability of energy services. As a result, the
ECOWAS community is actively engaged in regional integration and
cooperation in the area of cross-border infrastructure projects for electricity
and gas supply as well as in the harnessing of its renewable energy and energy
efficiency potentials. However, that initiative has been faced with a lot of
challenges despite the success of similar initiatives around the world. Proffered
solutions to these challenges a few, and usually the approach taken is based
solely on the researches discipline. This proposal proposes a multidisciplinary
approach using Systems Engineering tools and methods to develop solutions to
these challenges. The Systems Engineering approach is suited for the
complexity and dynamism associated with the West African sub-region.

3. Contents
1. Introduction.................................................................................................4
2. Literature Review.........................................................................................5
2.1 Overview of Systems Engineering..........................................................5
2.1.1. Key Features of Systems Engineering.................................................7
2.1.2 Overview of Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)..................8
2.1.3 Application of Systems Engineering Techniques in Energy Sector.......8
2.2 Development and Research into the West African Energy Integration
Initiative..........................................................................................................9
3. Research problem......................................................................................10
4. Significance of Study..................................................................................11
5. Proposed Methodology .............................................................................11
8. Conclusion .................................................................................................12
References.......................................................................................................13

4. 1. Introduction
The International Council of Systems Engineering (INCOSE) in its vision 2025
states that one of the greatest challenges that will be faced in the coming
century will not be the availability of technology, but the management of it.
However an engineering problem should have an engineering solution and
therefore the solution to the management of engineering technology cannot
and should not be left in the hands of the management sciences but
engineered by engineers.
In the process of developing these solutions, the Systems Engineering (SE)
discipline was created. This relatively new engineering discipline aims at
managing the complex integration of technology with human activity systems.
Presently, the drive towards globalisation has ensured that the need for
interactions and integration of economies, business, industries and technology
between countries, regions or continents is a prerequisite to success for
organisations. However, in the process of integration complexities arise;
complexities in functions, interactions and representation are all undesired
effects of any integration process.
Technology in various forms, such as information systems like satellites, radar
and computers or infrastructural systems such as electrical power grids or
transportation systems are all a combination of various components put
together to perform a specific task. Individually, each of such systems has an
inherent complexity to manage, to ensure safe and efficient usage during their
life cycle. When however such systems are required to be used between
different socio-economic, geographical or regulatory areas, there is an
exponential increase in the complexity of operating such systems and a
subsequent reduction in the possibility of efficient running of the system.
Therefore regional integration refers to the interaction between two or more
cities or countries to achieve a clear assignment with reasonable resource
distribution and harmonious coordination.
Examples of regional Integration successes include the European Union and
the North American Free Trade Agreement which have both promoted
efficient integration of infrastructure, communication and financial markets

5. leading to economic growth of member nations. In Africa, the New Partnership
for African Development (NEPAD), champions the drive towards the
integration of various sectors including energy between African countries. Such
integration initiatives promoted by NEPAD include the South African Power
Pool (SAPP) and the West African Power Pool (WAPP).
However there has been lots of challenges to these initiatives especially for the
WAPP as discussed by the likes of E. Gnansounou et al, and P. Pineeau and
these challenges have resulted in the motivation for carrying out this PHD
work.
2. Literature Review
There is a large body of knowledge documented on the research of the
application of Systems Engineering to other industries besides the defense,
airspace, and Information Technology industries within which the discipline
was originally developed around. The spread of Systems Engineering
methodologies can be attributed to the growing complexity of systems in every
industry. A good example is the adoption of Systems Engineering by the AKER
Oil and Gas Company in it research activities for managing its production
processes. With such current applications of SE to solving complex
organisational challenges in the Energy sector, the application of SE to
optimising the West African sub-regions energy integration process should be
researched.
2.1 Overview of Systems Engineering
There have been several definition to the discipline of Systems Engineering.
The International Council of Systems Engineers (INCOSE) recognises up to
three definitions for it in the Systems Engineering Handbook. However only
one of these definitions is stated on the INCOSE website and it defines SE as
“an interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the realization of
successful systems. It focuses on defining customer needs and required
functionality early in the development cycle, documenting requirements and
proceeding with the design synthesis and system validation while considering
the complete problem: operations, cost and schedule, performance, training
and support, test, manufacturing, and disposal. SE considers both business and

6. technical needs of all customers with goal of providing quality product that
meets the user’s needs.”
Regardless of the various definitions given to Systems Engineering by scholars
and professional on the subject, 3 fundamental descriptions are recognized in
all of them – (1) Discipline (2) Approach and (3) Process.
By a play of words, Systems Engineering could easily mean the engineering of
systems. However what is considered a system in the systems engineering
discipline?
Amongst other definitions, INCOSE defines a system as [1]
“A combination of interacting elements organized to achieve one or more
stated purposes.”
and
“An integrated set of elements, subsystems, or assemblies that accomplish a
defined objective. These elements include products (hardware, software, and
firmware), processes, people, information, techniques, facilities, services, and
other support element”.
The British Royal Academy of Engineering classifies a system into 3 categories
of complexity [2]:
1. Sub-systems which usually exists within a single discipline or
organization for example the charging systems for an inverter, or the
sensory systems of an industrial automated machine.
2. A system which requires more than one engineering discipline or
organization to design, construct, maintain and use such a car, an
electric power station or an agricultural processing plant.
3. A system of systems that impacts, or is impacted by, many disciplines
and economic, social or environmental factors such as road networks,
military command and control and electricity supply.

7. Today’s complex System of Systems (SOS) requires a multi-disciplinary
approach applied across their life cycle development and management. This
implies that a pluralist approach using multiple system methodologies. The
scope of application of systems engineering for this proposed work falls within
the system of systems category.
2.1.1. Key Features of Systems Engineering
The SE discipline has a set of activities associated with it, these include but are
not limited to: requirements analysis/engineering, verification and validation;
functional analysis and allocations; trade studies and system architecture
specification. These activities are carried as part of the SE process. The most
widely accepted SE process model is the V-Model [3]. All associated activities
within the SE discipline for the lifecycle of a system are carried out with
reference to this process or its hybrids.

8. 2.1.2 Overview of Model Based Systems Engineering
Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), is a SE concept that emphasizes the
application of rigorous visual modelling principles and best practices to
Systems Engineering activities throughout the System Development Life Cycle
(SDLC). It is defined as -
“the formalized application of modeling to support system requirements,
design, analysis, verification and validation activities beginning in the
conceptual design phase and continuing throughout development and later life
cycle phases.”[4]
Since SE activities require rigorous documentation, MBSE has been preferred
as an alternative to the document-centric nature of SE.
It is recommended by the Object Management Group (OMG), that in using
MBSE approach to system development, the MBSE process should be applied
in a straightforward and systematic manner and the process must support all
SDLC phases such as Requirements Engineering, System Analysis, System
Design, Implementation, System Integration, and Testing.
The MBSE process must also support full SDLC requirements traceability,
including comprehensive Verification & Validation of all functional and non-
functional requirements of the system.
Enabling technologies for carrying out MBSE include – Model Based Languages
such as SysML and UML and Model Based Architecture Frameworks such as
TRACK and FEAF.
Cook et al discussed one important advantage of MBSE which is that
knowledge
generated in one systems engineering activity is made available to the other
activities.
2.1.3 Application of Systems Engineering Techniques in Energy Sector
SE methodologies and techniques was developed around mostly defense,
software and aircraft technologies. However, more recently has its
methodologies been adopted in the energy sector. Some examples includes
Neil Snyder and Mark Antkowiak study on the application of SE in the
renewable energy research environment [5]; Hans Dahl’s exploration of SE as

9. an appropriate approach in decision-making and trade-off analysis for the
Statoil natural gas transport operations; and Paoli et al studies on the
application of MBSE for small commercial product development in the
electrical domain [6].
International Energy Organisations such as Siemens and Aker Solutions, have
incorporated SE methodologies for improving on product performance by
accounting for all domains, conditions, sub-systems and interface definitions in
a system.
2.2 Development and Research into the West African Energy
Integration Initiative.
The system or process in consideration for the proposed work is the West
African sub regional Energy systems. The ECOWAS Treaty of 1975, revised in
1992, is concerned with the energy sector and seeks to establish a common
energy policy and a collective solution for the resolution of energy
development problems in member countries [7]. Some initiatives and results of
the regional energy integration efforts include –
∑ The development of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and its Master
Plan aimed at the creation of a regional electricity market by 2020/25.
∑ The development of the West African gas pipeline (WAGP) designed to
transport Nigerian natural gas to power plants and industries in the
neighboring countries of Ghana, Togo and Benin.
Others includes the establishment of the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable
Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) and the adoption of the ECOWAS
Renewable Energy Policy and the ECOWAS Policy on Energy Efficiency.
Various studies have been carried out by researchers and scholars on methods
and models to be used in making the sub regional energy integration process
efficient and effective. Such models include the South African Power Pool
(SAPP) model and the pioneer Nordic power market, NORDEL. However, it still
remains unclear what model is to be used for the WAPP project due to the lack
of clarity of its integration objectives [8].
The likes of E.Gnansounou et al have proposed a techno-economic model for
analyzing West African regional electricity integration strategies. A comparison

10. of two strategies – the Autarkical Strategy and the Integration Strategy - was
carried using their model to determine which would be a preferred strategy for
implementing WAPP.
3. Research problem
One of the challenges of deriving efficient integration of technological
systems operating between two or more organisations, regions or sub-regions
is the issue of technical and regulatory/policy harmonisation . In particular for
this PhD work, the problem to be investigated would be:
What are the key requirements and drivers needed for efficient
integration of the West–African sub-regional energy sector and
how can these requirements be managed holistically to ensure
the development of an optimized integration process.
The above problem statement supports various views about obstacles to
energy integration proposed by various groups and researchers.
Pierre-Olivier Pineau [9] proposed that the lack of ownership, unclear and
conflicting reform objectives and uncertainty of integration outcomes are
issues facing the current integration approach. He states further that in the
current integration approach, institutional capacity and integration
environment are largely ignored.
Hyacinth Elayo [10] identified the issue of inadequate regulatory frameworks
as one of the obstacles to the WA energy integration project. He advocate for
an appropriate (simple, flexible and robust) institutional structure, consisting
of all main power utilities within the sub-region as part of the solution to the
problem.
Niyimbona (11) specifying on the WAPP project, proposed that aside the
underdevelopment of transmission networks and lines, the power pooling
project is also constrained by lack of regional regulations and appropriate
mechanisms for dispute resolutions.

11. In summary, each one has identified a lack of structure or framework that
encompasses a holistic view of the sub-regions integration initiative as an issue
to its realisation.
4. Significance of Study
a. The aim of this study is to develop a conceptual framework that
will act as a strategic planning tool which would improve for
efficient integration of energy technology systems shared within
the West African sub region. The proposed framework would have
the capacity to evolve with technology and other dynamics of the
system. It would have a holistic approach, taking into account all
aspects of the systems and their interactions into consideration
throughout the SDLC.
b. The following objectives are set to be accomplished during the
course of the study:
i. To establish a consistent definition and categorisation of
the primary components for the integrated energy system
project.
ii. To produce an organised, clear and dynamic architecture of
the system using the investigated relationships between
established primary components.
iii. Document using models, the specifications of the system,
with innovative systems engineering modelling tools and
techniques such as SysML.
As a result of this work, it is envisaged that the drive towards an integration of
West African economies and infrastructure will be more organised and
structured. Inputs from all stakeholder will be systematically documented,
defined and categorised in a way that will be useful and clear to engineers
implementing the solutions. Also in line with systems thinking methodology,
more effort will be put into planning to reduce cost incurred by changes or
errors in technical specification and inconsistent or unclear stakeholder
requirements.
5. Proposed Methodology

12. The project is planned to start with a theoretical in depth study of the effects
differences in regional environmental and technological layout such as control
procedures, operational rules, government policies or social climate has on the
ease of technology integration within the sub-region. The organisation with
which the research will focus on for these studies will be the West African
Power Pool and to an extent the West African Gas Pipeline. The following
investigations will then be carried out to generate data for architecting and
modelling activities:
i. Comparison of the current integration template and model for energy
systems used by the West African sub-region with templates used by
successful regions such as the Eurozone or NORDEL.
ii. Investigation into the system drivers and elements that drove the
successful models and into whether such drivers are present within the
West African sub-region
iii. Research into the types of energy systems technology operated by
various members of sub-region.
iv. Carry out requirement engineering activities on the system using data
gotten from the investigations and other data collection techniques.
v. Using the defined system requirement and elements, various
architectural views of the system will be modelled using MBSE.
vi. The conceptual framework will be developed for iterations of the
models gotten from the system specifications.
8. Conclusion
This work is expected to add to body of knowledge within the Electrical
Engineering Community and Systems Engineering community, Most of the
system elements to be defined and categorised fall within the power industry.
The work also will have practical applications in on-going ECOWAS activities
and NEPAD initiatives.
Significant modelling and computational challenges are expected to emerge
during this research work. I also expect some difficulties in the description,
definition and integration of some components in the system especially the

13. non-technical elements. Although the work will acknowledge the importance
of financial systems and trading as an important factor in the integration
process, research into those areas will be out of the scope of this work.
The work is expected to provide a number of peer viewed and indexed journal
publications and contribute to the Model Based Systems Engineering
applications discussion. It hopes to bring the awareness of Systems
Engineering to the engineering management community of the organisations
researched.
References
1. INCOSE "Systems Engineering Handbook", Version 3.2, January 2010,
www.incose.org, INCOSE-TP-2003-00203.2
2. The Royal Academy of Engineering. "Creating Systems that Work:
principals of engineering systems for the 21st
century", June 2007, ISBN
1-903496-34-9, http://www. raeng.org.u
k!news/publications/list/reports/Creating Systems that work.pdf
3. U.S Department for Transportation. (2007). Systems Engineering for
Intelligent Transport Systems: An Introduction for Transport
Professionals.
4. Murray, J. (2012). Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Media
Study. Retrieved from
http://syse.pdx.edu/program/portfolios/julia/MBSE.pdf
5. Snyder, Neil, and Mark Antkowiak. "Applying Systems Engineering in a
Renewable Energy Research & Development Environment." INCOSE
International Symposium. Vol. 20. No. 1. 2010.
6. PAOLI, C. D., Parrot, O., Rouge, A. and Dutey, C. (1999), 3 Initial lessons
of model-based systems engineering for small commercial product
development in the electrical domain (for Uninterruptible Power Supply
System). INCOSE International Symposium.

14. 7. Elayo, Hyacinth. "Regional Energy Integration in West Africa."
8. Gnansounou, Edgard, et al. "Strategies for regional integration of
electricity supply in West Africa." Energy Policy 35.8 (2007): 4142-4153.
9. Pineau, Pierre-Olivier. "Electricity sector integration in West
Africa." Energy Policy 36.1 (2008): 210-223.
10.Elayo, H. (2013, March). Regional Energy Integration in West Africa.
Foreign Voices.
11.Niyimbona, P. "The challenges of operationalizing power pools in
Africa."UNDESA Seminar on Electricity Interconnection, Cairo, Egypt,
June. 2005.