Power Allocation for Load Shading Using Cascading Demultiplexer Mechanism (PALSU-CDM)

The recent drought in Zambia has severely affected the country’s hydroelectric power generation, particularly from the Kariba Dam, leading to a significant reduction in water levels. As a result, the national utility, ZESCO, has been forced to implement load shedding across the nation. The load shedding has been unevenly distributed, causing inconvenience and inefficiency in the use of available power. This paper presents a solution to this problem using a Cascading Demultiplexer Mechanism (PALSU-CDM) for more equitable power allocation. The proposed system leverages cascading demultiplexers to allocate power resources in a fair and balanced manner across various regions, towns, and individual households, based on predetermined schedules. The effectiveness of the system is demonstrated through simulations and real-world applicability, with a focus on Zambia’s power distribution challenges in 2024. The solution aims to optimize power distribution, reduce power imbalances, and ensure more predictable load shedding schedules, that will improve the quality of life for Zambians during this crisis.