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South Africa has one of the worlds most advanced environmental legal frameworks entrenched with the environmental right to “ecologically sustainable development”. Numerous tools, including environmental impact assessment (EIA), are made available within the legal framework as listed in the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA)… (more)
Eskom has contracted Ellies Renewables, a division of JSE-listed Ellies, to install low flow showerheads and geyser timers to residential households who apply and are within the Ellies installation areas. These showerheads and timers will be provided and installed at no cost to the households… (more)
Energy management at the enterprise level is not only the responsibility of plant managers and engineers; it has now become the responsibility of corporate management as well. All departments within a company consume energy and add cost to a product or service, so everyone must be involved in developing and maintaining an energy management strategy that can be implemented to benefit the entire organisation’s bottom line and to accurately allocate costs where they were generated… (more)
In the UK, currently over 20 000 t of batteries are thrown away each year, the majority ending up in landfill. Whilst nickel cadmium, lead-acid and lithium batteries contain substances, hazardous to the environment, the zinc and manganese batteries that make up the majority of the battery waste do not contain substances that are particularly harmful if properly treated… (more)
Distribution grids need data and systems to drive safe and reliable operations. As SCADA, distribution automation, and outage management systems prove, dramatic improvement in grid efficiency and reliability can be achieved through increased real-time analytics driven by larger data volumes… (more)
Modern distance relays use various filtering algorithms to extract the fundamental frequency component of power system voltage and current waveforms. The relays then use the filtered voltages and currents in such numerous algorithms as distance, overcurrent, under/overvoltage, and frequency. Use of filtered voltages and currents generally provides a protective relay immunity to power system harmonics such as those resulting from transformer energisation… (more)
Sampled values (SV) are used for the transmission of digitised instantaneous values of quantities of the power system, mainly the primary currents and voltages. Thus, SVs can replace the classical secondary quantities. SVs are published on the substation network and are subscribed by any device that can make use of them… (more)
A world with direct current grids instead of alternating current grids. Is that possible? Sustainable generation of electrical energy is always linked with DC voltage. Solar cell systems produces a DC voltage, wind turbines always convert the AC voltage with a variable frequency in a DC voltage to convert it into an AC voltage with a constant frequency… (more)
After an invitation to tender on the 12th November 2010 for the Replacement of the Control and Instrumentation System on Units 1 to 6 at Duvha Power Station, the Siemens EFIE business unit successfully concluded the negotiations and was awarded the contract. Duvha power station is a coal fired power station built between 1978 and 1984, near eMalahleni (Witbank) in Mpumalanga. It has six units each with a sent-out capacity of 575 MW, so as a base load station it represents 3450 MW on the national grid… (more)
Historically, the cost of electricity in South Africa was low, resulting in a disregard for energy efficiency in almost all buildings and industrial processes. Aside from the environmental aspects, increasing electricity costs mean it makes financial sense to review almost everything we do to make sure we use the absolute minimum electricity. Combined heat and power (CHP) provides exciting opportunities for industrial plants and buildings with access to a gas supply… (more)
The SANAE IV (South African National Antarctic Expedition) research base in Antarctica was originally constructed in 1997, when an SSI group company provided the mechanical services. The Base is now due for refurbishment. SSI Engineers and Environmental Consultants won the tender issued by the Department of Public Works, on behalf of the Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism who administer the facility… (more)
WINDaba 2012, the 2nd Annual event hosted by SAWEA takes place from 22 – 24 October 2012 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Wind Energy in South Africa has been given yet another major boost with the launch on 13 March 2012 of the first verified Wind Atlas. This is great news for energy companies wanting to build a wind energy power station to use this information free-of-charge to establish where the wind speeds are best suited to generate power and will save developers of wind farms a full year of measurement and data gathering… (more)
Energy efficient lighting is becoming increasingly important as an immediate solution to rising electricity consumption, with the increasing compatibility of Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) with existing lighting infrastructure spurring sales. Lighting appliances consume approximately 19% of total generated electricity… (more)
While activity appears slow or subdued, market players are preparing for some significant changes in the technological and contractual landscape of high voltage transformers in South Africa. The high voltage transformer market is soon to see the return of ABB as a key player in 2013, while the major current tender holders include Powertech, Siemens, Contipower, and Zest WEG. The dominance of existing suppliers is likely to be challenged at the forthcoming tender adjudication in 2015… (more)
Sir: I must admit to not having been particularly conscious about the amount of energy in the air, and was wondering whether your erudite and well-read subscribers had given it much thought. I am not referring to hot air, of course, of which we are all conscious when political tensions rise, but a few age-old phenomena which seem to have escaped the notice of even the most ardent students of sustainable energy. If the latest reports from the scientific community are anything to go by, why, we should perhaps aspire to soar far above the rooftops I wrote to you about recently… (more)
Sir: In the USA, as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, under Sec. 1251, all public electric utilities are now required to make available upon request net metering to their customers: SA is clearly still way behind the USA in this regard. It is difficult to understand why this is so – Dr. Bernhard Scheffler… (more)
Amendments to Electricity Regulation Act 4 of 2006: The foremost question the Free Market Foundation (FMF) asks in addressing any policy question, including the contents of the above mentioned Bill is, will this policy be to the long term benefit of consumers and especially those who are the poorest and most vulnerable? Consumer satisfaction is generally achieved by an absence of barriers to entry into the provision of goods and services, allowing consumers a choice between the offerings of freely competing providers… (more)
2011 saw a growth in demand for the rental power industry due to the expansion of projects in sectors like construction, oil and gas, manufacturing, mining and utilities. Many private power companies that were badly hit during the recession are still struggling to fund their permanent power plants, thus increasing the demand for rental solutions to fill in the gaps. Our response to the demand has been to follow a strategic growth plan, which saw Aggreko own or acquire 16 new locations in 2011… (more)
The RFI issued in December 2011 by the Department of Energy for non-renewable IPPs achieved an amazing response totaling some 61 000 MW, 50% more than our total generating capacity. Sub-Saharan Africa is said to be an energy poor region, but this response shows that the potential to generate adequate electricity for the region’s needs exists… (more)
Over the past century, mankind has beneficiated the Earth’s natural resources to improve their standard of living. In the process, many of the non-renewable resources, mainly fossil fuels, have become depleted. This has had the effect of increasing the cost of these increasingly scarce resources, incentivising people to look for alternatives, as well as investigating means to use the existing resources more productively… (more)
Just 10% of the US EIA estimated 485 tcf shale resource could add R200-billion to GDP annually and create 700 000 sustainable jobs, as well as providing SA with a solution to its electricity supply and pricing challenges. Development of gas could ensure South Africa’s energy security. The shale gas opportunity in the Karoo could significantly boost South Africa’s economy and create hundreds of thousands of jobs. This is according to an economic report released by Econometrix… (more)
I started off my career as a software engineer working on a project at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station for the first year. Later IST got involved with software and hardware development projects through securing the RTU and SCADA contracts with Eskom. This development work was performed in partnership with the then Westinghouse Systems UK. This involved me working on and off in the UK with Westinghouse from 1992 – 1994 on the so-called SMART SCADA systems for Eskom Distribution. With the introduction of standard products supplied by IST into the South African market, customer support and software debugging became a part of my life!… (more)
Sir: The concrete “supports” are not installed for that function. They were installed as an extreme measure to resist the continuous attempts of vandalism and theft of the pole transformer and LV cable to the customer. As the supply point in is a remote area and serves as a supply to a MTN site we had to try to secure it. We had three earlier incidents of theft of the transformer and LV cable supplying the MTN site… (more)
Sir: While I can sympathise with Jacob Marley’s expectation of finding Scrooge in the hot place, I gather that just in time he heeded the warnings of his lurid dreams and repented, so perhaps his address has changed? But my purpose here is not to defend a mythical character, but to call into question the lauding of that essentially parasitic activity known as rooftop PV. (“Occupy the rooftops!” Energize, March 2012, page 6)… (more)
Sir: A certain large South African SOC in the electricity sector has recently been much in the news. What particularly struck me was that the news invariably mentioned money, but not once, if memory serves, customers. After all, customers pay the bills, and that usually involves money. In my days, Sir, when Scrooge and I were slaving away to make a success of Scrooge and Marley, a successful business was built on sound principles. You made something your customers needed, you sold it to them at a good price (but not so dear that your competitors could undercut you) and you kept your customers happy by not keeping them in the dark (literally and figuratively)… (more)
The Cigré Steering Committee, consisting of leading industrialists from USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, Japan, China, Russia, South Africa, Germany, France, Spain, and the UK, will meet in South Africa from 24 – 27 April 2012. During the meeting a South Africa day will be held with presentations from Eskom (on the electrical energy situation), ABB (on production of large transformers) and Pfisterer (on production of HV insulators). This is an opportunity to showcase our abilities to other countries. The day will include a technical visit to an electrification project… (more)
Schneider Electric South Africa has teamed up with the French Ministry of Education and the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) to launch a centre aimed at developing programmes to train technicians and higher technicians in the fields of energy, electricity and maintenance of automated systems. Named the French–South African Schneider Electric Education Centre (F’SASEC), the new facility is in line with the Department of Higher Education and Training’s vision of accelerating artisan training across the country and will focus on preparing young South Africans from disadvantaged backgrounds for the job market… (more)
The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) valued at R30-million over the next three years, to give young innovators access to SABS standards, certification, training services and testing facilities. The MOU forms part of support services that TIA envisaged under the Youth Technology Innovation Fund launched in January 2012… (more)
Aurecon is pleased to announce that after filing a formal notification with the Competition Commission of Aurecon and NetGroup’s intended merger, we have gained full approval to proceed with the merger. NetGroup, a market leader in transmission and distribution for utilities and industries in Southern Africa, will be merging its business operations with Aurecon as of 1 March 2012. Founded in 1987, NetGroup currently employs a multi-skilled work force of more than 260 people comprising engineers, business consultants, process analysts and information systems specialists… (more)
The paper reports on the assessment of the use of bagasse for cogeneration purposes at Hippo Valley Estates (HVE), a sugar manufacturing company in Zimbabwe. It was established that the power plant for the company could generate an annual surplus of US$2,8-million as revenue, and the payback period was found to be 3,3 years… (more)
With an aging power component population, today’s electrical utility industry faces a tough challenge as failures and consequent repair and revenue loss may inflict major costs. Transformers have become one of the most mission critical components in the electrical grid. The need for reliable diagnostic methods drives the world’s leading experts to evaluate new technologies that improve reliability and optimise the use of the power network… (more)
Power transformers of various size and configuration are used throughout the power system. These transformers play an important role in power delivery and the integrity of the power system network as a whole. Power transformers have operating limits beyond which transformer loss of life can occur. This paper examines the adverse conditions to which a power transformer might be subjected… (more)
By 2018, about 60% of the installed capacity of HVDC schemes worldwide will be in China (in only 20% of the number of schemes). By necessity, China has become the leader in HVDC, with a strong emphasis on developing its own country’s capabilities. The result is that Chinese HVDC firms are now globally competitive on complete HVDC schemes, with ?800 kV and 6400 MW schemes being standard. Chinese firms are also at the forefront of the development of HVDC technology with the testing of 1100 kV valves as well as fault based maintenance methodology… (more)
The smart grid promises a more efficient way of supplying and consuming energy. In essence, the smart grid is a data communications network integrated with the power grid that enables power grid operators to collect and analyse data about power generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption – all in near real time. Smart grid communication technology provides predictive information and recommendations to utilities, their suppliers, and their customers on how best to manage power… (more)
The latest National Energy Barometer Survey Award in the hotel category went to Imperial Hotel, a 100-year old hotel that proved it is able to operate the most energy efficient of all the entrants despite its age. Runner-up in the hotel category was the Hluhluwe Hotel (managed by UAS). In the Shopping Centre Category, the N1 City Mall is the winner (managed by UAS) and the winner in the Head Office Category is CEF House… (more)
Lithium-ion batteries have emerged in the last one and half decades to capture over half of the sales value of the secondary consumer market, with applications such as laptop computers, cell phones and camcorders (known as the “Three-C” market). Production capacity has recently been estimated to be 75-million cells per month. These cells provide high energy density (~400 Wh/l) and specific energy (~160 Wh/kg), and long life, typically greater than 1000 cycles at 80% depth of discharge… (more)
The Wind Atlas for South Africa project is an initiative of the South African Government, Department of Minerals and Energy (now DoE), and the project is co-funded by the UNDP-GEF through the South African Wind Energy Programme (SAWEP), and the Royal Danish Embassy. South African National Energy Research Institute (SANERI) is the Executing Partner, coordinating and contracting contributions from the implementing partners: CSIR, UCT, SAWS, and DTU Wind Energy… (more)
Renewable energies, such as wind energy, allow electricity production without consuming fossil resources and without any direct carbon dioxide emissions. Particularly the cost of wind generation has considerably decreased over the last decade and while fossil fuel prices are increasing it is anticipated that wind generation at high wind sites will represent the most economical method for generating electrical energy in the near future… (more)
Renewable energies, such as wind energy, allow electricity production without consuming fossil fuel resources and without any direct carbon dioxide emissions. The cost of wind generation has considerably decreased over the last decade and while fossil fuel prices are increasing it is anticipated that wind generation at high wind sites will represent the most economical method for generating electrical energy in the near future… (more)
Global weather and economical changes have seen an increase in the demand for alternative energy resources, which consequently has lead to the optimization in the supply of electric power. Wind energy, is considered the second largest renewable resource after solar… (more)
With the first renewable energy bidding process now complete, the South African government is stepping into a greener future. Before they launch into the bid process however, renewable energy companies would have to have gone quite far in the development process of their wind parks… (more)
While South Africa will have its own challenges when it comes to public participation, the renewables industry here can learn from the experiences of the maturing UK wind energy industry: The most successful developments align their technical and environmental planning processes with public participation programmes ensuring their proposals are seen as beneficial by all interested and affected parties (I&APs)… (more)
In simplest terms, vibration in motorized equipment is merely the back and forth movement or oscillation of machines and components, such as drive motors, driven devices (pumps, compressors and so on) and the bearings, shafts, gears, belts and other elements that make up mechanical systems. Vibration in industrial equipment can be both a sign and a source of trouble. Other times, vibration just “goes with the territory” as a normal part of machine operation, and should not cause undue concern… (more)
Nickel-based batteries belong to the family of alkaline rechargeable batteries due to their use of an aqueous alkaline solution (potassium hydroxide, KOH, or sodium hydroxide, NaOH) as the electrolyte. Electrode materials are less reactive with alkaline electrolytes than with acid electrolytes… (more)
The National Energy Efficiency Strategy of March 2005 (reviewed in October 2008), proposes that by 2015, a final energy demand reduction of 12% should have been realized by South Africa. This translates to an average reduction of 1% per year between 2005 and 2015. The publication of SANS 941, Energy efficiency of electrical and electronic apparatus is a necessary step taken in line with the South African government policy in an effort to comply with the stipulated energy demand reduction requirements… (more)
Intelligent metering is increasingly being accepted as a vital tool for successful energy management and therefore for the effective administration and control of tenant billing. Metering is invaluable in helping a property owner or landlord to achieve his goals for energy measurement, tracking and ultimately overall management, according to Bradley Hemphill, managing director of Electrical Engineering Solutions (EES)… (more)
The electricity regulations for compulsory norms and standards for reticulation services of the Electricity Regulations Act No.4 of 2006 specifies that all end-users or customers with a monthly usage of 500 kWh or more need to be on a smart metering system and be on a time-of-use tariff by 1 January 2012… (more)
This paper describes two incidents in which spurious alternating current (AC) signals superimposed on a substation’s main direct current (DC) supply caused protection schemes to maloperate, tripping circuit-breakers. Two type testing standards, a regional standard from the United Kingdom and IEC 60255-22-7, are described which may be used to verify the immunity of protection components and schemes to power frequency AC interference on DC inputs… (more)
A “strayflux probe” is commonly used in the industry to determine if any inter-turn short-circuits are present in the field winding of a synchronous generator with a cylindrical rotor… (more)
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