Eskom is set to showcase its advanced technologies and operating models at Africa’s premier power sector conference and expo in Sandton this week.

As the host utility at POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa, Eskom will lead sessions for pan-African power sector stakeholders, illustrating how its new strategy delivered an operational surplus energy capacity of 3600MW, which, along with its maintenance and build programme, are expected to meet the country’s demand while also allowing increased exports to the region until 2021.

WillyMajola, Acting Group Executive: Generation at Eskom, said on Eskom’s improved performance over the past year: “We are saying to big business ‘we are open for business. Let’s power the growth of the South African economy and the region’.”

Nigel Blackaby, Director of Conferences at event organisersPenWell International Power Group, says: “A key drawcard for the thousands of delegates who travel to POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa every year is knowledge transfer such as this; where African governments and utilities can share case studies and learn from others who have faced the same challenges they do, within the African context. Eskom’s participation, as well as the participation of a high-level sub-Saharan African delegation, allows for topical and relevant exchanges that support power sector development across the continent.”

At POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa 2017, Eskom will host the Eskom Workshop Forum, with presentations and case studies by the utility’s leading experts. Eskom’s talks on technical best practice will include talks on 19 July around Predicting Condenser Back Pressure and Potential Load Losses using Artificial Neutral Networks; Online Rankine Cycle Tool with Diagnostics; A Simplified Method for Turbine Stage-by-Stage Process Modelling; a Framework for Effective Implementation of Project Controls within a Power Utility Context; The Potential of Rooftop PV (Commercial and Residential) to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) Emissions in South Africa; The Use of Flownex Two Phase Flow Modelling Capability to Solve Piping Dynamic Movement Problem; and Assessment of Geographical Based Load Forecast Technique at Eskom Distribution.

On 20 July, Eskom will facilitate discussions on Case Studies on the Challenges and Successes of Employing Online Gas Analysers on Power Transformers in Eskom; Measures to Reduce Copper Theft in Substations; Modular Design of Substation Foundations; New Tower Designs for Eskom Power Lines; The Importance of Geotechnical Recommendations and Considerations During the Design of a Substation especially in Cases of Problematic Soils; and BFPT & SFP Rotor Dynamic Finite Element Analysis.

POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa 2017 will address key power generation and distribution trends, challenges and opportunities across Africa, covering areas such as technology, strategy and legislation for coal, renewables and nuclear power. The free-to-attend opening keynote session on Tuesday 18 July will be addressed by South Africa’s Minister for Public Enterprises, Lynne Brown and Eskom’s Interim Chairman Zethembe Khoza, and attended by a number of sub-Saharan Ministers and top government officials. Another highlight of the event will be a one-day forum on Africa’s Nuclear Future on Wednesday 19 July.

The co-located events traditionally attract around 3000 attendees from governments, utilities, power producers, academia, consulting and power industry professionals, engineers and representatives of affiliated private enterprises. POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa 2017 also supports networking and lead generation through a B2B Matchmaking service for exhibitors and show visitors, making it the premier platform for the African power sector.

The exhibition area, open to all stakeholders at no charge, will put buyers in contact with over 80 leading international exhibitors. Visitors will have an opportunity to view the latest technology solutions and services, with product demonstrations and launches throughout the event. The exhibition area will also feature the Gen-X Theatre, where up and coming young power sector engineers will present innovative ideas daily.