Shoprite Holdings commissioned WSP Africa, one of the world's leading engineering professional services firms, to design a medium voltage (MV) power distribution system for their new Cilmor Distribution Centre. The system had to provide reliable, continuous power to three large warehouses despite regular utility load shedding issues which were causing an average of two power outages per day.

Shoprite wanted a system which would limit their environmental footprint, stay within project budget and minimize total cost of ownership.
 
Shoprite needed MV switchgear capable of withstanding 10,000 open/close operations, but unfortunately, Saverio Talotti, Regional Director, WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff, was unable to find switchgear on the market at the time which had been tested to 10,000 operations.
 
WSP was also shopping for an SF6-free solution. Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) gas is a dielectric which has been used for years by the electric power industry to help prevent arc flash. Unfortunately, SF6 is also a potent greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential, and its concentration in the earth’s atmosphere is rapidly increasing.
 
Eaton’s environmentally friendly (SF6-free) Xiria E was an ideal solution but the new design needed to be tested to 10,000 operations.  End-of life costs for Xiria E can be up to 25% lower than other equipment (based on the original purchasing cost) and disposal does not pose a threat to human health or the environmental.
 
Eaton Power Systems Engineering in Hengelo, Netherlands upgraded the Xiria E equipment for WSP, adding a rapid motor switch mechanism and more robust components. They then tested the ruggedized Xiria E equipment to 10,000 operations. These modifications have now become standard on Xiria E switchgear.
 
“At the time the project began, Xiria E had been tested for up to 5,000 operations, but not to 10,000,” said Marcel Buckner, Eaton’s electrical solutions and services business development manager for Africa. “Normal lifecycle for such products is around 2,000 operations, so the Xiria E had to be modified to ensure it could withstand 10,000 operations.”
 
“Eaton’s proposal made the most sense, environmentally and economically – both in terms of up-front costs and total cost of ownership,” says Talotti. “This was a huge difference that had a major impact on project cost.”
 
“Awareness of environmental responsibility is growing in South Africa, and like many companies, Shoprite is watching this carefully,” says Talotti. “End-of-life disposal of switchgear using SF6 is a major concern and a major cost in South Africa.”
 
Shoprite will continue to benefit from their choice of Xiria E over the lifetime of the switchgear. They’re assured of immediate support for troubleshooting, maintenance and life extension from Eaton’s South Africa service team. And the lower end-of-life environmental impact and disposal cost of Xiria E will contribute significantly to a lower total cost of ownership.
 
Meanwhile, WSP has been specifying Xiria E on other projects and says they will continue to rely on Eaton. “The honesty and support we get from Eaton makes me more confident working with them. The local support Eaton provides is fantastic.”