Electrical Power Generation & Transmission

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Electrical Power Generation and Transmission

Electricity grids to benefit from IoT

By: Nadine Ramdass 16th April 2021 Embracing renewable energy, adapting business models, reducing operational expenditure and using Internet of Things (IoT) technologies can lead to effective power generation and transmission, says University of Pretoria (UP) associate professor Raj Naidoo. While the energy model for electricity... →

Sector gets skills development boost

By: Nadine Ramdass 16th April 2021 The off-grid energy sector is continuing to grow, with shifts towards using standalone off-grid and renewable-energy-powered minigrid systems, as such systems can provide electricity in areas where current grid infrastructure cannot reach. However, despite the growth in the sector, there has been... →

WORKSHOP UNDERWAY TEA-LP Workshop at Strathmore University, Nairobi TEA-LP has partner universities in eight African countries

Solar to offer relief for the grid

By: Nadine Ramdass 16th April 2021 Southern Africa is familiar with low levels of electricity access and frequent electricity power cuts, owing to dilapidating infrastructure and its inadequacy to provide electricity in rural areas. However, using alternative and more affordable energy sources, such as solar, wind and... →

Kudzaishe Chivandire, CFA Stakeholders need to work together to ensure Southern Africa reaches energy mix potential

Suppression system averts oil transformer fires

By: Tracy Hancock 17th April 2020 Mitigating risks on oil-filled transformers is a primary concern for various firms that make use of this high-value equipment. Although safety in the engineering of transformers is increasingly being improved, efficient fire-suppression technology that will mitigate the risk posed on the business... →

LOCALISED SUPPRESSION I-CAT has several installations of its localised suppression system scheduled for transformers in Mozambique and Ghana

Decarbonising of local power generation sedate

By: Tracy Hancock 17th April 2020 Decarbonising South Africa’s electricity generation is no longer a technical challenge, it is a political and economic issue, says University of Pretoria Graduate School of Technology Management professor David Walwyn. The Integrated Resource Plan 2019 (IRP 2019) forecasts that it will take... →

RENEWED PROJECTION The growing appeal of grid-tied and standalone rooftop solar systems may alter the Integrated Resource Plan’s 30-year projection for the decarbonising of South Africa’s electric power generation

Vexila – Electrical Technology

17th April 2020 Vexila (Pty) Ltd designs, manufactures and supplies a wide range of composite insulators, composite cut-outs and a variety of line hardware products for electrical rail, transmission and distribution overhead power line infra-structure. Established over 45 years ago, Vexila was founded as... →

Modular power solutions increasing in Africa

By: Simone Liedtke 17th April 2020 In most power plants across Africa, clients prefer to install modular-type solutions, also known as containerised solutions or e-houses, and dry-type transformers fit “perfectly” within this scope, says transformer supplier and specialist Trafo Power Solutions MD David Claassen. The preference... →

DAVID CLAASSEN Trafo also designs and customises its transformers according to client specifications and requirements

Renewable energy solves current sector woes

By: Mamaili Mamaila 19th April 2019 Renewable energy provides solutions for the challenges associated with power generation, as the price of photovoltaics and wind energy technologies have gone down owing to the increase in the efficiency of the technologies, says Stellenbosch University Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy... →

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Solutions is facilitating and coordinating cutting-edge research and development in the power sector

EMVAfrica

19th April 2019 EMVAfrica stocks and supplies industrial stainless steel pipes, tubes, fittings, flanges as well as valves and actuators. The powerful new EMVAfrica brand stems from the consolidation of three solid companies - Energy Engineered Products, Multi Alloys and E-Metals Cape. →

Plan required for uptake of 4IR in power sector

By: Mamaili Mamaila 19th April 2019 The power generation and transmission sector has been slow in the uptake of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), says global engineering company Aurecon Group energy unit manager Sibu Mvana. →

Software upgrade for Sky Eye Elios drones in the pipeline

By: Mamaili Mamaila 19th April 2019 Rope-access company Skyriders Access Specialists will partner with a local software company to advance the current software on its Sky Eye Elios drones, as it continues to refine the technology in line with its ongoing inspection and maintenance work at various industrial plants this year. →

POWER RIDE Skyriders’ rope access and drone solutions gives the company an edge in the industry

Ongoing copper cable theft negatively affects power capacity

By: Mamaili Mamaila 19th April 2019 Ongoing copper cable theft from companies, such as State-owned power utility Eskom, has devastating effects on the local copper industry, says Copper Development Association Africa (CDAA) executive chairperson Evert Swanepoel. →

COPPER ALLIANCE The high demand for copper and copper alloys, with demand mainly from the Asian region, particularly China, is causing expensive exports to many countries

Partnership ensures reliable power transmission

By: Mamaili Mamaila 19th April 2019 To ensure reliable power transmission, solar industry supplier Valsa is partnering with solar energy equipment suppliers A+Sun, SAT Control, Jinko Solar, Seraphim, Viasolis and electronics company Schweizer, as well as funding institutions, to provide funding for solar photovoltaic (PV) projects. →

TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT Valsa brings the latest technology in panels and tracking systems to the market while localising some of the production

Access to finance hampers power sector progress

By: Mamaili Mamaila 19th April 2019 Among the challenges facing the power generation sector is access to finance to upgrade and maintain power infrastructure to extend the life of existing assets in a sustainable way, especially when it comes to new digital technologies, says international power generation company General Electric... →

Company offers customisable electrical distribution solution

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 20th April 2018 Transformer supplier Trafo Power Solutions is offering dry-type mini substations as a complete and customisable electrical distribution solution for several applications. “Mini substations generally include oil transformers, but Trafo Power Solutions is now able to design and deliver dry-type... →

MADE-TO-ORDER Well proven dry-type technology is being used in Trafo Power Solutions’ customised dry-type mini substations

Distributed generation can mitigate transmission constraints in Africa

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 20th April 2018 Investment in the African transmission grid and distributed generation solutions could be viable in mitigating the challenge of providing access to electricity, says power generation original-equipment manufacturer Himoinsa. “Whether owing to transmission constraints or distribution issues,... →

MATTHEW BELL Himoinsa has spent a lot of time developing a distributed generation offering to the marketplace

Investor interest in Africa’s power sectors remains significant

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 20th April 2018 Despite the downturn in commodity prices that led to more subdued growth in several of Africa’s resource-intense economies, there is still significant investor interest in Africa’s power sectors, says multidisciplinary engineering consultancy WSP Africa power transmission and distribution... →

DINESH BULDOO Transmission and distribution networks are equally critical components to electrifying Africa

Renewable energy crucial to Africa’s power

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 20th April 2018 Many African leaders have realised the crucial role that renewable energy can and will play in “bringing power to their people”, says multidisciplinary engineering consultancy WSP Africa power transmission and distribution director Dinesh Buldoo. “The return-on-investment of renewable power... →

POWER OF NATURE
Many African leaders have realised the crucial role that renewable energy can and will play in bringing power to their people

Photo by Creamer Media
POWER OF NATURE Many African leaders have realised the crucial role that renewable energy can and will play in bringing power to their people

Africa pursuing diversified energy investments to deliver power

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 20th April 2018 Africa has an abundance of energy resources that can be brought online rapidly and cost effectively, says engineering, procurement and construction services provider Black & Veatch sub-Saharan Africa business development director Webb Meko. With governments realising that no single technology... →

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ2yoZpx3Lo

Cogeneration valuable to S Africa’s energy mix

By: Robyn Wilkinson 21st April 2017 With cleaner energy technology rapidly advancing and industries increasingly aiming to stabilise their power supply through off-grid generation alternatives, energy solutions provider Vuselela Energy director Jacques Malan is confident that cogeneration systems can offer a valuable power... →

AWARD-WINNING SOLUTIONS Vuselela Energy’s Eternity Power project is enabling a smelter in Rustenburg to harvest thermal energy and convert it into energy

Alternative power supply approach to benefit low-income areas

By: Robyn Wilkinson 21st April 2017 Alternative energy supply company Specialized Solar Systems (SSS) is making significant headway in driving the large-scale implementation of its solar-powered distributed direct current microgrids, which incorporate the Internet of Things (IoT) to supply energy to low-income areas in the form of... →

Generator giant to expand its Southern Africa network

By: Robyn Wilkinson 21st April 2017 Power generation equipment developer Himoinsa’s new subsidiary, Himoinsa Southern Africa, will provide a base from which the company can develop its geophysical footprint in Southern Africa by expanding and supporting its existing distribution network. →

STRENGTHENING NETWORKS Himoinsa’s new subsidiary will operate primarily as a base to provide more technical and after-sales support for Himoinsa’s distributor network Southern Africa

Clamp an effective cable-theft solution

By: Robyn Wilkinson 21st April 2017 Industrial equipment supplier Banding and Identification Solutions Africa is seeing a rise in demand from the electric power sector for its Ultra-Lok open-end clamp, owing to cable theft causing substantial disruptions in South Africa’s power supply. →

Cross-border power to boost African economies

By: Robyn Wilkinson 21st April 2017 With the announcement of an ambitious power project to connect Cape Town and Cairo within the next three years by regional orhganisation the Eastern Africa Power Pool, the opportunities for reliable cross-border electricity generation are once again in the spotlight, says power generation... →

Integrated energy solutions Africa’s answer

By: Robyn Wilkinson 21st April 2017 While several large-scale energy projects in Africa are progressing positively, growing global interest in sustainability and renewable energy highlights the need to actively pursue other low-cost, fast-tracked integrated energy solutions that will benefit Africans without access to electricity,... →

3 500 North West households to be electrified

29th July 2016 State-owned power utility Eskom GM Phil Khumalo says that the utility is committed to electrifying more than 3 500 households in the Madibeng local municipality in North West by the end of this financial year. →

Power builds to continue despite decreased demand across industries

By: Robyn Wilkinson 29th July 2016 Despite a decrease in demand for energy from the mining and related industries, construction, engineering and mining contractor Murray & Roberts Power & Water platform CEO Steve Harrison believes that the power station builds at Medupi, in Limpopo, and Kusile, in Mpumalanga, will continue to... →

MEDUPI POWER STATION Unit 5 at Medupi first fired on oil in June

Agency supports waste-to-energy project in SA

29th July 2016 The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has awarded a grant to South African renewable energy project developer MBHE African Power to support a waste-to-energy project in the Drakenstein municipality, in the Western Cape. →

S Africa renewables sector growing well

By: Robyn Wilkinson 29th July 2016 Engineering firm Arup associate director Mariaan Woest believes that the renewables sector is growing well in South Africa, with Arup selected as a consultant on many of the projects approved in the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). →

MARIAAN WOEST Micro hydros are the way forward in terms of electricity on a more localised scale

Solar gaining traction in South Africa

By: Robyn Wilkinson 29th July 2016 Adequate, reliable and affordable electricity supply remains a challenge in South Africa for businesses and homeowners, and solar energy is gaining momentum as a key area of focus to provide solutions for these challenges. →

KARAGLEN SHOPPING CENTRE The installation of 1 250 units of solar modules at the centre in Edenvale is one of the biggest solar projects of its kind completed in Gauteng to date

Construction on the largest solar field in S Africa to start in 2017

29th July 2016 Norwegian power producer Scatec Solar plans to start construction by mid-2017 on three new adjacent solar projects in Upington, in the Northern Cape, which will form the largest solar field in South Africa and one of the biggest in the world with a combined peak capacity of 258 MW. →

Clearing environmental hurdles to power supply growth

29th July 2016 Environmental consultant SRK Consulting is developing an enabling framework that will help power projects in South Africa to streamline the process of acquiring environmental approvals, in order to avoid unnecessary delays in implementation. →

Concentrated solar plants valuable for South Africa

By: Robyn Wilkinson 29th July 2016 As baseload plants, concentrated solar plants (CSPs) are highly sought after in the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), says infrastructure operations and maintenance (O&M) company Invest in Africa Holdings (IIAH) director Gabriel Reeder. →

MULTIPLE BENEFITS
The Bokpoort concentrated solar plant is providing significant economic and social development for the iKheis municipal community

Investing in Africa Holdings directors Gabriel Reeder and Mandla Sibanda discuss the value of concentrated solar plants in South Africa

Power factor correction to help lessen load

By: Simon Sonnekus 15th April 2016 The rise in electricity costs and the drop in commodity prices have led businesses across the industrial and commercial spectrum to look at how their electrical equipment converts electric current into useful power output in order to save on power by making use of power factor correction (PFC),... →

Current trends shift company’s focus to IPPs

By: Simon Sonnekus 15th April 2016 Current market conditions and trends within the power sector have enabled heat exchanger supplier Kelvion to focus on supplying replacement heat exchange equipment and maintenance products within the existing power plant installed base as well as focusing on independent power producers (IPPs),... →

Innovative power generation projects share award

By: Simon Sonnekus 15th April 2016 To encourage the innovation of a system that generates and transmits power independently, this year’s African Energy Awards, held in Sandton, Gauteng, last month, awarded the innovation prize to a urine-powered battery system and an Eternity power thermal harvesting project. Menlopark high... →

AFRICAN ENERGY AWARDS Both Nicole Barwise and Vuselela Energy were awarded the R300 000 innovation prize

Redistribution key for Africa’s power future

By: Simon Sonnekus 15th April 2016 The codevelopment and equal distribution of power between countries in Africa, along with focused research and development strategies around redistribution will provide more Africans with electricity in the future, says State-owned power utility Eskom MD for corporate affairs Chose Choeu.... →

CHOSE CHOEU
Eskom and other power providers across the continent should also increase efforts to decentralise electrification solutions

Photo by Duane Daws
CHOSE CHOEU Eskom and other power providers across the continent should also increase efforts to decentralise electrification solutions

Quality expansion joints essential for efficiency

By: Donna Slater 31st July 2015 The quality of materials used in fabric expansion joints cannot be compromised as they perform a critical role in the combustion process, says expansion joints manufacturer Flextra Engineered Products. →

DUVHA RETROFIT Flextra is retrofitting fabric expansion joints at Eskom’s Duvha power station on all its vertical-duct expansion joints

Editorial Insight

Urgent solution needed

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Dean Thompson

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DUSTBIN OF HISTORY

South Africa simply cannot afford a repeat of 2021 this year. Further delays in dealing with the country’s big problems of load-shedding, economic and social crime, vaccine hesitancy and, most worryingly, a growth rate that is too low to make a dent into chronic unemployment will set the scene for the type of deadly instability that gripped the country in July last year. Decisive policymaking and diligent implementation are the only ways to confine 2021 to the dustbin of history.

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