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Transmission & Distribution News

Load banks allow for variable power factor loading

1st September 2017 The combined Asco Froment load bank (resistive/inductive) with Sigma load control and instrumentation hardware, allows for fully variable power factor loading and can test generators up to 800 kVA at 80% load, says Southern Africa Asco power switching and control components electric motor... →

Solutions specially designed for protection of data

1st September 2017 South Africa-based electrical and digital infrastructure product supplier Legrand Electrical’s extensive range of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems have buttons and light-emitting diode, known as LED, signalling that provide real-time control of the status of the UPS systems. →

COMPACT UPS These compact microprocessor-controlled UPS systems have an electronic automatic voltage regulator

Study urges South Africa to find energy storage niche

By: Mia Breytenbach 1st September 2017 With energy storage considered to be the “new wave” in the energy sector and increasingly becoming a reality, South Africa needs to prepare itself if it wishes to take advantage of the energy storage growth opportunities within the energy storage stationary value chain and the mobility value... →

Kusile Unit 1 brought into full commercial operation well ahead of schedule

By: Samantha Herbst 30th August 2017 Unit 1 of Eskom’s Kusile power station has been brought into full commercial operation, adding 800 MW of much-needed power to help stabilise the national power grid. This means that construction and optimisation of the unit is complete and the operator, Eskom Generation, has taken over the plant... →

Eskom interim group CEO Johnny Dladla

Kibo finalises transmission line bid for MCPP

By: Creamer Media Reporter 29th August 2017 Aim- and AltX-listed Kibo Mining has concluded the final bid clarification for the construction of the transmission line that will evacuate power from the Mbeya power plant to State-owned Tanesco’s Mbeya substation. The power plant forms part of Kibo’s Mbeya coal-to-power project (MCPP), which... →

Kibo CEO Louis Coetzee

Infrastructure key to unlocking trade and value chains across SADC region

By: Anine Kilian 25th August 2017 It is common cause that industrialisation across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is key to diversifying the regional economy away from its current reliance on export of raw commodities and to supporting economic growth and employment creation. There is broad acceptance that SADC... →

Tribunal hears settlement agreement involving wire cable industry association

By: Anine Kilian 23rd August 2017 The Competition Tribunal is considering a settlement agreement involving the Association of Electric Cable Manufacturers South Africa (AECMSA), which has admitted to fixing the selling price of electric power cables, largely affecting State-owned power utility Eskom, as well as large industries... →

Himoinsa

By: Zandile Mavuso 22nd August 2017 As a global corporation that designs, manufactures and distributes power generation equipment globally, Himoinsa adds incomparable application and engineering know-how, excellent design and service capabilities, delivering value beyond the equipment it produces. →

African conference strives to boost bioenergy industries

18th August 2017 Global conference organiser Centre for Management Technology (CMT) notes that its Biomass Trade & Bioenergy Africa conference will be held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sandton on September 28 and 29. CMT hopes that the conference will further development of the African biomass and bioenergy... →

GORGE FARM The commercial vegetable farm in Naivasha, Kenya, hosts a biogas plant as part of a larger renewable energy project - the Gorge Farm Energy Park

Parliamentary State capture probe hits first hurdle

By: African News Agency 16th August 2017 The investigation into State capture by Parliament’s portfolio committee on public enterprises on Wednesday hit its first hurdle as it was confirmed to members that the legislature would not pay for an independent evidence leader. Acting chairperson Zukiswa Rantho told MPs she had asked the chair... →

Outa commends Nersa’s decision on Eskom secrecy application

By: Anine Kilian 11th August 2017 The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) has welcomed the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa’s) decision to overrule State-owned Eskom’s application to omit some of its operating costs during its next multiyear price determination (MYPD) tariff application. Eskom had applied to... →

Rust-prevention sealing system ideal for corrosive environments

By: Nadine James 11th August 2017 Engineering components manufacturer Bearing Man Group’s (BMG’s) range of sealing products includes the Rust-Anode cold galvanisation system, designed for rust prevention in diverse industries, says BMG seals business unit manager Marc Gravett. He explains that Rust-Anode is the first active cold... →

MULTIPURPOSE PRODUCT Rust-Anode is perfect for applications where an anti-corrosion seal would be beneficial

Rail is the future of Africa’s industrialisation

4th August 2017 Rail infrastructure upgrades remain a core focus of the ongoing industrialisation of Africa, where the transportation of goods and commodities is often difficult and costly, owing to underinvestment in rail infrastructure, says multinational power and engine manufacturer and distributor Cummins. →

As batteries make power play, South Africa mulls market participation

By: Irma Venter 4th August 2017 The world changed more than could be imagined in the 1990s. Not only was it the advent of all things Internet and digital connectivity, it also saw the birth of the rechargeable lithium battery, required to charge humankind’s new tools, such as cellphones and laptop computers. Today the chase is... →

Zim staves off punitive action by Eskom, again – report

By: News24Wire 2nd August 2017 Zimbabwe government officials have held "tough negotiations" with managers at Eskom to prevent South Africa’s power utility cutting off supplies over a $40-million debt. Cash-strapped Harare has been given another chance not to default on a repayment plan, which had seen Eskom threatening to cut... →

Mayor Mashaba vows to end residents' billing woes

By: News24Wire 2nd August 2017 Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba has vowed to take charge of the billing crisis residents have been complaining about for years. "I promised the residents that they would get our very best to relieve them of the misery they have endured at the hands of our billing system. Unfortunately, to date,... →

SADC sees growth in electricity generation capacity

By: Anine Kilian 1st August 2017 Mainland member States of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) plan to add 30 646 MW of new electricity generation capacity by 2022. Addressing delegates at the SADC Infrastructure Week, in Johannesburg, on Tuesday, SADC Secretariat transport senior programme officer Mapolao Mokoena... →

Public Protector to investigate Brian Molefe over R30m ‘golden handshake’

By: African News Agency 24th July 2017 Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane has agreed to investigate disgraced former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe, for the R30 million “golden handshake” he received was awarded by the beleaguered power utility. Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Natasha Mazzone on Monday said her party requested the... →

Developed economy methodologies not the key to solving Africa’s energy poverty

By: Anine Kilian 19th July 2017 To overcome energy poverty, Africa will have to stop relying on Western solutions, that are appropriate for developed economies, to ensure access to electricity for citizens. Energy Security Services Africa head Gareth Gregory on Wednesday told delegates at the PowerGen Africa conference, in... →

Africa’s energy future lies in solar energy, says CEO

By: Anine Kilian 19th July 2017 The future of Africa’s energy sector must rest in solar power if it is going to overcome the obstacles it currently faces, according to Zimbabwe-based renewable energy company Samansco CEO Nyasha Bamhare. Addressing delegates at the PowerGen Africa conference, which is taking place in Sandton... →

Request for SIU probe of Eskom submitted to President Zuma

By: Terence Creamer 18th July 2017 Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown confirmed on Tuesday that she had submitted a formal request to President Jacob Zuma for the establishment of a Special Investigations Unit (SIU) investigation into allegations of impropriety at State-owned utility Eskom. Speaking on the sidelines of the... →

Photo by Duane Daws
Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown

Africa’s energy funding costs, capital access, risk profile under the spotlight

By: Natasha Odendaal 18th July 2017 Aligning power generation and distribution projects with the host country and government’s mandate is a step forward in attracting more internal and external financing to develop comprehensive energy and power infrastructure. This is one of the messages emerging from this year’s PowerGen Africa... →

Temporary mobile transformer helps Loeriesfontein connect to the grid

By: Samantha Herbst 18th July 2017 The Northern Cape-based Loeriesfontein Wind Farm has been making use of a mobile transformer to allow for an early connection to the grid for the commissioning of the turbines – a temporary solution until the wind farm can connect to the Helios substation, which is the permanent grid connection.... →

Event to facilitate meaningful and relevant debate

By: Robyn Wilkinson 14th July 2017 The POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa advisory board has gone to great lengths to ensure that this year’s conference programme is tailored to meaningfully address the issues most relevant to Africa’s power generation sector and supported by a showcase of suppliers who can practically assist in... →

PLOTTING FUTURE PATHS
Creative thinking is needed to devise a representative power-generation portfolio that leverages all the options available

Photo by Bloomberg
PLOTTING FUTURE PATHS Creative thinking is needed to devise a representative power-generation portfolio that leverages all the options available

Energy storage solutions to be leveraged in South Africa

By: Robyn Wilkinson 14th July 2017 The decreasing cost of energy storage solutions presents many opportunities for South Africa to manage the key issue of localised peak load power generation more efficiently, says green energy solutions provider Freedom Won cofounder and director Antony English. →

ANTONY ENGLISH AND LIZETTE KRIEL The co-founders of Freedom Won are confident that demand for energy storage will continue to grow in South Africa in the long-term

Focus shifts to power distribution

14th July 2017 Global professional services provider Accenture resources MD and associate director Ken Robinson – who will be speaking at this year’s POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa – says South Africa’s generation crisis is largely under control, but that power supply challenges loom in distribution. →

FOCUS ON DISTRIBUTION The backlog in municipal power infrastructure maintenance is growing and could result in more blackouts, especially in rural areas and small towns

New solutions make LNG to power a reality in Africa

By: Robyn Wilkinson 14th July 2017 Marine and energy solutions provider Wärtsilä will present solutions that provide a way for the South African government to realise its liquefied natural gas (LNG)-to-power ambitions in a realistic, cost-effective and swift manner at this year’s POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa. →

NEW AVENUES New technologies enable the delivery of smaller volumes of liquefied natural gas to almost any coastal location

Power crucial to Africa’s economic development

By: Robyn Wilkinson 14th July 2017 With strong correlations between electric capacity and economic development, access to reliable and cost-effective power is crucial to enabling nations to harness the productive capabilities of their people and obtain meaningful growth, says engineering, procurement and construction company Black... →

WEBB MEKO POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa is the ideal platform to shift the conversations surrounding new power technology into meaningful action

New variable-speed drive showcased at European expo

14th July 2017 Last month multinational industrial machinery manufacturer Voith exhibited power industry solutions at the POWER-GEN Europe 2017 conference and exhibition, and one of the main features was its new variable speed drive (VSD), the VECO-Drive, intended to enhance the efficiency of rotating... →

DRIVING FORCE The VECO-Drive increases input speed and generates a high output speed for compressors or pumps

Competition aims to unearth African energy startups

By: Creamer Media Reporter 11th July 2017 A competition aimed at identifying innovative startups in the field of electricity access in Africa has been launched, following an agreement between energy multinational Enel and Swiss-based Seedstars World, which facilitates startup competitions in more that 75 countries. Dubbed the ‘Africa... →

Civil society, business speak out against Eskom for MYPD noncompliance

By: Anine Kilian 7th July 2017 The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) has requested the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to reject State-owned power utility Eskom’s application for permission to omit critical statistics in its upcoming Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD) electricity price application. The... →

Eskom financial planning and economic regulation GM Calib Cassim

Blockchain will have big impact on electricity sector, KPMG asserts

By: David Oliveira 7th July 2017 A number of new technology developments are expected to impact the global electricity sector, including virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, Big Data and the Internet of Things (IoT), however, tax, audit and advisory firm KPMG South Africa senior manager Nevellan Moodley says... →

Increased battery efficiency for electric forklift fleets

By: Marleny Arnoldi 7th July 2017 Industrial battery management system (BMS) developer Balancell has turned electric forklift batteries into smart connected devices for increased lifespan and efficiency. →

TOGETHER FOR LONGER Individual cell monitoring and balancing extend the life of industrial batteries

Eskom board confident of turnaround

By: African News Agency 6th July 2017 Eskom’s newly-reconstituted board on Thursday expressed its support on the strides made by executive management in turning around the company’s operational and financial performance, as well as the overall strategy of sustaining this momentum. This comes after a two-day board induction session... →

Photo by Duane Daws
Eskom interim chairperson Zethembe Khoza

Sacked City Power MD denies corruption allegations

By: Megan van Wyngaardt 5th July 2017 Former City Power MD Sicelo Xulu, who was relieved from his position by City of Johannesburg (CoJ) Mayor Herman Mashaba this week, denied media reports that he was corrupt or that there was any corruption within the municipal entity. Mashaba earlier this week said a forensic report tabled in... →

City Power MD fired

By: News24Wire 4th July 2017 The managing director of Johannesburg’s power utility City Power has been relieved from all his contractual responsibilities, City of Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba said on Monday. In a statement, Mashaba said a forensic report tabled in front of City Power’s board last week detailed serious... →

Outa to oppose Eskom’s bid to deviate from normal electricity price application

By: African News Agency 4th July 2017 The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) said on Tuesday that it would be opposing Eskom’s bid to deviate from the Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD), which will set electricity prices for 2018. This comes after Outa convinced the National Energy Regulator (Nersa) to hold a public hearing on... →

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