Energize special issue:  AMEU Proceedings
  
E-Newsletter for the Power and Energy Sectors of Southern Africa        Issue 30  January 2010
Opening speech by AMEU president 
by Ms Sy Gourrah, AMEU President

Sy GourrahThe need for "Improving the Management of Our Electricity Resources" comes when we have numerous challenges in our industry. Issues we are addressing revolve around the power constraints, with the need to reduce energy consumption, the power conservation programme (PCP), the implementation of energy efficiency and DSM initiatives, as well as IPPs, cogeneration and renewable energy feed-in tariffs... (more)

Welcoming address
by Minister of Energy, Dipuo Peters

Minister Dipou PetersThe electricity sector has never been as vulnerable as it is today. On the supply side, our power stations are performing sub-optimally as they edge closer to their end of life. We have started to see a declining system performance not inconsistent with 30-and 40-year old plant. This happens at the same time that we seek to spur economic growth to levels that are important for job creation and poverty eradication, as well as in a period that we are spearheading action as government to steer our country out of the economic recession that challenged us so severely in recent times... (more)

ACTOM companies partner with local municipalities to strengthen service delivery
Information from ACTOM
 
ACTOM (formerly Alstom South Africa) is a proud partner and supplier to the country's municipal sector. After rebranding to ACTOM in early September 2009, South Africa's largest electrical engineering group was a major sponsor at this year's AMEU conference and showcased their range of relevant product and service offerings to delegates during the four-day event held in Port Elizabeth... (more)
Asset management: The interface between the business and the system     
by H Mostert, City of Cape Town     

An integrated asset management structure is the key to the success of any structure or business. Without a formal framework in place, you will not succeed in getting the benefits required from the system. One of the reasons that service delivery fails in a municipal environment is that it does not work with an integrated system (a lot of stand alone systems) or the system in use is not correctly implemented. The system that we use does not support the management of assets. It gives preference to financial issues rather than make sure that the building blocks integrate and support each other... (more)

Engineering contribution policy and effective implementation 
by Dwayne Baker and Danie van Wyk, uMhlathuze Municipality and Motla Engineering
 
NRS 069 is published and available since 2004 to guide distributors on the correct implementation of engineering contributions for electrical services. Over and above these guidelines, an approved policy from council is required together with a sound methodology representing the unique arrangements of each specific distributor to ensure successful... (more)
Reinventing old grids - taking steps to assess the risk of failure
by X Lembede and S Xulu, City Power Johannesburg

Most electrical networks have reached an operating age where some equipment has reached or exceeded its original design life. Restoring the integrity of distribution networks to an acceptable level thus seems to be a mammoth task. A systematic and focused approach should be adopted in identifying and implementing strengthening and refurbishment requirements that will ensure long-term, sustainable infrastructure.The approach should follow sound and holistic asset management principles... (more)

Compact substation solutions
by Chris de Kock, ABB South Africa 
 
Substation designs have generally followed air insulated technology or gas insulated technology. When faced with space constraints or the need to reduce the investment cost of substations, creative adaptations of air insulated substation designs like transformer feeders and Jericho schemes together with smaller protection schemes have been used successfully... (more)
The evolution of pre-paid metering and load control systems
by Andy Stoner, Landis+Gyr
 
Pre-paid electricity metering systems have a 20-year history in South Africa and centralised load management, in the guise of so-called "ripple control systems", much longer than that. Both technologies have been extremely successful over the years in their respective domains, but the world is constantly moving on and the whole global energy scenario today looks vastly different from what it did even ten years ago... (more)
Power quality portal - a practical web based PQ management system 
by Willie van Wyk, CT Lab
 
This paper analyses the current state of the South African Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) to motivate the importance of managing PQ on a daily basis. Different PQ management role-players are then identified and their PQ management strategies discussed to derive the user requirement of a Southern African power quality monitoring system... (more)
Bushing failures in medium voltage switchgear 
by C van Heerden, City of Cape Town, and A Rogerson, EA Technology Services
 
The City of Cape Town has sustained a significant number of bushing failures in medium voltage switchgear, mostly effecting catastrophic damage to buildings and adjacent plant. The purpose of this paper is to share experiences regarding the causes of these failures and possible remedies... (more)
South African Distribution Grid Code phase 2 implementation 
by Lucky Nhlanhla Ngidi, NERSA
 
This paper is a follow up and a rehash of the South African Distribution Code that was presented by NERSA in the 2007 AMEU convention held in Durban ICC. The presentation explained the approval of the South African Distribution Code by the energy regulator, as well as the phase 1 implementation process... (more)
Challenges of providing energy infrastructure in a big city 
by X Lembede and S Xulu, City Power Johannesburg 
 
Planning usually takes a long time to compile formidable plans for the city and utilities involved. The rapid development within the big cities has presented great challenges to this crucial phase in the growth strategy of the cities. Some authoritiescannot respond fast enough to the demands of the cities and the volume of work that comes with all the city's needs... (more)
Skills development and staff retention  
by Adrian Vermaak, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality 
 
The Electricity and Energy Directorate of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has embraced a culture of learning by introducing key educating principles that are effective in developing, recruiting and retaining staff. It is as a result of this environment and the opportunities afforded that I am able to comment positively on the rich returns in human capital investment... (more)
Telemanagement of public streetlighting infrastructures  
by Jason Smith, Beka
 
Streetlighting fulfils many roles within our environment, although mostly facilitating a safety and security function.This is compromised through vandalism, cable theft, failures in lamps, ballasts, circuit breakers, and electrical supply infrastructures... (more)
Non-technical losses - how do other countries tackle the problem?  
by Ron Millard, PB Power South Africa, and Mike Emmerton, PB Power Hong Kong  
 
Technical losses in a distribution network are well understood and their reduction is essentially an engineering issue. Non-technical losses, on the other hand, although also well understood have evolved into an art form and their reduction requires innovation and persistence. In South Africa prepayment meters were adopted as the "solution" but it has been said that theft and non-payment of electricity are equivalent to the output of one Eskom "Six Pack" power station. year... (more)
National Code of Practice: emergency load reduction and system restoration practices  
 by R G Koch , J Correia, Eskom; A Dold, eThekweni Electricity; D Marais, uMhlathuze Municipality (AMEU); P van Niekerk, EIUG; K M Motaung, NERSA; M Mncube, DPE, and P Johnson, NRS 
 
The country's infrastructure, of which the power system forms an essential part, is exposed to a variety of threats. Unlike countries more regularly exposed to the impact of such threats, South African society is relatively unprepared for the associated disruptions. The increasing dependency of society on electricity, and the potential for such threats materialising, requires that deliberate predetermined measures be implemented to manage such emergencies... (more)
Voltage power optimisation: energy efficient facilities for municipalities  
by Alan Palmer, Power Optimisa
 
Making significant electricity energy savings often means either significant shifts in process procedures, or major technology investments. The majority of "easy" savings in electricity often come from downstream of the mains distribution room: usually achieved with the use of low energy light bulbs, complex management control systems, upgrading to more efficient equipment etc. Few people consider fully and deal with, the actual quality of power from the grid that enters their building... (more)
Role of human risk-taking behaviour and legislative standards on electrical incidents  
by Willem J du Toit, Saftek
 
South Africa has, due to its cultural, political and historical background, a far wider difference in individual risk perception, and as such, this would have a much greater impact on health and safety (H&S) management than other western countries. The purpose of the study is to determine what influence the individual's perception of risk has on H&S practices in the South African electrical industry... (more)
Practical perspective of the RED business model  
by Dr. Willie de Beer, EDI Holdings 
 
The electricity distribution industry (EDI) in South Africa which serves approximately 9-million end customers, employs 31 000 people and has an asset base of R260-billion (2008 replacement value) is a more complex business than what is appreciated at times. The average age of the asset base is 45 years. While this industry is generating revenue, sustainability is at significant risk and without a holistic and structured intervention the ability to render a reliable service to end-customers is at risk... (more)
A fatality involving a subcontractor on a substation construction project   
by Dwayne Baker, uMhlathuze Municipality
 
The purpose of this paper is to inform and highlight the need for more stringent controls around risk assessment in operating procedures and training. The focus is risk assessment on certain construction regulations, a lack of which in this particular case study, resulted in a fatality. More attention should be given to risk assessment in other engineering fields in the construction of our electrical infrastructure... (more)
Safety... can it be regulated?  
by Robert Ferrier, Buffalo City Municipality
 
It is usually quite easy to establish the technical causes for the accidents as there are regulations in place that guide an investigation. I have always felt that there were underlying facts that had an influence on accidents and I decided to investigate the underlying causes.The question I asked myself was "Can safety be regulated?" Some may agree with me and some may not but if in the end, I have stimulated debate around safety, then I will have achieved my goal... (more)
Safety operations on medium voltage switchgear   
by Barry Gass, Alstom Protection and Control
 
It is important when operating on medium voltage equipment that we follow the safety rules and operating regulations in order to be safe. This paper covers general safe operations on medium voltage equipment and looks at the aspects of switching, isolating, testing and earthing, as well as various types of medium voltage testers and their usage... (more)
Safety paper on an incident arising from an illegal electricity connection 
by Mark Donaldson, Endumeni Municipality
 
An incident arising from an illegal electricity connection promoted me to prepare this safety paper. During the investigation by the municipal electrical department, it was found that the house was illegally connected as the meter had previously been removed and the supply switched off. The illegal connection was done in such a way that the house circuit breaker was unable to trip... (more)
Stadium electricity supplies - an assessment of the specification and readiness 
by T R Edmondson and Dr. C G Carter-Brown, Eskom
 
In a few months the world's largest and most anticipated sporting event will take place in South Africa. South Africa and the African continent will be showcased. Millions of viewers will tune in to matches, the broadcast of which will be critically dependent on the provision of uninterrupted high quality electrical power. The South African electrical supply industry (ESI) is critical in the preparation and execution of this historical event... (more)
Lessons for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa from the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup 
by Sicelo Xulu and Xolani Lembede, City Power; Sanjay Bhana, Eskom; Adam Pobe, Centlec; and Gert Booysen,Tshwane Electricity 
 
The only test run in preparation for the 2010 FWC was the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa (2009 FCC) which took place from 14 to 28 June 2009.As an essential service that underpins economic growth, the Electricity Supply Industry has a significant contribution to make in the form of a reliable supply of electricity for the 2010 FWC... (more)
Renewable energy in South Africa: resources, research and projects  
by Prof. J L van Niekerk, Stellenbosch University  
 
South Africa is blessed with an abundant variety of renewable energy resources. Solar energy, is in abundance in South Africa, especially in the north western parts. The wind energy resource is limited to the Northern, Eastern and Western Cape Provinces but even in this regard South Africa has the potential to generate gigawatts using conventional, land base wind turbine technology... (more)
Legislation's role in promoting the acceptance of renewable energy into society 
by Neil Van der Merwe, KV3 Engineers  
 
The renewable energy industry forms part of a greater social contract, a contract between all members of society that entails the move from unsustainable energy to renewable energy  - at a rate commensurate with (reasonable) cost and sustainability. The industry should not become or be monopolised by governments, parastatals or even large private entities. Renewable energy policy, ideally, should ultimately empower individuals to become self-sufficient in providing for their own energy needs... (more)
In this issue...
- Opening speech by AMEU president
- Welcoming address
- ACTOM companies partner with local municipalities
- Asset management
- Engineering contribution policy
- Reinventing old grids
- Compact substation solutions
The evolution of pre-paid metering -
-Power quality portal
- Bushing failures in medium voltage switchgear...
- Distribution Grid Code phase 2
-Providing energy infrastructure in a big city
- Skills development and staff retention
- Telemanagement of public streetlighting
- Non-technical losses
- National Code of Practice: emergency load reduction
-Voltage power optimisation
- Role of human risk-taking behaviour
- The RED business model
- A fatality involving a subcontractor
- Safety... can it be regulated?...
- Safety operations on MV switchgear
- Incident arising from an illegal electricity connection
- Stadium electricity supplies
- Lessons for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
- Renewable energy in South Africa
-Promoting the acceptance of renewable energy
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