SA faces three possible scenarios at present. The first (and best) outlook is called "Stay in the premier league". The second (and less favourable) scenario is called "Gentle slide down to the second league". The third scenario is called (ominously) "Failed state"... (more)
Vector editor Peter Adams wins Lifetime Achievement Award
Peter Adams, editor of Vector magazine, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Eskom CEO Brian Dames and Eskom director Daniel Dube at the 21st annual Eskom eta Awards ceremony held on 4 November 2010... (more)
ESETA - business performance improvement capacity building programme
Information from ESETA
At the Eden District Education Summit on 14 August 2010, various SETA's made pledges on skills development and training. The Energy SETA has designed a business performance improvement programme that was rolled out in the Eden District... (more)
How (NOT) to execute home wiring
by H A Miller
So you feel it's time your electric wiring was renewed, and you have decided not to pay through the nose for work any silly wuss could do blindfold? Right. Here are a few hints which will save money and establish you as a genius in the eyes of your wife... (more)
ERIC gets off the ground
by Peter Adams, Vector editor
ERIC, originally an acronym for Electricity Registration and Inspection Council, elicited objections from the DoL and NRCS because the name gave the (wrong) impression that it was a statutory council with statutory powers... (more)
2010 Eskom eta Awards announced
Information from Eskom
Eskom and the Department of Energy announced the winners of the 21st annual eta Awards at a gala banquet and awards ceremony at Kayalami on 4 November 2010. The purpose of the eta Awards is to reward exceptional effort in the efficient use of energy... (more)
Electronics sector board appointed despite some dissent
by Hans van de Groenendaal, EE Publishers
After a long and sometimes heated debate, the chairman of the meeting closed the discussion and proceeded with the agenda. The NAMEC representatives did not accept the position, declined to vote, and walked out of the meeting.... (more)
White light - transforming the urban nightscape by Henk Rotman, Philips
Outdoor lighting solutions no longer have to rely only on yellow light. There is an alternative which is more successful in combining the qualities of daylight with the energy efficiency associated with high-pressure sodium. This alternative is high quality white light... (more)
LECs for flat panel colour displays
by Mark Botha, EE Publishers
An international team of electrical engineers has found that polymer light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) may provide low-cost colour displays that do not drain computers' batteries... (more)
Lighting up King Shaka International Airport Information from Beka
Since environmental considerations and design and performance capabilities of the 78 - Projectolux 2 kW floodlights were critical on this project, this floodlight was chosen to minimise the effect of light pollution... (more)
Enhancing energy efficiency in refrigeration
by Craig Berman, Ecube
The Ecube is a temperature mimicking sensor designed for energy reduction in commercial and industrial refrigeration systems. The core of the Ecube simulates the core thermal properties of fresh produce, meat, dairy, fruit, vegetables etc... (more)
Thin films to boost fuel cells
by Mark Botha, features editor
This exciting new research suggests that the rate of oxygen reduction (oxygen atoms combining with hydrogen) can be increased by up to a hundredfold by using thin films of certain perovskite compounds... (more)
Operating process plants by brain control?
by Dr. Hennie Barnard, EU Taltronics
Headsets which read neural activity are nothing new, but a recent innovation makes it possible for their use in operating industrial plants. The headset implements a technology known as non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG) to read neural activity... (more)
Wireless networking on the factory floor
by Prashanth Gokaran, OptoAfrica
In a modern process plant all the elements communicate electronically, usually sending signals by means of cables. But sometimes the cables can be a problem, and wireless is better. In that case, which wireless system - WiFi or Bluetooth?... (more)
Technical education using modern logic control Information from Siemens
Twenty logic control units have been donated to Pretoria Tuine Technical High School. The units are ideally suited to an educational setting, being essentially a step between conventional electronic components and programmable logic controllers (PLCs)... (more)
Solar water heating and inclining block tariffs
Information from Eskom
Households that invest in solar water heating can not only take advantage of the subsidy of up to 40% which Eskom is offering on such equipment, but can also further reduce their exposure to higher energy costs through the preferential rate being offered... (more)
An holistic approach to buildings
Information from Siemens
Buildings are responsible for 40% of primary energy consumption world-wide and around 21% of greenhouse gas emissions. But the potential for savings is also considerable... (more)
