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The drivers are in place - but where's the crew?
by Mike Rycroft, Editor
The wheels of the electrical power industry are starting to turn, albeit slowly and with much creaking and squealing. The DoE has finally taken steps to get the RE program off the ground, and is proceeding with the resurrection of ADAM. Lastly the Treasury has announced a program of tax benefits for companies who implement energy efficiency programs... ( more) |
Invitation to debate: The proposed carbon tax for SA, and its impact on the economy
On 13 December 2010, the Treasury issued a carbon tax discussion paper for public comment: " Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: the carbon tax option" ( click here to download). You are cordially invited to attend an open panel discussion and debate on 3 November 2011 at Bytes Conference Centre, Midrand... ( more) |
Eskom successfully manages winter supply challenges Information from Eskom
Eskom kept South Africa's lights on during the peak winter demand period, thanks to the lower than expected electricity demand and to the initiatives Eskom had put in place to manage a tight system, the Chief Executive, Brian Dames, said at a recent "state of the system" update... ( more) |
Imitation CBI MCBs and earth leakage devices Information from CBi
Counterfeit CBI products are available for purchase and distribution. The company regards this matter as extremely serious in terms of trade mark and patent infringements, notwithstanding the compromise in safety in terms of electrical protection... ( more) |
$365-million renewable energy loan agreement Information from Eskom
Eskom and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have signed two loan agreements for a total value of $365-million that will enable the first large-scale implementation of renewable wind and solar generation in Eskom's history... ( more) |
New training centre for Vaal University of Technology Information from Schneider
Schneider Electric South Africa has teamed up with the French Ministry of Education and the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) to launch a centre aimed at training electricians, electrical technicians, and electrical engineers... ( more) |
The Jacob Marley column: Waiting for the inevitable
I was recently reminded of the state of the electricity industry when I tried to read the well-known absurdist play written by Samuel Beckett. It goes something like this: Once upon a time, a customer called Puton and a supplier called Eish were waiting for the Inevitable... ( more) |
Eskom electricity price path is not sustainable, say biggest users
The Energy Intensive Users' Group (EIUG) has raised concerns that the price path for electricity in South Africa may place consumers and business under even greater pressure in the next few years, since the first round of tariff hikes in 2010... ( more) |
The case against a carbon tax for South Africa by Prof. Philip Lloyd, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Not only is the suggested carbon tax ineffective and destructive to our development, it is even excessive when measured against independent estimates of the external costs. On every ground, therefore, there is no case for a carbon tax as presently proposed.... (more) |
Measurement in cogeneration and captive power boilers Information from Yokogawa
The true cost of generating steam varies, depending on how effectively the generation set is optimised and the efficiency of transporting the steam throughout the operation... (more) |
Standards for MV switchgear rated for arc flash protection by Bryan Johnson, ABB
To achieve some degree of safety, users and manufacturers have considered measures that do not change the characteristics of the switchgear, and the switchgear/switch room should still be considered a high risk area... ( more) |
Cable fault location: It's your fault to find Information from Megger
Fault location is a field of engineering beset with problems and uncertainties. But following a logical approach will enable you to find cable faults in power cable networks quickly, accurately and safely. It's your fault to find and it's your fault if you don't find it!... (more) |
Cyber weapons against the power industry by Vladimir Gurevich, Israel Electric Corporation
Recently there have been a lot of articles on the new reality of cyberwars in cyberspace. Complex systems are exposed to virus attacks, including power systems. In 2009 the US government admitted the detection of a virus capable of disabling power plants in the country... (more) |
Securing prepayment solutions from the potential threat of ghost vending Information from Itron
Nearly twenty years after its inception, the standard transfer specification (STS) protocol has grown to its current status as the de-facto solution for one-way pre-payment. The protocol has been stable for more than 15 years and has become recognised as the only globally accepted standard for pre-payment... (more) |
Different types of UPS
Information from PowerMan
Since the load shedding that South Africa experienced in 2009 computer users have become more aware of the need for backup solutions. This applies now to home users as well as business users, but there is still no real understanding of backup solutions... ( more) |
Retrofitting of buildings to lower energy consumption
by Takalani Bridget Thovhakale, Tracey Morton McKay and June Meeuwis, University of Johannesburg
This study compares electricity consumption in two buildings of similar architectural design and floor space. One was retrofitted at a cost of R4,3-million. Metered and billed energy consumption for the retrofitted building exceeded that of the older building... ( more) |
Adding intelligence to power management solutions
by Robert Brandt, Drive Control Corporation
Power remains notoriously unstable, with spikes, surges and dips in voltage that can cause damage to expensive equipment as well as frequent power failures that can cause loss or corruption of data... ( more) |
Wind power development in India by Naresh Panchal, N S M Rao, Suzlon Energy
India has been making rapid strides in the addition of wind power supported governmental policies and regulations by the central and state regulatory commissions. Although it is widely recognised that wind energy is the cleanest form of energy, there are perceptions which often put hurdles in the path of quick addition of wind power into the power system... ( more) |
Women in solar - it's about sharing the sunshine Information from SESSA
To celebrate the end of women's month and mark the importance of finding sustainable energy alternatives, we asked four women who make their living in the solar industry to tell us a little about their experiences... (more) |
Going with the sun Information from Siemens
High-tech solar tracking units track PV systems to the movement of the sun and are therefore able to increase the yield of PVsolar energy by more than 35%. PV systems are at their most efficient when the sun shines vertically onto the collector surfaces... (more)
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