Alectrix Omicron

 

 
Energize e-News  incorporating  SA Power & Energy 
  
E-Newsletter for the Power and Energy Sectors of Southern Africa

Issue 49, October 2011

The drivers are in place - but where's the crew?     

by Mike Rycroft, Editor

 

Mike RycroftThe 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)
Power and Electricity World 2012
$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)

Institute and industry news

 

Power management giant sets sights on Africa

Action for Energy: one day workshop

SSI takes awards at CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards

Profitable today, competitive tomorrow

International award for energy efficiency performance

African power producers and utilities convene

Update on DoE's energy conservation scheme

Standards published for energy usage in buildings

Launch of Power-Gen Africa

New Africa Electricity show

SAEE awards for outstanding achievements

Views, comment and opinion
Company and product news

  

Celebrating 10 years of performance

Vibration meter with handheld probe

Flue gas oxygen probe

Launch of upgraded gas turbine

More than 100 apprentices start training

Control systems for power station water treatment plant

Air compressors and generators used in Sasol shutdown

Wind turbines for onshore projects in Brazil

Atlas Copco Portable Air becomes Portable Energy

Engineering services and consulting

Compressed air monitoring

Built on sound foundations

New moisture adsorbent a replacement for blue silica gel

Transformer breathers with self-regenerating capability

New energy metering system launched

Twangiza gold mine in DRC nears commisioning

Measuring winding resistance quickly and safely

Leading in reactive power compensation

Company appointed as ABB third party channel

Off to a flying start

Concrete poles specified for Boksburg housing project

Technology meets key standards for smart grid

Advanced line differential protection, automation and control system

Electric arc casualties can be avoided

Overcurrent indicator for overhead lines

80 years of battery manufacture

Non-inductive slab resistors

Enterprise framework agreement with Shell

High speed measurement for precision power analyser

Continuous electronic spark flare ignition

Thermal mass air flowmeter

Winder electricals upgraded

Reduced electricity consumption- a boardroom issue

Legislation sets energy management pace

Fundamentals of energy management

Data logger system

Protecting your electrical appliances

Real-time asset monitoring and data logging solutions

Appointment as sole local distributor

Low and medium voltage motor protection relays

Product offering to clients extended

Electronic motor protection relays

Abu Dhabi receives 19 000 TR of temporary cooling

Individually designed power modules

SESSA applauds DoE's bidding process clarity

New metal hydride clusters for hydrogen storage

PV solar grid connection training course

A CSP developers DNI dream

Call for clarification on local content target

Monitoring the yield of solar plants

Surge protection for PV systems

The preferred underground partner

Looking for an off-grid solar solution?

Solar power system on a soccer stadium rooftop

PV company constructs own solar park

carbon tax

 

IDC-Electrical substations

 

africa_electricity_hsb_aug11

In this issue...
- The drivers are in place - but where's the crew?
- Eskom successfully manages winter supply challenges
Imitation CBI MCBs and earth leakage devices
- $365-million renewable energy loan agreement
- New training centre
- The Jacob Marley column: Waiting for the inevitable
- Eskom electricity price path is not sustainable
- The case against a carbon tax
- Measurement in cogeneration
- Standards for MV switchgear rated for arc flash protection
- Cable fault location
- Cyber weapons against the power industry
- Securing prepayment solutions from ghost vending
- Different types of UPS
- Retrofitting of buildings to lower energy consumption
- Adding intelligence to power management solutions
- Wind power development in India
- Women in solar
- Going with the sun
- Institute and industry news
- Views, comment and opinion
- Company and product news
Get your free e-Zines!
 
(Flash flip-page edition)
energize e-Zine October 2011

 

 

Vector e-Zine

(Flash flip-page edition)

vector e-Zine October_2011
October 2011 issue

 

 

EngineerIT e-Zine

(Flash flip-page edition)
EngineerIT e-Zine October 2011
October 2011 issue

 

 

 PositionIT e-Zine

(Flash flip-page edition)
 
Published by

EE Publishers

P O Box 458
Muldersdrift
1747
South Africa

Tel: 0115437000
Fax: 0115437025
  

 
 
Copyright

 

� Copyright 2011 -

EE Publishers (Pty) Ltd.
All rights reserved.
  
Your eZine
View and receive the new, electronic, "flip-page", Flash format magazines, EngineerIT e-Zine, Energize e-Zine, Vector e-Zine and PositionIT e-Zine.

There is no cost to view and subscribe, and there is now no need to login with a username and/or password.
Experience this exciting new technology, and get all the benefits provided!