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How to be smart about smart...
by Rob Stephen
 Large investments in so-called smart devices has taken place in many utilities with varying degrees of success. The issue the utility faces is how to define and manage this deluge of technology and data in order to ensure benefits arise. The utility needs to be careful not to limit the definition of a smart grid to certain components such as smart meters... ( more) |
Integrated resource plan for electricity 2010-2030: Update report
by Mike Rycroft, Energize
 Industry observers have questioned the wisdom of following a policy of large centralised power plants, which have long construction times and have, in the past, resulted in oversupply. Particular focus has been placed on large nuclear which has an extremely long build time and requires financial commitment well before demand is realised... ( more) |
A new CEO of what? Eskom's leadership dilemma...
by Chris Yelland, EE Publishers
 On 5 Dec 2013, Eskom announced the resignation of Brian Dames, three years after the controversial axing of the previous CEO, Jacob Maroga, who also held the position for only three years. Whatever the reasons for their early departures, clearly both Dames and Maroga failed by leaving before their job was done. Whoever comes next, will have a massive task at hand.... (more) |
City introduces landfill gas to electricity projects
Information from The City of Johannesburg
 Mayor Parks Tau says Johannesburg has implemented two landfill gas-to-energy projects. At the Robinson Deep landfill site and the Marie Louise project, landfill gas is extracted, combusted and flared as carbon dioxide, to generate electricity. Soon, a total of 19 MW of electricity will be generated from five landfill sites... ( more) |
In conversation with Leon Viljoen, CEO of ABB
by Mike Rycroft, Energize
 I believe that business needs to get more involved in discussions with the government in determining the direction and future of this country. I sometimes get the feeling that business is quick to blame and point fingers, but doesn't get involved in enough discussion. Complaining the whole time gets us nowhere, and that for me is one of the items that's missing in South Africa... ( more) |
What brought about the Kriel crisis?
by Chris Herold, Umfula Wempilo Consulting
That old sinking feeling from 2008 returned with the threat of the shutting down of Kriel power station after 1 January. Just a few days earlier Eskom had to call on major industries to curtail their electricity consumption to keep the country's lights on - and this is the middle of summer!... ( more) |
The Jacob Marley column: All right on the night
Perhaps the question should be: does Eskom really need an expensive non-CEO? The place has been doing just fine in the last three years, has it not? Nothing to scare one to death about, is there?... (more) |
Energize Inbox: our winning letter
This month's letters respond to the article about small modular reactors, and disappointments regarding a solar farm ... (more) |
Electricity supply situation
Information from AMEU
The circumstances that resulted in Eskom declaring a system emergency on 20 November 2013 continue to cause the system to be severely constrained. Although the company says it has sufficient generating capacity, it often relies on its open cycle gas turbines to meet demand... (more) |
Restructuring of the Electricity Distribution Industry: a proposal
Information from AMEU
At a workshop last year, a SALGA spokesman said his organisation was not promoting restructuring of the electricity distribution industry. It was merely attempting to address widespread concern about the poor reliability of the distribution network... (more) |
Power generation options for South Africa
by Mike Rycroft, Energize
South Africa has a history of large power plants owned and run by a state-owned utility. This approach has proved to be costly and unresponsive to demand. Current thinking favours smaller distributed plants built more quickly and cheaper to meet demand... ( more) |
Energy efficiency tax incentives - some practical issues and concerns
by Gustav Radloff, Energy Cybernetics
Successful energy efficiency projects reduce energy costs. The return on investment for projects of this nature can be determined with a high degree of accuracy. More such projects help to ensure security of supply, reduce environmental emissions and improve business competitiveness in general... (more) |
Air quality regulations - playing the numbers game with power stations
by Mike Rycroft, Energize
Eskom plans to reduce its generating capacity to comply with the requirements of the minimum emission standards (MES) of the air quality act. This has caused concern about an already strained generation fleet... ( more) |
Protecting pole mounted MV transformers
by M du Preez and WJD van Schalkwyk, Eskom
Unplanned outages often occur as a result of transformers, drop-out fuses and surge arresters which fail during lightning storms. MV drop-out fuses with upstream feeder protection need to be properly graded to ensure correct protection... ( more) |
Substation upgrading and refurbishment project
by Rui Marques, Roshqott
Mogale City has awarded a R100-million project for the complete rehabilitation of 25 existing 33 kV and the construction of 13 new 33 kV feeders as well as grid reinforcement at the Condale main intake substation... (more) |
The influence of HVDC transmission on AC networks
Information from Cigré
The use of HVDC links between regions within an AC network is becoming increasing important because of the growing challenge of network development. More underground connections are considered inside AC networks to replace traditional overhead lines, operating in parallel with existing AC lines... (more) |
Biomass fired power plants for distributed power generation
by Rajaram Swaminathan, Polytechnic of Namibia
Rural areas of developing economies which are not served by the grid require alternate means of electric power generation. A system based on a Stirling engine could be an attractive option for distributed power generation in such conditions... (more)
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Success of biogas in Africa
by Els Luyten, Clarke Energy
Biogas has huge potential in Africa. Biogas can be generated from a variety of sources including waste, dedicated energy crops, human waste (sewage gas), distilleries, and landfill sites (landfill gas). When converted into electricity and heat with gas engines, it is a source of renewable, sustainable power... (more) |
Protecting relay protection systems
by Vladimir Gurevich, Israel Electric
Relay protection is designed to protect electrical equipment during emergency situations, but it appears that relay protection itself needs to be protected. How and from what must we protect the relay protection?... (more)
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