E-Newsletter for the Power & Energy Sectors of Southern Africa
Issue 90, Aug 2015
Which energy sources for SA? Nuclear, renewables, coal... by Karel Steyn, SAEE President
As an energy manager, an energy measurement and verification professional I have been involved in the energy field for more than 20 years. I am therefore very conscious of the need for energy efficiency, and to limit the... (more)
It's time that municipal distributors got smarter Information from QED Solutions
Loadshedding and spiraling electricity prices are now part of South Africans' daily lives. What can be done about it? If one were to take a long view, one could confidently say that our electricity problems boil down to one... (more)
The economics of cheap oil: four perspectives by Chris Meyer, EE Publishers
In the previous series of articles about the economics of fracking (Energize, August and September 2014), several challenges and implications of exploiting shale oil and gas deposits were outlined. Just one was... (more)
Air blown and oxygen blown gasification plant
by Koichi Sakamoto, Hiromi Ishii and Takashi Fujii, Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems
From the viewpoint of energy security and global warming issues, highly efficient coal utilisation systems, such as the integrated coal gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power systems and chemical synthesis processes using coal gasification, are regarded... (more)
Unconventional coal power generation using waste coal
by Mike Rycroft, features editor, EE Publishers
The coal power generation sector in South Africa is dominated by large conventional power stations. Power shortages and the move to distributed generation is making smaller unconventional coal power stations more attractive. In addition this opens the door to... (more)
California tinkers with residential energy tariffs
by Perry Sioshansi, EEnergy Informer
A Chinese proverb says a journey of 8000 km begins with a single step - which is highly appropriate for a proposed decision issued on 21 April 2015 by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) following months of hearings, testimony and reams of filing... (more)
GIS: facilitating transmission grid design
by Pierre Potgieter, EE Publishers
This article looks at the method behind South Africa's 2040 strategic electricity grid design plan, to show how long-term planning creates efficiencies that bring down energy costs for both energy users and producers, and how GIS is used to achieve this... (more)
Functional grounding of digital protective relays: a vital necessity?
by Dr. Vladimir Gurevich, Israel Electric
This article discusses the necessity for functional grounding of digital protective relays (DPR). In the article it is shown that due to the large physical size of the electric power facility and galvanic coupling between remote DPR units, functional grounding does not... (more)
This month, Energize's readers wrote in response to various articles about renewable energy pertaining to its providers, cost, and installation. They also wrote about the use of SF6 gas in switchgear... (more)
Gas-insulated transmission lines: the next generation of power transmission
by Mike Rycroft, features editor, EE Publishers
High voltage underground cables for power transmission have been in use for many years and number of different technologies have developed over the years. Solid insulation cables have limits when it comes to the voltage that can be carried safely, and oil... (more)
Renewable and hybrid energy systems for the mining industry
by Mike Rycroft, features editor, EE Publishers
Mining operations require reliable power on 24/7 basis, whether at remote locations or in developed areas. Load shedding and poor quality power/weak grids are leading to mines considering alternative sources of electric energy, even in developed areas... (more)
Case study: Roosevelt Dam hydro-power generator refurbishment
Information from Sulzer
The hydro power station located at the Roosevelt Dam has been producing electricity for over 100 years, so refurbishment of this iconic installation was always going to be essential in order to keep the plant working efficiently for the future... (more)
Energy efficiency in HVAC industrial applications
by Mike Rycroft, features editor, EE Publishers
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is a major energy consumption component in commercial buildings and energy efficiency measures are well developed. Industrial premises have special requirements which are more complex than... (more)
Power Developments in Africa
Compiled by Aimée Clarke, EE Publishers
€8-billion power deal for Egypt
Mozambique: gas finds to catalyse infrastructure
153 MW wind farm for Ethiopia
Tanzania lifts gas resources estimate
Hydro-electric power project in Mali
Zambia moves to ration power further
Cote d'Ivoire's first CCGT plant inaugurated
200 MW solar plant for Botswana
Concerns about Nigeria's nuclear projects... (more)
