E-Newsletter for the Power & Energy Sectors of Southern Africa
Issue 94, Jan 2016
South Africa's economic development needs a balanced energy mix by Knox Msebenzi, Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa
The need for a balanced energy mix is critical when addressing the energy challenges facing the country. Not one electricity source alone is the answer to the country's current problems but all form part of a holistic solution... (more)
Climate ideology and climate science
by Andrew Kenny, PrEng, retired
Climate alarm has become a ruling ideology. It is like a return to a past age of superstition, somewhat similar to the witch mania of the 17th century where witches were blamed for extreme weather events that caused crop failures... (more)
The feasibility of waste to energy
by Dr. Urishanie Govender, GIBB
South Africa's power supply is taking strain and with the country's grid nearing peak demand, an intervention is needed. To this end, several alternatives are being explored but there is a growing need for more sustainable... (more)
How ISO standards can help act against climate change by Sandrine Tranchard, ISO
The COP 21 talks and negotiations are particularly vital to the future of climate change as they represent a critical opportunity for a global agreement to limit global warming to 2°C. Organisations, regulators, companies... (more)
Comparing South Africa's electricity market to that of other countries by Ruhan Theunissen, VKB Group
Cheap electricity has always been synonymous with South Africa but it feels as if it is not the case anymore. The question is whether we have fallen behind global trends or if our recent tariff hikes are still justifiable... (more)
A very tender process: Eskom's Koeberg contract ruled unlawful
by Aimee Clarke and Chris Yelland, EE Publishers
The spotlight of controversy continues to shine on an Eskom contract with Areva to replace six steam generators at its Koeberg nuclear power station, which was set aside and ruled as "unlawful" and "unfair" in a scathing judgement by the Supreme Court of Appeal... (more)
The Jacob Marley column: Let us welcome the return of load shedding
by Jacob Marley
Sir I believe that we should all welcome the return of load shedding, the sooner the better. I'm afraid that is not a misprint or a result of festive season hangover. I'm wishing for all our sakes that load shedding will return well before Mr. Molefe's magic... (more)
Hybrid nuclear plants
by Mike Rycroft, features editor, EE Publishers
The dream of a future generation of reactors which use the spent fuel of today's reactor fleet to power them has been around for many years. This dream may become a reality with proposed hybrid reactors under development... (more)
Thorium-based nuclear power a possible growth sector
by Shiwen Yap, Dealstreet Asia
With Asia expecting to see significant nuclear energy growth in the coming decades, thorium-based nuclear power could emerge as the answer for a reliable and safe energy solution for the region, given that increasing economic growth... (more)
Protective relay traveling wave fault location
by N Fischer, V Skendzic, R Moxley and J Needs, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
For decades, versions of the Takagi algorithm have been used by microprocessor-based relays for fault location. This system provides accurate fault location, limited by nonhomogeneous infeed, load flow, fault resistance, and series-compensated or parallel lines... (more)
Introducing economically viable smrt grids within municipalities
by Bruce Raw, Peter Atkins and Kevin Kotze, GreenCape
Smart grid infrastructure in municipalities can improve the efficiency of electricity provision and present new opportunities for economic growth and job creation. This potential business opportunity is currently hampered by barriers which limit... (more)
Smart grids and the new age of energy
Information from Siemens
Electrical energy is the backbone of our economy, and supports every aspect of social and cultural life today. The comfort of always having electricity available is anything but guaranteed, however. We face major challenges in providing adequate power generation... (more)
Strategic assessment for renewable enrgy in South Africa
by Lydia Cape and Cornelius van der Westhuizen, CSIR
The South African Government's strong commitment to the roll-out of renewable energy, in combination with the overriding success of the REI4P, raises questions as to how the growing spatial extent of renewable energy development in South Africa can be managed sustainably... (more)
Conduit hydropower: an untapped source of small hydropower
by Mike Rycroft, features editor, EE Publishers
With the increased focus on exploiting all potential sources of energy, small hydropower plant is becoming more important. Where most systems need small water sources, such as rivers and canals to operate, a readymade small hydro resource already exists in... (more)
