E-Newsletter for the Power & Energy Sectors of Southern Africa
Issue 98, May 2016
Can we expect loadshedding this winter?
by Roger Lilley, EE Publishers
I am frequently asked whether we can expect any loadshedding this winter. That is a difficult question to answer because interruptions in the electricity supply are not always caused by loadshedding... (more)
Join the first Energy Futures Dialogue
Hosted by the University of Johannesburg, WWF SA and EE Publishers
The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at University of Johannesburg, WWF South Africa and EE Publishers are hosting the first Energy Futures Dialogue at the UJ school of Tourism and Hospitality on Wednesday 12 October 2016.... (more)
The arguments for gas to power
by Sabine Dall'Omo, Siemens South Africa
Around the world energy markets have one thing in common: a need for sustainable energy sources and a growing focus on natural gas as a solution. South Africa is a case in point. The future of energy is now... (more)
Fast-tracking low carbon development in SA
by Harmke Immink, Promethium Carbon
It is not well known that many of the burdens of carbon offset schemes have been significantly reduced through innovations in recent years, designed to reduce the barriers in accessing carbon finance while... (more)
Mike's musings: Does technology drive behaviour?
by Mike Rycroft, features editor, EE Publishers
The technology in question is solar photovoltaic systems, specifically rooftop PV systems. The reason for the question is the rapid development and movement of the sector from one extreme to the other and a spiral towards... (more)
Global environmental change: a warning for South Africa
by Prof. Louis Kotze, North-West University
Like many other countries in the world, South Africa is not equipped to navigate the growing challenges of climate change and this is unlikely to change if the current trends persist. The country is currently ill-equipped... (more)
NECSA and Auditor General clash over decommissioning costs
by Chris Yelland, investigative editor, EE Publishers
A year after South African Nuclear Energy Corporation SOC Limited (NECSA) refused to sign off its 2014/15 annual report prepared by the Auditor General of South Africa for the financial year ending 31 March 2015, the same issue with... (more)
DoE in quandary as SunEdison seeks bankruptcy protection
by Pierre Potgieter and Chris Yelland, EE Publishers
After months of financial uncertainty, international solar giant SunEdison, and some of its international subsidiaries, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US on 21 April 2016. This uncertainty has seen... (more)
Solar PV tracking systems can increase output
by Mike Rycroft, features editor, EE Publishers
The position and elevation of the sun in the sky changes throughout the day and this affects the output of solar panels. Large scale solar PV installations use tracking of the suns elevation and/or azimuth as maximise output over the solar day... (more)
Safety in PV systems
by Lior Handelsman, SolarEdge Technologies
Photovoltaic systems offer a number of benefits, from financial savings to environmental advantages and energy independence. As these benefits are driving PV systems to be installed around the world, the industry has gained a better knowledge... (more)
Framework for wind turbine automation
Information from Beckhoff
The ever-accelerating development of increasingly larger wind turbines creates new challenges: more intelligent systems with additional sensors and actuators are used, further increasing the complexity of the systems... (more)
Mitigating the risk of transformer fires
by Barry Grib, Aurecon
Safety in the engineering environment is increasingly being improved through the use of innovative 3D design. The application of visual aids is contributing to the reduction of project construction and safety risks, while assisting engineers to comply with... (more)
Light measures current: fibre-optic sensors in high-voltage circuit breakers
Information from ABB
Current and voltage measurements are two key functions in the control and protection of electric power grids. Traditionally, they have been performed using so-called instrument transformers - somewhat bulky and heavy devices that can weigh up... (more)
Smart grid automation (SGA) software is a PC-based software suite that enables engineers to develop, test and debug advanced functionality for automatic circuit reclosers. SGA software significantly increases the flexibility of... (more)
Designing transformer intelligent condition monitoring systems
Information from Cigre
The world faces major challenges, both today and in the future, for the growth and improvement in reliability of its electrical power infrastructure. Electricity availability is critical in the development of any country. Hospitals, data centres... (more)
Energy storage and baseload generation
by Mike Rycroft, features editor, EE Publishers
Most recent developments of storage technology have been in the field of renewable energy, primarily used to smooth out production from variable sources of energy. Balancing of the residual variation output is still accomplished by ramping... (more)
Hydroelectric power station refurbishment
Information from Sulzer
After nearly 60 years of service the hydro generator at Lochay Power Station was scheduled for refurbishment. Using the combined skills of the local service centre in Falkirk and the coil shop in Birmingham, the company has improved... (more)
Nuclear power station upgrade
by Mike Rycroft, features editor, EE Publishers
The nuclear power station close to the town of Paks supplies approximately 25% of the electricity consumed in Hungary. The station is reaching the end of its design life of 30 years and life extension as well as expansion of capacity... (more)
Protecting power system electronics from electromagnetic pulses
by Vladimir Gurevich, Israel Electric
Protecting modern equipment used in power systems such as digital protective relays (DPRs), control devices and microprocessor-based communication equipment, against high altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) and other intentional electromagnetic... (more)
Repairing faulty steam traps can bring huge savings
Information from Fluke
Steam loss from faulty steam traps can cost tens of thousands of Euro a year, and the only way to avoid that loss is to test them several times a year. The traps are often high up, though, and need catwalks and ladders for access... (more)
