E-Newsletter for the Power & Energy Sectors of Southern Africa
Issue 100, July 2016
Why is the public so concerned about new nuclear power stations in SA?
by Roger Lilley, EE Publishers
Speaking at Eskom's integrated results presentation to the media recently, Brian Molefe, the power utility's chief executive officer, said that he was surprised and... (more)
Massive cost and time overruns at Eskom's Medupi and Kusile power stations
by Chris Yelland, EE Publishers
Besides the financial results themselves for Eskom's financial year ending 31 March 2016, perhaps the most important new information to come out at the media briefing... (more)
Own-generation changes the business model for municipalities
by Vally Padayachee, Strategic Advisor to the AMEU
In order to execute on their mandate of procuring and selling electricity in a cost effective and safe manner, municipalities need to remain viable by protecting their... (more)
Mike's musings: When is a good time to retire?
by Mike Rycroft, EE Publishers
What sparked this month's musing is an announcement that Eskom's board has approved a new fleet renewal strategy based on economic viability instead of a purely... (more)
The roles of private sector IPPs and Eskom in renewable energy in SA
An interview by Chris Yelland, investigative editor, EE Publishers
EE Publishers initially proposed an interview with Eskom, who failed to provide answers to the questions. The questions were then put the South African Renewable Energy Council (SAREC) instead, who answered as follows... (more)
Understanding the cost of electricity from Medupi, Kusile and IPPs
by Chris Yelland, investigative editor, EE Publishers
To understand and compare the cost of electricity from a power plant, one needs to look further than simply the capital, fuel or operating and maintenance costs in isolation, to a concept known as the "levelised cost of electricity" over the lifetime of the plant... (more)
Solar PV association slams Eskom, points to energy policy failings in SA
by Moeketsi Thobela, CEO of SAPVIA
SAPVIA calls for the immediate release of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) update for public review. The delay of the release of this critical analysis is creating a huge policy vacuum that is trying to be filled by a number of narrow agendas... (more)
IPP industry association statement on recent decision by Eskom
by Sisa Njikelana, South African Independent Power Producers Associationn (SAIPPA)
SAIPPA says policy, legislation, regulation and planning are lagging behind developments in the power market - a warning that has been steadfastly growing from the IPP circles. The impact of such an ever-growing risky situation is a matter of concern... (more)
Captive power: an energy solution for the mining sector?
by Makhotso Lengane, Alessandra Pardini, Kate Collier, Garyn Rapson and Rita Spalding, Webber Wentzel
The mining industry is under increasing pressure to consider alternative means of power supply. The industry is faced with the effects of a growing energy deficiency as evidenced by the recent approval, by NERSA, of an Eskom tariff hike... (more)
Solar park concept resurfaces in ministerial determination
by Mike Rycroft, features editor, EE Publishers
The concept of a large solar park, accommodating a substantial solar energy generating capacity was first mooted in 2009, when a proposal to construct a 5 GW solar park in the Upington area was made by the minister of energy. The project has been... (more)
Rogowski coils in smart transformer monitoring
Information from Denver Technical
Intelligent electricity network (smart grid) applications such as power generators, home energy management (HEM), battery monitoring systems (BMS), MV/LV substations, sub-metering, electrical vehicle stations, and solar power plants integrate more... (more)
The need for feasibility studies in small hydroelectric plant design
by Jay Anders, Black & Veatch
Africa continues to deploy small hydroelectric power facilities throughout the region to ensure reliable, affordable clean energy and utilise available water sources. Continued deployment will largely be dependent on bankable projects that begin at the... (more)
Photovoltaic power for Alcatraz
Information from Princeton Power Systems
A commercial-scale micro-grid system was designed and built on Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, US, as a solution to high diesel fuel costs, pollution in the San Francisco bay area, and high carbon emissions. When a ship's anchor ruptured the... (more)
Integrated and scalable Ethernet redundancy in substations
by Eleanor Huang, Moxa
An optimised IEC 61850 PRP/HSR architecture should provide scalable integration for easy modification of functionalities and extension of the substation. Upgrading single attached nodes (SANs) and dual attached nodes (DANs) to a PRP/HSR... (more)
Interpreting sweep frequency response analysis measurements
by Florian Predl, Omicron
Power transformers are critical components in an electrical power network. Testing, diagnostics and reliable condition assessment of power transformers becomes increasingly relevant due to the ageing of transformer fleets around the world... (more)
Breaker coordination: what you really need to know
Information from ABB
Selective coordination is an electrical system design practice that improves reliability. Breaker coordination methodology increases uptime by limiting power outages to the branch of an electrical system where a problem occurs without knocking... (more)
Transformer testing facility using static converters
by RH Goodwin, HV Test
In 2008 Rotek Engineering, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eskom Enterprises, embarked on a R100-million major expansion programme by upgrading its transformer testing facilities. The company's requirements were to be able to test... (more)
Rail system gives a new slant to gravity energy storage
by Mike Rycroft, features editor, EE Publishers
Advanced rail energy storage (ARES) are developing a gravity based energy storage system which uses above-ground plant consisting of railway lines and loaded shuttle rail trucks. The system is claimed to be able to provide both active and reactive power in... (more)
Developments for improved internal combustion gas engines
by Mike Rycroft, features editor, EE Publishers
Reciprocating internal combustion engine-based generators are among the most mature distributed generation technologies available, accounting for a high percentage distributed generation installations. With the promise of cheaper and... (more)
Preventing PID in transformerless PV inverter installations
Information from Omron
Reduced power output in PV modules due to Potential Induced Degradation (PID) is something whose importance has resurfaced in recent years due to the introduction of increased module sensitivity and higher system voltages. The phenomenon reduces... (more)
Data transparency optimises energy management
Information from Beckhoff Automation
The drying and processing of wood requires a lot of energy. Holzwerke Weinzierl, a timber processing company in Germany nevertheless manages to generate more power than it consumes. The basis for this achievement is a modern... (more)
Replacement of the stator in a hydroelectric plant turbine
Information from Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence
This article explains how laser scanning measurements were used in a precision-critical operation replacement of the stator in a hydroelectric plant turbine. The use of laser scanning enabled a new replacement procedure which also has economic... (more)
Power developments in Africa
Compiled by Aimee Clarke, EE Publishers
Uganda oil and gas industry gets boost
Mauritius exploring wave energy
Hydropower plant in Zimbabwe halfway complete
Kenya received funding for new wind farm
Increased output from Botswana power plant
Electrification for Windhoek's informal settlements
