Features | Electrification and Distribution

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Electrification and Distribution

Company can cater to high retrofitting demand

By: Cameron Mackay 17th September 2021 Software solutions provider ABB Electrification has experienced high demand from the local market for energy-efficient systems related to integrating automation into electrical and mechanical systems, particularly in terms of retrofitting these products into older buildings. “These... →

Prosumers can change energy sector

18th September 2020 Modernising the current energy infrastructure in South Africa will dramatically change the energy utility business model, says diversified power management company Eaton electrical sector Africa MD Seydou Kane. “Modernising the current energy infrastructure, gives industrial and private energy... →

New feature strengthens client presentations

18th September 2020 Distributed generation and microgrid modelling software company Homer Energy, through development of standard-setting energy modelling software company UL, released a new Homer Pro feature that eases the creation of information-rich proposals. Through its new proposal writer, system designers can... →

COST-SAVING REPORTS Through its new proposal writer, system designers can produce professional reports that illustrate cost savings from distributed renewable energy projects

Solar company installs minigrids in Malawi

18th September 2020 Following Covid-19-related delays, solar energy company SustainSolar successfully commissioned its first Sustain Compact containerised solar generation unit in Mthembanji, Malawi, says SustainSolar managing director Tobias Hobbach. This solar generation unit was delivered as a minigrid under the... →

FIRST OF MANY This minigrid will be the community’s first experience of wired household electricity and has potential for significant socioeconomic impact in the village

Company provides quality power supply amid energy uncertainty

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 20th September 2019 Amid South Africa’s rising energy uncertainty, industrial power solution provider Master Power Technologies supplies backup power solutions that ensure not only uptime but also good quality power that will not compromise critical equipment. The company offers turnkey solutions that include... →

Company supports Africa in providing stable electricity supply

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 20th September 2019 Notwithstanding the expectation that South Africa’s electricity supply will stabilise in the next three to five years, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) power-generation equipment developer Himoinsa Southern Africa believes that it can guarantee engineering and mining sector companies a... →

Interest grows around self-supported masts

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 20th September 2019 Steel products and related services company Structa Group senior mechanical engineer Erasmus Cilliers says the option to use self-supported masts is becoming prevalent in deciding the type of structures to use in transmission and communication projects. This is especially prevalent when the... →

NO SUPPORT Self-supported masts are designed to support conductors without any external support such as a strut or stay wires

Compression glands suited to harsh environments

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 20th September 2019 The nonmetallic Pratley Tufflon compression gland is chemical-resistant and manufactured from tough engineering plastic, which makes it ideal for the distribution of electricity, says industrial products and adhesives manufacturer Pratley MD Eldon Kruger. Unlike ordinary polyvinyl chloride glands... →

Company eyes expansion into Africa

By: Evert Wasserman 21st September 2018 Owing to its ability to adhere to State-owned power utility Eskom’s stringent electrification infrastructure requirements, electrical solutions and engineering provider Gridbow has expanded its services into other African countries. “Contrary to popular belief, Eskom has very stringent rules with... →

WORKING PROUD IN NORTHERN CAPE Gridbow team on site constructing a 7 km 22 kV line in Noupoort

Electrical equipment range expanded

21st September 2018 Power distribution system supplier Magnet Group has expanded on its Carlo Gavazzi range by introducing multi-channel power analyser and automation products. These include WM50 multi-channel power analysers, which efficiently measure main electrical variables as well as voltage and current... →

MULTI-CHANNEL POWER ANALYSERS The Magnet Group specialises in the supply, implementation and support of electrical equipment

Eskom implements smart meters in Gauteng

21st September 2018 State-owned power utility Eskom is currently implementing an electricity network infrastructure programme in Gauteng that aims to improve the services rendered to customers through ensuring reliable supply and empowering them to control and manage their own consumption. The implementation process... →

Photo by Bloomberg
ESKOM’S INNOVATIVE SYSTEM The company is rolling out smart prepaid meters in Sandton and Midrand

Anticipated tariffs hike makes energy efficiency wise choice

22nd September 2017 A ruling by the Constitutional Court last month which allows State-owned power utility Eskom to retrospectively ask the National Energy Regulator of South Africa to permit Eskom to claw back additional tariffs from consumers, could lead to further hikes in the price of electricity for South... →

Photo by Duane Daws
SOLAR READY Before home owners install solar panels, they have to ensure that the buildings is suitable

Battery management systems reduce risk of unplanned interruptions

By: Victor Moolman 22nd September 2017 With unplanned interruptions being the greatest risk to distributing power at substations when reserve power fails to support the system, industrial battery management system (BMS) manufacturer Balancell uses precise BMS instrumentation, software and connectivity to continuously monitor battery... →

CELL BALANCING Balancing the charge of individual cells in a battery can prolong battery life

Digital switchgear launched in China

By: Victor Moolman 22nd September 2017 At an ABB customer event at the Hangzhou International Expo Center, in China, last month, ABB launched its MNS Digital switchgear, which enables electrification systems to become part of the Internet of Things (IoT). ABB product marketing director Avi Ramdhin explains that the MNS Digital is... →

Photo by Duane Daws
DIGITAL ALARM The switchgear can send alarm notifications to specific people via many channels

Solar-powered lantern brightens off-grid areas

22nd September 2017 Suited for off-grid households’ electrification, the Mobiya TS 170S portable solar LED lantern is being distributed by electrical solutions provider Magnet Group. The Mobiya solar LED lanterns have been designed by automation systems company Schneider Electric as an appropriate, safe and reliable... →

SHINING ROADS The lanterns can be used by rural communities that do not have access to electricity

System advantages start with modular abilities

22nd September 2017 Global electrical and digital building infrastructure specialist Legrand explains that the advantages of using modular systems is the integration between Legrand’s busbar trunking systems, cast resin transformers and XL³ cabinets. The modular systems include cast resin transformers, with low... →

EASY INTEGRATION Using Legrand systems allows for new technology to be easily integrated into older systems

Current Electric

By: Zandile Mavuso 5th May 2017 Established in February 1982 and acquired by electrical engineering group Actom Group in June 2008, current and transformers manufacturers Current Electric has been in the forefront of supplying ISO9001 accredited products globally. →

Uncertainty surrounding resource programmes highlighted

By: Sascha Solomons 16th September 2016 With South Africa needing to ramp up its potential power supply in the medium and long term, engineering and design firm WSP⎪Parsons Brinckerhoff Africa comments that the biggest challenge impeding ramp up of power generation from IPPs is the level of uncertainty regarding power procurement... →

JAY URBAN The major current developments in the electricity generation space include the initiation of the GTP, which aims to use LNG for the gas-turbine power plants

Eskom delivers on services despite arising challenges

By: Sascha Solomons 16th September 2016 Service delivery in South Africa is a very demanding undertaking, says the Western Cape provincial branch of State-owned utility Eskom; however, it has to be done regardless of the challenges. Eskom provincial spokesperson Jolene Henn adds that for this reason, the delivery of projects within the... →

STATE-OWNED UTILITY ESKOM
Electrification by Eskom in the Western Cape has been undertaken in urban areas within the metropolis, peri-urban areas , rural areas and deep rural areas towards the border of the Northern Cape

Photo by Duane Daws
STATE-OWNED UTILITY ESKOM Electrification by Eskom in the Western Cape has been undertaken in urban areas within the metropolis, peri-urban areas , rural areas and deep rural areas towards the border of the Northern Cape

Bank’s IPP projects producing over 40% of connected renewables

By: Dylan Stewart 11th December 2015 Renewable-energy independent power producer (IPP) projects financed by South African commercial banking firm Standard Bank are producing more than 40% of the 1 760 MW currently provided by the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). →

WIND POWER The 140 MW Cookhouse wind farm in the Eastern Cape is one of the projects to have been funded by Standard Bank

Natural gas will power South Africa’s future, says consulting firm

By: Dylan Stewart 11th December 2015 As South Africa grapples with its current and future energy challenges, global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company argues that gas energy, supplemented by renewable power, is a feasible baseload option for meeting the country’s 2025 energy needs. →

EXTENSIVE FUNDING Between R600-billion and R1-trillion worth of investment will be required by 2030 to develop gas-to-power facilities

Photo by Bloomberg
EXTENSIVE FUNDING Between R600-billion and R1-trillion worth of investment will be required by 2030 to develop gas-to-power facilities

Late project delivery part of Eskom’s monetary woes

By: Dylan Stewart 11th December 2015 The behind-time and above-budget construction of State-owned power utility Eskom’s Medupi and Kusile coal power stations, both with an output of 4 800 MW, is a significant contributor to Eskom’s monetary crisis, states KPMG South Africa chairperson Ahmed Jaffer. →

LEARNING EXPERIENCE The construction of Kusile (pictured) will have the benefit of lessons learnt at Medupi

Distribution enclosures comply with international standards

By: Kimberley Smuts 18th September 2015 International electrical and digital building infrastructure specialist Legrand last month announced that its range of XL³ modular power distribution enclosures comply with the new IEC 61439 standards, which replaced the previous IEC 60439 standards. The XL³ cabinets and enclosures are used for... →

XL3 POWER DISTRIBUTION ENCLOSURE The XL³ cabinets and enclosures are used for power distribution sites that have a capacity of between 160 A and 6 300 A

Local gas sector small but to emerge

By: Donna Slater 18th September 2015 The South African gas sector is currently small, compared with global standards, but there are several signs of the local sector emerging, says international executive search firm Odgers Berndtson. →

EMERGING GAS SECTOR For South Africa to switch to a gas-based economy, infrastructure is required to bring gas onshore

Quality-control testing at PV project due for 2016 completion

By: Bruce Montiea 18th September 2015 Renewable-energy consulting and engineering firm Enertis is conducting factory inspections and independent quality-control tests at the Mulilo Sonnedix Prieska photovoltaic (PV) project, in the Northern Cape. The company tells Engineering News that the testing started in May and will be... →

QUALITY PRODUCT It is beneficial for local manufacturers of PV modules to formally test their products, as this leads to improved quality

KwaZulu-Natal municipality develops energy master plan

18th September 2015 Specialist technical services provider Aurecon was tasked earlier this year by KwaZulu-Natal’s KwaDukuza municipality to develop an energy master plan for the municipality’s Electricity Priority Projects (EPP) programme, as well as electrical and civil design aspects of the programme, site... →

ENERGY MASTERPLAN DEVELOPED
The scope of Aurecon’s energy master plan includes the establishment of new supply points with Eskom

Photo by Duane Daws
ENERGY MASTERPLAN DEVELOPED The scope of Aurecon’s energy master plan includes the establishment of new supply points with Eskom

BE Lite Technologies

18th September 2015 BE Lite Technologies manufactures and distributes light-emitting diode (LED) lights and employs a dynamic engineer who is able to develop custom-designed lights. The company currently provides a number of products for the mining industry, but aims to become more involved in other industries. The... →

Funding key to increasing electricity distribution – DoE

7th February 2014 The Department of Energy (DoE) informed the Integrated Electrification Programme (Inep) committee, last year, that the current pace of the electrification programme would hamper its goal of reaching universal access to electricity in South Africa would not be reached, says DoE deputy... →

Power lines pose threat to SA vultures

By: Jonathan Rodin 7th February 2014 Cape vultures are adopting newly constructed power line pylons as roosting and breeding sites in areas where there are few natural perches. This is according to the study, ‘Do Power Lines and Protected Areas Present a Catch-22 Situation for Cape Vultures (Gyps coprotheres)?’, published on... →

KERRI WOLTER Vultures form an important ecological component of our natural environment, cleaning up dead carcasses and decreasing the spread of some diseases

New range offers reduced environmental impact

7th February 2014 Last month, electrical and digital building infrastructures specialist Legrand launched its range of products and systems for electrical installations and building infrastructures encompass environment-friendly cast resin transformers, designed for low environmental impact. →

Company’s focus on the environment evident

7th February 2014 Further, the company was recently distinguished as one of the top three most competitively positioned PV inverter companies by market analyser Greentech Media Research. Owing to its unique footprint in South Africa, Schneider Electric is able to comply with 45% of the local content requirements... →

Various skills needed to realise clean energy projects

By: Gia Costella 8th February 2013 Solutions and integration provider Jasco says electrification challenges await South Africa, especially with regard to the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP), as the current competence of local engineers and artisans is lacking, largely owing to the fact that this is a... →

Transmission projects play critical role in distribution of future generation capacity

By: Gia Costella 8th February 2013 Electrical component suppliers ARB Electrical Wholesalers, a member of JSE-listed ARB Holdings, is set to play a significant role in the distribution of power generated by State-owned power utility Eskom and independent power producers (IPPs), particularly those participating in the Renewable... →

Smart metering to change electricity distribution forever, says engineer

By: Gia Costella 8th February 2013 Smart metering (SM) systems will do for electricity distribution what cellphones have done for communication – they will significantly change the way we buy, sell and consume electricity, says engineering, management and technical services provider Aurecon electrical engineer Kobus van den Berg. →

Department aims to provide electricity for all South Africans by 2025

By: Gia Costella 8th February 2013 The Department of Energy (DoE) has introduced its Advanced Distribution Approach Methodology (Adam), a new model for electricity distribution in South Africa, which aims to supply power to all houses without electricity by 2025. →

New power distribution units introduced to Africa

8th February 2013 International network infrastructure provider Siemon has introduced a new range of intelligent power distribution units (PDUs) to Africa. →

Power utility accelerates plant upgrades

8th February 2008 State power utility Eskom is to accelerate the implementation of its capacity programmes and will invest R150-billion over the next five years in upgrading the country’s power supply infrastructure →

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