Features | Generators and Standby Power

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Generators and Standby Power

Standby gensets not viable option while loadshedding persists

By: Tracy Hancock 12th April 2024 Selecting a generator set with a standby power rating might have been sufficient ten to 15 years ago but is no longer a viable option to cope with the current severity of local power disruptions owing to South Africa’s energy crisis, says generator manufacturer WEG Africa senior gensets manager... →

Hybrid systems posited for power redundancy

By: Trent Roebeck 12th April 2024 For businesses and industry to flourish and remain sustainable, generator manufacturer Maverick Generators says it is important to consider deploying a hybrid, or mixed, energy system to ensure that operations are not brought to a halt, as a result of power interruptions and loadshedding. To... →

An image of the 1 100 kVA Perkins-powered synchronised unit

PERKINS-POWERED PERFORMANCE The 1 100 kVA Perkins-powered synchronised unit

Hybrid systems incorporating diesel gensets can enhance power generation

By: Trent Roebeck 12th April 2024 With the ongoing energy crisis in South Africa, and the lack of generation capacity from State-owned power utility Eskom, diesel generator manufacturer Mahindra Powerol SA provides a range of generator solutions with the ability to be connected to solar power and inverter systems for the purpose... →

COMPOUNDED POWER Mahindra Powerol gensets efficient for a wide range of business and industry players

Cummins Power, an integral element of the power mix

12th April 2024 Cummins Generators serve as robust standalone power solutions and play an essential role in microgrid systems. A microgrid constitutes a local energy system capable of generating, potentially storing, and distributing energy to facilities within its network. Cummins’ solutions seamlessly... →

WEG

12th April 2024 Founded in 1961, WEG has grown into a global solutions provider of industrial electrical technologies. WEG is one of the largest electric motor manufacturers in the world producing more than 21-million units annually. WEG has a longstanding 40-year presence in the African region with its... →

Hybrid solution offered to big energy consumers

By: Trent Roebeck 12th April 2024 Project finance and transaction advisory firm Cresco has recently supported South African mobile telecommunications corporation MTN in acquiring a hybrid energy system solution that incorporates diverse energy generation and storage sources, including gas, solar photovoltaic power, diesel... →

An image of Cresco director Robert Futter

ROBERT FUTTER Cresco director Robert Futter believes that a hybrid energy system is the future of energy in South Africa

Hybrid solutions gain traction amid energy challenges

By: Nadine Ramdass 8th December 2023 As loadshedding continues to impact businesses, many corporates are opting for hybrid solutions that leverage grid, generator, and renewable energy, mainly solar, to alleviate the pressure of unreliable power supply. In addition to providing a more consistent energy supply, hybrid solutions can... →

Flawless Engineering

8th December 2023 Commercial engineering solutions company Flawless Engineering strives to bring customers’ ideas to life. Its primary focus is the fabrication and preparation of containerised and ISO panel battery energy storage solutions (BESS). →

Startup elevates local production, aims for rapid growth

By: Nadine Ramdass 8th December 2023 To promote renewable energy and local manufacturing, lithium battery manufacturing startup IG3N produces battery storage systems to address the intermittent nature of renewable energy while providing an alternative to imported batteries and its associated challenges. A drawback of solar... →

Microgrids gain traction to combat critical outage impacts

By: Nadine Ramdass 8th December 2023 Microgrids are gaining traction globally owing to its ability to alleviate the impact of critical outages, caused by extreme weather, climate events, and various other reasons. Microgrids can secure and provide power for 'critical loads' such as hospitals and data centres when the main grid is... →

An image of Cresco Group’s decarbonisation advisor Dominic Goncalves

DOMINIC GONCALVES Integrating microgrids offers significant benefits in South Africa

LNG has multiple benefits as a transition fuel – CEO

By: Leah Shelene Asaram 14th April 2023 Liquified natural gas (LNG) used in a generator enables individuals and enterprises to not only save costs but also reduce their carbon-emission contributions. Helium and natural gas producer Renergen CEO Stefano Marani says natural gas produces an inordinately smaller carbon footprint than that... →

UPS systems necessary for businesses – company

14th April 2023 Downtime can be costly for any business, especially for growing ones that need to be operational around the clock. Power management company Eaton’s uninterruptable power supply (UPS) systems are renowned for reliability, with a proven track record of providing UPS to critical systems. With Eaton... →

Consortium signs agreements for S Africa solar projects

14th April 2023 Leading renewable energy company Mainstream and its consortium Ikamva will be advancing six solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in South Africa – with a combined capacity of 450 MW. This has been secured in Round 5 of South Africa's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme... →

Noncompliant installations surge amid energy crisis

By: Tracy Hancock 9th December 2022 The rush to install standby power supply in South Africa amid the country’s energy crisis has led to an influx of service providers, which are misinforming the public on the legal requirements that electrical installations need to comply with, says trade association Electrical Contractors’... →

UNITING AN INDUSTRY The Electrical Contractors’ Association South Africa is working with multiple associations to formalise and standardise training and requirements for electrical contractors in an effort to realise a united industry

Connection delays increasing demand for standby power

By: Tracy Hancock 15th April 2022 As South Africa’s energy needs rebound on the back of improved economic activity, it is evident that standby power will be needed for the foreseeable future, as the connection of enough embedded generation and renewable-energy projects to the national grid is taking place too slowly. The grid can... →

JANINE ESPIN The grid cannot cope with additional power supply and, thus, with the last bidding round issued by the Independent Power Producers Office, certain projects were not allowed to proceed

Italian Club chooses Bedfordview specialist to keep lights on

By: Tracy Hancock 15th April 2022 The Italian Club Johannesburg, in Bedfordview, has invested about R1-million in the installation of a fully automated 275 kVA generator from privately-owned generator specialist Elegen to power its facilities during electricity outages and load-shedding. The club researched several companies... →

An image of the Elegen generator at the Italian Club Johannesburg

Photo by Donna Slater
SUITABLE SOLUTION The Italian Club Johannesburg was advised by several suppliers that a generator would suit its needs best

QES mobile generators ordered locally

By: Tracy Hancock 15th April 2022 Air, power and flow solutions provider Atlas Copco Power Technique has received orders this year for its QES mobile, plug-and-play generators from local companies, mostly for standby power purposes or for use at manufacturing plants, says Power Technique business development manager Philip du... →

PRIME PRODUCT Power Technique is focused on supplying QES generators to mining, utilities and construction sectors, which require prime power

Many manufacturers still without backup power

By: Tracy Hancock 15th April 2022 Many local manufacturers still do not have backup power installed, while others lack adequate power solutions to effectively limit the production losses incurred during power outages or load-shedding, says power rental expert Rand-Air, part of the Atlas Copco group. “A lot of companies do not... →

FUEL FOR THOUGHT Buyers are “digging deeper” into the specifications of generators and their fuel consumption

Generators still reliable, affordable option

By: Tracy Hancock 15th April 2022 Generators will always be an option as long as standby power is needed in South Africa, says generator importer and distributor Smith Power Equipment national product and sales specialist Michele Cicognani. While companies are becoming more aware of alternative standby power options, owing to the... →

SIZE MATTERS Incorrect sizing is the most common mistake made by companies when buying a generator

Genset failure can be dangerous

3rd December 2021 Generator set (genset) failure owing to a lack of proper maintenance poses a significant business risk, says fire safety company ASP Fire CEO Michael van Niekerk. Backup power supply systems such as gensets are critical to reduce overall electricity demand during load-shedding. However, it is... →

A photo of three gensets side by side in a room.

MULTIPLIED Hospitals will often have back-up gensets all in the same room, increasing the potential risk

Data protection critical during power cuts

By: Darren Parker 3rd December 2021 Although downtime and damage to electrical equipment are common concerns for businesses during load-shedding, many business owners do not sufficiently consider the protection of their data, information technology (IT) company Silver Moon IT manager Raeford Liebenberg tells Engineering News. When... →

A photo of Silver Moon IT manager Raeford Liebenberg

RAEFORD LIEBENBERG A backup strategy for your backup is more important than making sure your equipment stays on during load-shedding

More growth expected for diesel generators

By: Darren Parker 3rd December 2021 South Africa’s diesel generator market is expected to grow at a compound yearly growth rate of more than 2% from 2020 to 2025, according to a report released this year by research organisation Mordor Intelligence. Factors such as an increase in throughput of peaking plants and demand for... →

Photo by Adobe
DIESEL GENERATOR Diesel generators in South Africa are not generally used as a primary source of energy, but rather as a backup during power cuts or blackouts from the utility grid.

Business as usual despite genset demand spike

By: Darren Parker 3rd December 2021 Generator set (genset) manufacturer Atlas Copco Power Technique business development manager Philip du Plessis says the business is always prepared to try to close any sale that comes its way, regardless of factors influencing the market. “While we do see an increase in inquiries under these... →

A photo of an Atlas Copco QES genset being lowered by crane and guided by a worker in PPE

BACK-UP POWER These larger generators are supplied to larger enterprises because of the ongoing instability in the power grid

Hybrid renewable energy power system

3rd December 2021 South Africa based Lindon Corporation has diversified into the power systems market with integrated renewable energy power containers in collaboration with leading Scottish system designer Motive Group. The systems are designed and built to suit customer needs, the working environment, load... →

Maintenance knowledge key in generator functionality

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 9th April 2021 Customers should be made aware about the care and maintenance required to keep a generator in good working order, and the type of generator most suited to their needs, says construction equipment hire and sales company Hire It director Richard Fraser. He explains that the maintenance... →

RICHARD FRASER It is advisable to run generators at least twice a month for half an hour to keep them in a good working condition

Second generation UPS launched

9th April 2021 Power management company Eaton has launched the second generation of its market-leading Eaton 93PM G2 three-phase uninterruptible power supply (UPS) in South Africa. The modular and scalable design of the 93PM G2 enables data centre operators to grow capacity and power protection in line with... →

New gensets developed

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 9th April 2021 Vertical manufacturer HIMOINSA developed a gas-powered generator set with maintenance periods that stretch for up to 10 000 hours, or 14 months of continuous work, highlights HIMOINSA Southern Africa senior sales engineer Warrick Taylor. The generator's estimated service life of 30 000 hours... →

NEW GENSET The new HGY-25, available in 50 Hz and 60 Hz, is powered by natural gas, delivering 28 kVA of continuous operation power

New PEM generators launched

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 9th April 2021 Renewable-energy and hydrogen supply company Nel Hydrogen launched the MC250 and MC500 containerised large-scale proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers. The PEM electrolysers represent automated megawatt-class on-site hydrogen generators, using a modular containerised design for ease of... →

PEM ELECTROLYSER The new generators are integrating the 1.25 MW PEM cell stack

New tech enables generators to synchronise interoperably

By: Zandile Mavuso 9th April 2021 As technology is improving, newer controllers have been introduced to the market. This has seen portable air compressors and generator rental company Rand-Air generators having been fitted with the QC4003 controller developed by generator manufacturer Atlas Copco. →

TWINPOWER GENERATOR The TwinPower 1 000 kVA generator is a containerised 2 x 500 kVA generator unit

Genset range equipped with built-in automatic transfer switch panel

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 4th December 2020 In response to market requirements for a stationary quality genset (generator set), power solutions provider HIMOINSA launched the new HS stationary genset range in October. HIMOINSA Southern Africa business development director Matthew Bell explains that the design of the range resulted in the... →

NOTHING BUT QUALITY The range was designed to produce a competitively priced, versatile and modular genset that is fast and easy to install

Generators still in high demand

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 4th December 2020 With unreliable electricity and peaking electricity prices still posing major challenges in South Africa, generators continue to be in demand, says power generation provider Aggreko area GM Riaan du Toit. “Sectors such as mining, food and beverage and manufacturing already depend on good... →

KEY FACTORS Although cost and environmental factors do play key roles in the decision-making process, reliability and power supply consistency will always be central

Bigger not always better with gensets – OEM

By: Marleny Arnoldi 4th December 2020 Bigger is not always better when considering generators (gensets) and standby power, and it is vital that site-specific power requirements and conditions are taken into account during the design phase of these power supply products, says local manufacturer Zest WEG. →

GENERATION OPTIMISATION In addition to cost savings, optimal design for the intended purpose also helps avoid delays in standby power kicking in during power failures for critical operations

Cummins – A global power leader during times of crisis

8th May 2020 Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service diesel and natural gas engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power... →

Cleaner power demand boosts gas genset sales

17th April 2020 Stringent environmental regulations, declining gas prices and increasing demand for flexible transmission of renewable power have sparked a growing interest in gas-powered generator sets (gensets) in Europe, says market research company Frost & Sullivan. The firm reported in February, in... →

SWITCHED ON According to Frost & Sullivan a growing interest in gas-powered generator sets has been experienced in Europe

Power supplier targets datacentres

17th April 2020 In realising that providing uninterrupted electrical energy is the backbone of a datacentre’s infrastructure, global generator manufacturer Aksa Power Generation launched its power range targeted at the requirements of a datacentre earlier this year. The company suggests that companies need... →

DATACENTRIC Maintaining power is core to the successful running of data centres according to Aksa Power Generation

Cleaner LPG and natural gas generators making inroads in local market

By: Halima Frost 17th April 2020 Gas-to-power solutions provider Sustainable Power Generation (SustainPower) says the adoption of its cleaner, environment-friendly liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas generators that are available to homes and businesses in South Africa has been quite successful – to the extent that the... →

WHAT A GAS A new liquefied petroleum gas-powered generator is now available for South African businesses and homes

Company to introduce standby power system in South Africa

By: Halima Frost 17th April 2020 Subsequent to the successful launch of power management solutions provider Eaton Electric’s xStorage Home system in Europe, the company plans to formally introduce the system to the local market at this year’s Power & Electricity World Africa Expo 2020 (PEWA) in August. Although Eaton Electric... →

BATTER UP The battery on the xStorage system allows for power to be stored and harnessed for use when needed

Generator company awarded second energy contract

By: Halima Frost 17th April 2020 Power solutions provider HIMOINSA Southern Africa was awarded a substantial power supply contract for an international pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, based in South Africa, which will be the second project of its kind in the pharmaceutical sector for the company this year. Awarded in... →

ENERGY SUPPLEMENT Pharmaceutical firms can power their manufacturing plant using Himoinsa’s rental options

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