ESI-AFRICA.COM - 2007

Chikwanda to head up Powertech IST

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:44:50 +0100

14 December 2007 - It has been reported that Powertech, a subsidiary of the Altron group has appointed Dr Herb Chikwanda as CEO of Powertech IST. Chikwanda, who was the managing director of IST Energy, will assume his new role in March.

Dr Herb Chikwanda has

been appointed as

CEO of Powertech IST.

“I am excited about taking up the challenge of maximising Powertech and IST’s synergies as we strive to create a leaner and more competitive organisation,” said Chikwanda.

Botswana hikes electricity tariffs

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:26:13 +0100

31 December 2007 - Electricity consumers in Botswana are due for an tariff increase, effective 1st January 2008. This appears to be the first increase in domestic tariffs by the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) since September 2005.

Says Tlhomamiso Selato, BPC's head of public relations "There is a continuing reduction in the availability of surplus generating capacity in the region which is characterised by an increase in the cost of imports, consistent with the normal laws of supply and demand. There is also a difficulty in sourcing electricity from the Southern African Power pool."

MIGA provides risk cover for Kenyan clean energy project

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:45:06 +0100

21 December 2007 - The World Bank's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) are to provide political risk cover for a Kenyan power plant.

"The US$88.3 million guarantee will support investments into a geothermal power plant with a combined capacity of 48MW" MIGA said in a press release.

Explains Christopher Ang, underwriter at MIGA, “Geothermal power plants release about 1 to 3 percent of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of a fossil fuel plant. At 95 percent capacity, the Olkaria III Geothermal Power Plant— developed, owned and operated by OrPower 4, Inc., a subsidiary of Ormat Technologies, Inc.—will produce more than 5.6 GWh of electricity. Compared to a diesel plant generating the same amount of energy, this would avoid several million tons of CO2 emissions over the life of the project.”

Eskom tariff increase decision presented by NERSA

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:31:36 +0100

ESKOM’S ELECTRICITY PRICE INCREASE FOR 2008/09 AND MUNICIPAL ELECTRICITY TARIFF GUIDELINE AND BENCHMARKS FOR 2008/9

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) considered and decided at its meeting this morning, Thursday, 20 December 2007, on Eskom’s application for a Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD) rule change and on the municipal electricity tariff guideline and benchmarks for the financial year 2008/09.

Ugandans due for distribution and transmission tariff increases

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:19:01 +0100

20 December 2007 - Ugandan power distributor Umeme and the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company (UETCL) have applied to the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) for an increase in tariffs. Both cited a need to recover target revenue and a return on investment as the reasons for the request.

Electricity prices have increased from US$.0101 in 2005 to US$0.252 in 2006 and Ugandans are paying the highest electricity tariffs in the region.

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE RE SECTOR IN SOUTH AFRICA

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:29:22 +0100

By Len van Wyk, Managing Director, Amatola Green Power (Pty) Ltd

There are great opportunities in the energy sector and in renewable energy in particular. In terms of project development, there are opportunities in biofuels, land-fill sites, hydropower, windpower, wave technology, etc. There are also opportunities in certificate trading in the form of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Tradable Renewable Energy Certificates (TRECS).

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE 2010 SOCCER WORLD CUP STADIUM SUPPLIES

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:12:01 +0100

Given the national and international exposure during each of the world cup soccer games in 2010, it is imperative that all efforts are made to ensure that the electrical supply to the stadia be as reliable as possible. Any unnecessary electricity outages that cause stoppages in games or result in a perceived security risk will create a negative perception of the South African electrical infrastructure.

BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE TRANSFORMER INSTALLATION BASE

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:04:38 +0100

Although Zest is a relative newcomer to the transformer market, since its entry into the market in 2004 it has notched up an impressive installation base of over 150 units, in all market sectors from mining, petrochemical, paper and utilities, to power generation.

“Significantly, even though we are considered a newcomer, we have managed to penetrate beyond the South African borders with transformers successfully operating in Madagascar, Zambia, Ghana, DRC,” Gary Daines, projects director at Zest, says. “Through WEG we are able to offer shorter lead times because of the company’s strategy of continuously expanding capacity to cater for international demands.”

DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMERS - A TIME FOR CHANGE?

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 09:57:44 +0100

Distribution transformers in Southern Africa are conventional oil cooled constructions. This is true for all of their various forms and almost without exception. This is primarily because of cost considerations. The good cooling characteristics of mineral transformer oil and use of cellulose solid insulation means that they can be designed and built at a lower cost than alternative constructions. Better reliability than alternatives in years gone by also played a part.

TRANSFORMER OIL ANALYSIS

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 09:27:33 +0100

By Niel Robinson, Managing Director, Wearcheck

It is well known that regular oil analysis is extremely useful in monitoring the condition of engines, drivetrains, hydraulics, turbines and many other types of oil lubricated equipment. The same can be said for transformer oils which are used to insulate many transformers and other electrical distribution equipment. The analysis of transformer oils not only provides information about the oil, but also enables the detection of other potential problems, including contact arcing, ageing insulating paper and other latent faults and is an indispensable part of a cost-efficient electrical maintenance programme.

THE RETURN OF ALUMINIUM & GLASS

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 09:14:33 +0100

By Mike Muller, Sales Manager, Light Be Street Light Maintenance

A typical aluminium
streetlight housing

Electrical street lighting in South Africa has been with us for more than a century. The first electrical street lights in this country where installed around 1887 in the, then very progressive mining town of Kimberly. The first street light in Cape Town was installed in the Rondebosch Fountain around 1891. These first luminaires were manufactured of cast iron and glass.

Seychelles

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:24:23 +0100

By Mr. Philippe Morin, MSc, CEng, MIET, MIEEE Executive Chairman, Public Utilities Corporation, Republic of Seychelles and Mr. Suresh Vishwakarma, IEng, MIET, MBA, Principal Engineer Public Utilities Corporation, Republic of Seychelles

Seychelles is one of the world’s most beautiful archipelago located 4^O South of the equator in the western part of the Indian Ocean, North of Madagascar and 1593 Kms east of Mombassa, Kenya. Seychelles has no equal simply because of the purity of its islands and is commonly known as “Paradise on Earth” or the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”. There are 115 islands in the entire archipelago out of which habitation is limited to only 10 islands. Majority of the total 455 sq km of land area is conserved as national parks and reserves. The capital city of Seychelles is Victoria which is on the main Island – Mahe.

Safety problems due to cable theft and lightning in Newcastle

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:10:24 +0100

By R.J. Mallinson, Pr. Tech (Eng), Pr. Cert Eng (Elec/Mech)

Cable theft has become a serious problem not only in Newcastle but in the whole of South Africa. Not only is it causing power failures, it is also creating a hazardous situation for maintenance staff and causes damage to equipment. Another problem is lightning strikes in Newcastle. The frequency of lightning strikes is high and poses a threat to staff while performing maintenance work.

Majuba coal fired power plant, South Africa

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:03:23 +0100

The 4 110MW Majuba coal-fired plant near Amersfoort in South Africa is being upgraded with new safety and monitoring equipment. The power station was built and is run by PTM, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eskom, which is the largest producer of coalfired electricity in the world with 40 000MW of capacity. The plant was first proposed in the late 1970s, with firm equipment orders coming in 1982. Construction began in September 1983 but was stalled by the slump in economic growth in South Africa as well as economic sanctions. The electricity demand it was expected to supply never materialised. Although there is still little South African demand, Eskom has persisted with the project in the expectation of major exports to other parts of Southern Africa through the planned Southern Africa power pool.

Occupancy sensors - the promise, the delivery, the cost

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:51:38 +0100

By Kenneth Cram, Director of Electro Sense (Pty) Ltd

Although use of occupancy sensors to control lighting is well established elsewhere, it is not in South Africa. The purpose of this article is to present: a sensor technology overview (The Promise); a detailed case study documenting delivered results at a major South African commercial facility in consumption (kwh) saved, demand (kw) reduced and environmental and social impact (The Delivery); and cost and Return On Investment information for installation of sensors (The Cost). Installation information will include practical considerations such as the impact on staff and company operations.