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Efforts to boost local manufacture of renewable energy components

Published: 19 Apr 24

Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses South Africa's plans to stimulate local manufacturing around solar, wind and batteries.

The above image depicts the old Olkari I geothermal power plant in Kenya

Kenyan plant to be enhanced

Published: 19 Apr 24

Japan-based energy and power generation company Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba ESS) announced last month that it had received an order from SEPCOIII Electric Power Construction Company for steam turbines and generators for the geothermal power plant equipment renovation of units one through three at the old 45 MW Olkaria I geothermal power plant in Kenya. Toshiba ESS, in last month’s press release, noted that the equipment is set to be shipped to site by December 2025.

The above image depicts one of the solar plants engineered by JUWI

Energy grid impedes excess power transmission

Published: 19 Apr 24

South Africa’s current electricity transmission grid is generally constrained in the Cape provinces and unable to facilitate the connection of new utility-scale generation including that from solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind, says wind and solar energy facility developer JUWI Renewable Energies. Historically, the majority of South Africa’s electricity supply was provided by coal power stations, the majority located in Mpumalanga, with the power transmitted to the major load centres including those in the Cape. The national transmission grid is still set up in this way, despite the introduction of large-scale renewables, as the cost and time to upgrade this infrastructure is onerous.

The above image depicts one of the three mini-substations by Trafo Power Solutions which are in an IP54 configuration – ensuring that the units are completely sealed from dust and water that could occur in the copper/zinc mine

Mini-substations, transformers supplied to DRC

Published: 19 Apr 24

With its experience in Africa and its agility in executing projects rapidly, electrical equipment supplier Trafo Power Solutions is supplying three mini-substations and two transformers to a copper/zinc mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Trafo Power Solutions MD David Claassen states that the “pressure was on” from early in the planning stages to ensure this critical equipment was available on time – to facilitate the continued mine expansion.

AfDB president calls for political will to kick-start Inga 3 project

Published: 19 Apr 24

Development finance institution African Development Bank (AfDB) group president Dr Akinwumi Adesina has called for a major political commitment to kick-start construction work on the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC’s) giant Inga 3 dam, which has the potential to meet the power needs of more than a dozen countries in Central and Southern Africa. “We have been talking about Inga 3 for many years . . . What we need is political coordination,” Adesina told members of the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) board – which is led by chairperson Ebrahim Rasool – during a recent meeting at the AfDB’s headquarters in Abidjan.

The above image depicts the Legrand track busways which provide localised power to machines, removing the need to run power cables and extension cords across the floor, preventing potential fire and tripping hazards

Track busways more efficient than traditional systems

Published: 19 Apr 24

Electrical and digital specialist Legrand avers that its track busway system is an efficient and flexible alternative to traditional power distribution systems that lack flexibility in adapting to changes. Legrand states that a reliable and flexible power distribution system is an essential element in the manufacturing, industrial and commercial sectors, where facilities require upgrades to enhance energy efficiency and optimise productivity.

Record R12.1bn set aside for infrastructure in Cape Town’s R76.4bn budget for 2024/25

Published: 19 Apr 24

Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has tabled a R76.4-billion draft budget for the city for the 2024/25 financial year. The budget proposes record infrastructure investment of R12.1-billion for the year, and nearly R40-billion over the next three years.

Fog fluid product highlighted to prevent corrosion

Published: 19 Apr 24

Global corrosion protection company Cortec Corporation highlights that its CorroLogic VpCI-339 fogging fluid is fast, effective and convenient in addressing the challenges of void and corrosion in equipment, piping and structures. This fogging fluid protects void spaces, complex internal cavities, double wall spaces, pipes, heat exchangers and modules, and can be applied within the transportation and deep storage of key assets.

New-vehicle sales plummet 11.7% in March, extending months-long slide

Published: 19 Apr 24

New-vehicle sales plummeted by 11.7% in March, to 44 237 units, compared with the same month last year. Sales for the first quarter of the year are now 5.3% below the same period last year.

GAC Motor joins inflow from China

Published: 19 Apr 24

China’s GAC Motor has appointed Salvador Caetano Auto as the distributor and retailer of GAC vehicles, spare parts and related services in South Africa (SA). GAC Motor is a subsidiary of the State-owned GAC Group, and was founded in 1997. The brand joins a rapidly growing number of Chinese vehicles on sale in South Africa.