Capital Equipment News November 2021

ENGINES

solution globally and Scania is one of the leaders in this space with a strong line-up of gas engines founded on two cornerstones: the use of alternative fuels and energy efficiency. Combining actions within these areas will help any company take a giant leap towards their CO 2 -target, faster than ever before. “At Scania we offer a line-up of gas engines that run on natural gas (CNG/LNG) as well as biogas (CBG/LBG), and all are characterised by high performance, sound fuel efficiency, lower carbon emissions and low noise levels,” adds Steenkamp. Key trends Commenting on new trends in the engine business, Steenkamp says more customers are looking to data to help optimise and manage their assets. “At Scania our mission is to provide profitable services based on connectivity that makes sure assets are end- customer connected,” he says. With connected engines from Scania, customers don’t have to worry about lengthy or unplanned downtime and can enjoy more operational insight and facilitated fleet monitoring and management. Connectivity allows for real-time intelligence, he adds. By providing reliable real-time data from remote locations, connected engines from Scania link the office with the field. Fleet managers and other office staff can monitor running time and status, position, speed, direction, movement patterns, fuel consumption and emission levels, for individual machines or the full fleet. The data can then be utilised to increase uptime and operational efficiency, and to identify improvement areas. An intuitive online portal allows users to take quick action on service issues, improve maintenance planning, set geofences, determine bottlenecks and loading frequency, and more. It can also help to gain product insight and function as a platform to help reduce cost and environmental impact. “Connected engines further strengthen our top-quality maintenance and repair capabilities. Apart from flagging minor issues ahead of an upcoming maintenance appointment, connectivity also allows Scania technicians to diagnose the engine remotely. For more complex issues, this means they can provide swift advice and ensure that they bring the required tools and parts to the site. The result: higher equipment uptime and productivity,” concludes Steenkamp, adding that from 2022, all Scania engines will come standard with Scania’s C300 control unit. b

“With our strong product and service offering, we are in a great position to continue delivering value to our customers in terms of operating economy, service and safety.”

Marius Steenkamp, director of operations at Scania Southern Africa

TALKING POINT

Scania engines are renowned for their operating efficiencies.

complemented by installation support as well as services during operation for manufacturers and operators alike,” says Steenkamp. Under its Marine Power Systems portfolio, Scania provides engines that span from 220 hp to 1 150 hp (162 – 846 kW) as well as instrumentation, after treatment systems and other adjacent powertrain components. Currently, Power Generation engines are generating more interest in the market and Steenkamp explains why: “With Eskom in a crisis due to generation capacity shortages, the state-owned power utility is struggling to meet generation demands, resulting in ongoing power cuts. Consumers are therefore forced to rely on backup generators to stay operational, resulting in increased demand for engines in the Power Generation segment, and of standby rating,” he says. Competitive edge In a competitive and challenging market that is prioritising cost-efficiencies and unravelling traditional cost-savings arguments, Steenkamp says Scania is redefining reliable partnerships through

its engine range. “Our engines are renowned for their robust operating efficiencies, legendary power, outstanding operating economy and unrivalled reliability. This, together with our dedicated staff, is what has kept Scania at the forefront of power generation,” he says. Scania has a unique modular concept with shared components and systems for all its engines. The result is higher parts availability, minimised waste and easy servicing by a single technician. The ability to support the asset is key, stresses Steenkamp. This requires skilled technical personnel and high parts availability. Scania has an outstanding aftermarket availability that ensures strong partnerships and the company continuously strives to strengthen its relationships and collaborations with equipment suppliers. “With our strong product and service offering, we are in a great position to continue delivering value to our customers in terms of operating economy, service and safety,” says Steenkamp. On the sustainability front, alternative fuels are no compromise. Replacing diesel with gas is a sought-after sustainable

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS NOVEMBER 2021 14