Electricity + Control January 2018

NOT TO BE MISSED

Africa Energy Indaba 20 – 21 February 2018

We invited Chesney Bradshaw to Write @ the back … and he says:

Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg Are you an energy innovator or future energy disrupter? Do you represent the latest in energy efficiency, energy conservation, green building technologies or renewable energy solutions? Are you a new or established energy company looking for customers, clients and suppliers? Enquiries: Email louise@energyindaba. co.za POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa 17 – 19 July 2018 Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg A forum that brings together international business leaders and technical experts com- mitted to powering up a continent. Enquiries: Visit www. powergenafrica. com/2018/html Electra Mining Africa 10 – 14 September 2018 Expo Centre, Nasrec in Johannesburg Gateway into Africa for further business ex- pansion. Enquiries: Visit www.electramining.co.za Local Manufacturing Exhibition 2019 21 – 23 May 2019 Expo Centre, Nasrec, Johannesburg An interactive, educational and practical show- case of South Africa’s most outstanding local manufacturing capabilities. Enquiries: Visit www.localmanufacturing- expo.co.za

‘An innovative mindset is needed for water solutions’

W e experienced the water crisis in the Western Cape first hand at a small seaside town during the December-January holiday season.

On arrival at our holiday accommodation, the owner pre- sented us with the municipality Level 6 Water Restrictions. He also gave us an old-fashioned egg timer with the instruction to keep showers to under one minute. Shopping centres and petrol service stations shut off taps for hand washing. Friends in the Cape Peninsula collected grey water to flush toilets and delayed flushing as long as possible. Gardens were barren and grass areas scorched into sand patches. The long list of restrictions detailed punitive measures, including fines for using water over con- sumption limits. But there were no incentives or rewards for water savings. One wonders why incentives for water savings were not introduced years ago.Warnings of climate change from scientists were ample and so was early evidence of erratic weather patterns. Disaster planning should have identified threats. Business continuity processes would also have identified risks and business impact assessments could have suggested counter measures. In some countries water utilities assist home owners and businesses to save water and electricity. Incentives such as rebates or cash backs are available for investment in water-saving and energy-sav- ing methods and technologies. Though water savings could result in lower municipality revenues, pressure on water infrastructure would be reduced. Besides, lower water revenues could be compensated by exploring alternative sources of revenue. Water for generations has been a public good. But with water crises increasing in many parts, home owners and businesses, particularly water-intensive operations such as laundries, car washes and farming, need to look into harnessing water themselves. They can invest privately in rainwater harvesting systems, small-scale desalination plants and other technologies such as atmospheric wa- ter generators. In these turbulent times of ever-increasing rapid change, innovation from whatever quarter should not be stymied, stifled, dismissed or ridiculed. Innovative mindsets are required to anticipate and re- spond to potential crises. Innovation in methods, new approaches and technology can help do some- thing about it.

brain block ... Question 8

Courtesy: L Enrico Bossart, Product Management, WIKA AlexanderWie- gand SE & Co. KG

Chesney Bradshaw, a sustainability practitioner and ISO 22301 Business Continuity Lead Auditor, writes in his private capacity. Enquiries: Email chesney@ideaaccelerator.co.za

What is a float switch and how does it actually work?

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

Africa Energy Indaba............................................................3 BECKHOFF......................................................................OFC DEHN Africa....................................................................28 ELPA................................................................................IFC Gator.................................................................................21 ifm................................................................................OBC

Marthinusen&Coutts........................................................23 Omron.............................................................................22 SEWEURODRIVE............................................................IBC VEGA..........................................................................33, 35 Woodbeam.......................................................................13 ZEST WEG Group...........................................................19

Answers to Brain Block questions are on our newsletters and website.

40 Electricity + Control

JANUARY 2018