Electricity and Control May 2020

DRIVES, MOTORS + SWITCHGEAR : PRODUCTS + SERVICES

Optimising efficiencies in port operations Vert Energy – exclusive distributor for Leroy-Somer in southern Africa – offers automation systems and engineering services for container, dry bulk terminal and port materials handling. The solutions are designed to optimise the movement of containers and goods and, at the same time, maximise safety, energy efficiency and fuel savings. Leroy-Somer’s automation systems for port logistics operations include variable speed modular drives, high- efficiency motors and a dedicated crane management system (CMS). The systems are installed at harbours around the world. Though compact, they deliver the power and control to optimise the automation, speed and reliability of cranes and materials handling equipment. “Together with Leroy-Somer specialists, the Vert Energy team offers port operators completely new equipment automation installation services, and has the expertise to modernise existing installed systems,” says Grant Robertson, Managing Director, Vert Energy. “This extends the lifetime of equipment and maximises benefits from the initial investment, as well as increasing safety on site and reducing operational costs. Furthermore, our eco-friendly fuel-saving solutions minimise environmental impact by reducing CO 2 emissions and decreasing equipment noise levels. “Projects vary from small logistic machine automation, to comprehensive electrical turnkey port automation solutions. Our port logistics services comprise advanced drive and motor technology and scalable automation solutions, which extend from simple drive and motor conveyor or hopper control, to a complete crane or port handling equipment automation solution. “Our customised technical services encompass

and safe automation solutions enhance the efficiency of crane operators and also assist engineering and maintenance staff to resolve and analyse faults.” The Leroy-Somer drives and motors available from Vert Energy incorporate specific technologies to make port equipment safer: a range of motors and brake gear motors for static hold and dynamic braking, for example, and variable speed drives with built-in safety features for electric brake control and overspeed management. The Leroy-Somer CMS, which monitors the physical and operating conditions of port equipment on a real-time basis, is used to operate cranes, schedule maintenance, analyse faults, reconfigure the drives and provide crane production data. Single or multiple crane control systems communicate with the remote crane management system (RCMS) via fibre optic cables or wireless communication systems, to reduce equipment maintenance and downtime. RCMS can be used at maintenance level for service monitoring, at operations level to track equipment availability, and at management level to provide performance data. Fault-tolerant modular ac drive systems are used to control the movement of cranes and handling equipment and built-in redundancy enables continuous operations. The differential GPS control system provides accurate and safe automatic steering for cranes and yard tracking systems, linked with the terminal operating system. Leroy-Somer’s range of hoisting induction motors supports improved crane performance, delivering high- speed for greater productivity and low inertia for smoother start/run/stop operations, as well as reduced maintenance requirements. Modular ac and dc drive crane systems can be set up with an active front end (regenerative mode) where control of the brakes via the drive software and constant power hoisting via feedback from load-cells prevents overload or overspeed. During lowering operations, the system can automatically move into regeneration mode to feed energy back into the port grid system, providing savings in energy usage. Where appropriate, energy saved can be channelled into energy storage systems. Electric motors account for nearly 65% of the electricity used by the port logistics industry. Leroy Somer drives and motors solutions are developed together to maximise energy savings and performance. For example, Dyneo® permanent magnet solutions and IE2/3 induction solutions, are combined with variable speed drive technologies, to offer the highest levels of energy saving. With its range of high-performance products and extensive experience in port equipment automation solutions, Vert Energy offers port operators faster turnaround and delivery of cargo as well as improved productivity, safety and energy efficiency.

consultation, installation, commissioning, training, maintenance and repairs, to ensure optimum performance of port equipment.” Robertson adds that the benefits of modular drive systems and advanced automation are extensive. “They include fast turnaround of containers, bulk cargo or freight, by optimising the loading/unloading and storage cycles. Intelligent Energy consumption and related costs can account for up to 60% of a port’s operating expenses. LS motor and drive technologies are combined to maximise energy savings and performance, in line with global efficiency standards.

For more information contact Vert Energy. Tel: 086 111 8378, email: ryan.robertson@vertgroup.co.za or visit: www.vertgroup.co.za

16 Electricity + Control MAY 2020