Electricity + Control September 2017

COMMENT

ON THE COVER

The only thing that remains certain ...

D id any of us ever imagine a situation where decisions seem to be stifled by the pall of angst – hanging over almost every facet of our lives? Paralysis seems to have set in. A colleague said, just the other day, that the only thing that remains certain is the sun will rise each morning. And so it is. It also reminds us that energy must be the highest priority for those of us still able to think clearly. And be aware – the fact that the sun rises each morning over this beautiful country really must provide us with a clue as to what needs to be in the mix. Equally, we need to consider the least-harmful way of providing that base load – and there are a few options. One thing is certain… solar will be part of that mix – it has to be. Coal will be with us for a while – and continentally, nuclear is inevitable. However, no matter how we imagine this future, the deployment of energy across the African continent will be unique – sim- ply because the place is so darned big! For- get the scenario where base load is avail- able to feed each user. It will not happen.

So the mix and blend of systems and sources is fertile ground for innovation. That the sun is there to serve this conti- nent is one aspect requiring, frankly, far deeper thought. Imagine your industry only running when the sun shines? It will imply the need to consider what type of industry can exist, where, and how we mix and match. Imagine rethinking the way business runs to be reliant on the sun? Of course it can be done – but best we kick away that box that restricts our thinking. Whereas we tend to think of our various supplies ending up hooked into some or other grid, what that means is likely to change.

FEATURES: · Control systems+ automation · Drives,motors+ switchgear

· Plantmaintenance, test+measurement · Sensors, switches+ transducers

ECSEP2017 cover.indd 2 8/15/2017 3:18:24PM www.electricityandcontrolmagazine.co.za

Fluke ’s three-phase power logger, the 1738, gives users the data needed to make critical power quality and energy decisions in real-time. Read more on page 37.

Magazine Team

It also means that, frankly, we probably do not yet know what ‘smart’ really is.

Editor: Design & Layout: Advertising Managers:

Wendy Izgorsek Adél JvR Bothma Helen Couvaras Heidi Jandrell Karen Smith Karen Grant Wilhelm du Plessis Ian Jandrell

Watch this space.

Circulation: Publisher: Deputy Publisher: Editorial Technical Director:

As fast as we see so many things com- promised by inaction based on a fear of making decisions, I suspect that this area of technology is one where we will be making some big and smart decisions – which is good, indeed.

Circulation

Quarter 2 (Apr - Jun 2017) Total print circulation: 4 703

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