Electricity + Control September 2018

NOT TO BE MISSED

Electra Mining Africa 10 – 14 September 2018

Expo Centre, Nasrec in Johannesburg Gateway into Africa for further business expansion. Enquiries: Visit www.electramining.co.za Sub Saharan Africa Power Summit 2018 17 – 19 October 2018 Cape Town Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers The SSA Power Summit provides a platform to address some key challenges of improving ageing power infrastructure, developing new power infrastructure, renewable power innovations, gas to power technologies, transmission and distribution solutions, more cost-effective temporary power solutions and much more. A focused conference and exhibition covering numerous themes and matters associated with energystorage, renewable energy and smart grid in domestic, commercial, industrial, utility, mini/micro-grid and electric vehicle applications. Enquiries:Visit www.energystorage.co.za Southern African Energy Efficiency Convention 13 – 14 November 2018 Emperors Palace, Kempton Park The Southern African Energy Efficiency Convention is an important energy event of national scope for end-users and energy professionals in all areas of the energy field. Enquiries: Visit www.saeec.org.za Energy Storage 2018 22 – 23 October 2018 Emperor’s Palace, Johannesburg

From waste to energy

Keshin Govender, Siemens

Although many would argue otherwise, the inevitable concept of centralised power plants is slowly dissipating. We’re moving into an era where consumers of energy are also becoming producers of it, where communities and businesses are generating their own power. But, even though conversations around decentralised energy systems are happening more often, the waste-to-energy conversation

is still on the side-line and hasn’t become a familiar topic to many. So, what are some of the benefits of turning waste into energy?

Reduction of waste going to landfills Most of South Africa’s waste is still going to dump sites and is not being recycled or converted into energy; this means that the country is losing many acres of land to these increasing landfills. Generating energy from waste means that the waste that would have otherwise gone to landfills is diverted 'Waste to Energy' facilities for conversion, therefore, saving land and reducing landfills. Carbon emissions and greenhouse gasses are reduced Methane that is produced from decomposing waste is a toxic greenhouse gas. The production of energy from waste contributes significantly towards reducing carbon emissions and meeting renew- able energy targets.They have good sustainability and greenhouse gas saving characteristics, as they make further use of materials that have already been discarded. Waste seen as source for energy saves the limited fossil fuel resources for the production of sustainable energy Local production and use of energy Having local/community 'Waste to Energy' facilities minimises the air pollution of travelling to re- gional landfills that are located far from the communities that are using them. Because much of the waste is generated locally, there is no need to produce and generate energy far out. Electricity for the community can be generated within the community. Stabilises power supply and energy prices Using municipal waste to produce electricity can stabilise the price of electricity as well as its availa- bility. Because humans are continuously generating tons waste daily, shortages will be far and wide. These 'Waste to Energy' facilities can operate around-the-clock daily to provide a sufficient amount of electricity that will meet the needs of a community.

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

Actom..........................................15 Barloworld Power...............................27 Beckhoff Automation...........................IFC Comtest...................................OFC, 37 Countapulse.......................................9 Endress + Hauser.................................23

Engen Turbine Oils.................................25 Hellerman Tyton..................................35 Helukabel.........................................39 ifm..................................................OBC JB Switchgear.......................................19 Marthinusen & Coutts...........................13

Omron...................................................7 PCMP.....................................................11 R&C Instrumentation..........................43 SEW Eurodrive..................................IBC Siemens..................................................3 ZEST WEG Group................................21

48 Electricity + Control

SEPTEMBER 2018