Electricity and Control August 2021

ENERGY MANAGEMENT + THE INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT

Founded in 2008, Energy Partners is a leading solar energy, refrigeration and steam services provider in South Africa. It offers turnkey, co-owned and fully outsourced utility solutions to clients in commercial and industrial markets. Energy Partners has built a high quality team of 83 engineers and 453 permanent staff based in eight offices across South Africa and Namibia. The company actively invests in solar energy generation, refrigeration and steam assets at businesses to provide clients with cost-effective and sustainable utilities, while eliminating the need for upfront capital on the part of the client. Energy Partners also integrates the diverse components of energy optimisation to deliver optimal results – including capital solutions that put clients in positive cash flow positions from day one. This steady temperature control is particularly advantageous for the curing operations of the plant.” One of the air-handling units provides clean conditioned air for the processing and warehouse areas, the second unit provides a controlled atmosphere to the bulk storage room. The system simultaneously supplies 768 kW of heat to generate hot water at 57°C for the curing/drying area coolers and air-handling units, as well as hot water for domestic use. Energy Partners worked with world leading macadamia expert Dorran Bungay, who provided the design outline for this facility. The South African macadamia industry is experiencing growthwith high demand for export, which in turn contributes to the country’s economic development. Kriel notes that EP Refrigeration’s presence at Marquis Macadamias is also creating other opportunities for the company in the area.

One of the air-handling units provides clean conditioned air for the processing and warehouse areas, the other a controlled atmosphere in the bulk storage room. “Our footprint has certainly grown in the Mbombela region as a result of this significant project. We now have capacity to provide refrigeration and heating services to other food processing facilities operating in the area.” The Marquis Macadamias facility sets the benchmark for sustainable heating and cooling solutions at food pro­ cessing plants. “We are already involved in other projects that will benefit from our learnings at this site. We hope to see many more operations in the food processing industry follow suit to reduce unnecessary energy usage and ex­ penditure by implementing more sustainable solutions,” Kriel concludes. □ Silver-plated contacts ensure lower contact resistance values during long-term use. The new connectors with crimp connection are designed for currents up to 40 A (TÜV)/50 A (UL) and voltages up to 1 500 V (TÜV/UL). The cable-based Sunclix string fuses are available to protect the PV panels from damage caused by over voltages. Cable connections make installation easy and flexible. Pre-assembled versions and versions with free cable ends are available. The string fuses are available for voltages up to 1 500 V at currents from 3.7 to 17 A. The tripping behaviour has been tested in accordance with TÜV certification 2PfG 2380. International approvals in accordance with IEC 62852 and UL 6703 ensure the connector range meets current and future requirements. All new products satisfy a high degree of protection in accordance with IP66 and IP68. For more information contact Phoenix Contact. Tel: +27 (0)11 801 8200 Email: info@phoenixcontact.co.za Visit: www.phoenixcontact.com/en-za For more information visit: www.energypartners.co.za

ENERGY MANAGEMENT + THE INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT : PRODUCTS + SERVICES

New connectors for photovoltaics

The Sunclix product series for photovoltaic systems from Phoenix Contact has been extended to include new connectors and cable-based string fuses. The device connectors are particularly suitable for cabling inverters and string combiner boxes. The fast screw connection saves users time and money during installation. A patented unlock system enables smaller dimensions as well as convenient release without the need for a special tool. Silver-plated contacts ensure connection

The new Sunclix connectors are designed for cabling photovoltaic panels.

technology with long-term stability. The new device connectors are designed for currents up to 38 A (TÜV)/50 A (UL) and voltages up to 1 500 V (TÜV/UL). In addition, new Sunclix connectors with crimp connection are available for cabling PV panels. These versions support (semi-) automated processing.

16 Electricity + Control AUGUST 2021