Electricity and Control June 2023

COMMENT

INDUSTRY 4.0 + IIOT

Encouraging young learners I write this comment as we prepare for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), which is being convened this year in Dallas. There are a number of reasons I am pleased to be able to report on this. The first and most obvious one is, this year, we will have the almost 2 000 pre-college learners from around the world on site. We are also expecting around 1 000 judges to be on hand to assess the projects over the next few days. Secondly, we again have a delegation of excellent South African young scientists competing at these international finals in Dallas. Make no mistake, the South African finalists more than hold their own on this spectacular international stage. The affiliated South African fair is the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists. The annual Eskom Expo has taken science to every corner of the nation – and beyond. It has promoted the importance of the STEMI subjects (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and innovation) in activities well beyond the classroom. Indeed, it is these extra-curricular commitments that really drive learners to understand the importance of STEMI. The challenge, of course, is how to achieve those same levels of interest, excitement and excellence in the average school and to impact all South African learners. We fare far less favourably on that front.

Thirdly, the ISEF reminds me that so many of the activities that drive a true love for science and engineering subjects rely on volunteers. I am fully aware that many folk reading this Comment are involved in such volunteer activities. The Eskom Expo relies on their involvement, and the Regeneron ISEF relies on it similarly. But allow me to challenge all of you to offer the opportunity to young learners to understand what our industry is all about, to learn what your company is all about. Reach out to local schools, and perhaps consider creating opportunities for the children of the employees of your company. We need far more youngsters interested in our industry. The world will be made a better place by offering them encouragement. You can also use the opportunity to emphasise that the problems we face will not be solved by accountants, lawyers, or even politicians… They will be solved by us, and those we encourage.

energy + information in industry

Modern remote monitoring solutions are designed to provide real-time data on equipment performance and maintenance needs, enabling proactive maintenance to reduce downtime and improve overall asset performance. (Read more on page 3.)

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Young SA scientists competing at the Regeneron ISEF A group of six outstanding young scientists from South Africa travelled to Dallas, Texas in the USA, in May, to showcase their scientific brilliance on the global stage at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

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severity of sinkholes occurring in Khutsong from underground water pipes’. Enzo Blignaut, Grade 10 at Paul Roos Gimnasium in Stellenbosch, will share his research on ‘The impact of land use type and distance downstream on the general river health and water quality in the Eerste River, Western Cape, South Africa’. Matthew Witbooy, Grade 12 at Curro Durbanville in Stellenbosch, will present his research on ‘Land use effects on soil quality in Philippi, Western Cape, South Africa’. Tyla Shepstone, Grade 10 at Somerset College in Stellenbosch, will present her research project, ‘Smart system for hazardous gas and heat detection and an alert system for households’. Yu Tang (Milo) Shan, Grade 12 at St John’s College in Johannesburg, will present his research project, ‘Soil Moisture Artificially Intelligent Regression in Domestic Garden Environment to Conserve Water’.

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These exceptional individuals won the opportunity to represent the country following their successful entries in the Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF) held in December 2022. The participating learners Brandon de Greef, Grade 12 at Crawford International Ruimsig, in Johannesburg, will present his research project entitled: ‘Evaluation of powdered insulators for High Voltage Applications’. Keitumetse Sebatlelo, Grade 11 at Carleton Jones High School in Merafong, Gauteng South, will present her research project on ‘Predicting the likelihood and

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JUNE 2023 Electricity + Control

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