MechChem Africa January 2017

⎪ Products and industry news ⎪

Compact substation supplied to Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Internship programmes – paving future career paths for unemployed learners Atlas Copco South Africa’s internship programme is “anexcellent initiative that provides unemployed learners with a unique opportunity to gain invalu- able, hands-on experience in the workplace,” says KathrynCoetzer, thecompany’s academymanager. First adopted in 2015, the six-week internship programme exposes the learners to a functioning business environment by presenting them with a platformto shadowvarious job functions and roles within the organisation. Coetzer adds that they interact with employees from all levels within the company as well as with customers and suppliers. “We invite learners aged between 18 and 35 who have successfully completed the academic component of a business-relateddiploma – such as marketing, human resource and businessmanage- ment, through a TVET college – to our internship programme.”Coetzer explains that the learners are required to submit amotivational letter alongwith their application, which, she stresses, is “one of the most important criteria for selection”. “We look for a group of dynamic and talented individuals who are really eager to grab this op- portunity with both hands. Their passion and en- thusiasmmust shine through.” Coetzer also points out that “work experience is not a requirement”. The handpicked interns are divided into groups before being given a themed project to work on for the duration of the programme. The theme for 2015 was ‘Employer branding – what can Atlas Copco do differently to attract young talent?’ and ‘Reception as brand ambassadors for Atlas Copco’ was the topic for this year’s interns. They are given various training and develop- ment opportunities from internal subject matter experts as well as NQF-aligned skills programmes from accredited training providers. At the end of the programme, the interns are expected to put forward a project presentation to a panel of judges. Human resources and line managementareinvitedtothesepresentationsand interns are encouraged to use this opportunity to market themselves and apply for longer duration internships within Atlas Copco. www.atlascopcogroup.com

ABB,aleadingpowerandautomationtech- nologygroupworldwide,issupplyingaR1,2 millionUniPack compact substation to the CapePeninsulaUniversityof Technology’s (CPUT’s) chemical engineering building. The compact substation will help to im- prove monitoring of its electrical network and will offer a real-time training platform for critical electrical engineering skills. Manie Jooste, product groupmanager, secondary switchgear and modular sys- tems, electrification products, explains that thenewUniPack compact substation, the first supplied by ABB in South Africa, is “a special type of mini substation that facilitates viewing and analysis of electri- cal signals fed to a control roomcomputer screen known as a Remote Terminal Unit (RTU)”. Installation of the new substation is part of the current CPUT project for refurbishment of the Bellville campus’ electrical reticulation network with new switchgear and new protective relays compatiblewith IEC61850 standard tech- nology. This projectwas initiated to imple- ment the research outcomes achieved by the postgraduate students at the Centre for Substation Automation and Energy Management Systems. An important consideration for the customer in the implementation of ABB’s UniPack compact substation was compli- ancewith IEC61850and compatibility for intelligent electronic devices (IEDs). ABB’s substation automationproducts and systems are fully compliant with the IEC 61850 standard. This open protocol covers all communication issues inside the substation; assures interoperability between the functions existing inside the substation; supports all types of architec- tures used; reduces operating costs; and safeguards investments. ABB has deliv-

ered numerous IEC 61850-based substa- tion automation systems worldwide. ABB’s products interoperatewith oth- er IEC 61850-compliant intelligent elec- tronic devices (IEDs), tools and systems. They are able to handle comprehensive communicationtasks,forexampleGOOSE (Generic Object Oriented Substation Event) messaging for horizontal com- munication. ABB’s 670 series protection and control IEDs provide versatile func- tionality, as well as maximum flexibility and performance to meet the highest re- quirements of any application in genera- tion, transmission and sub-transmission protection systems. “The compact substation togetherwith its automation system will assist the uni- versity to monitor its electrical network status, equipment such as closed circuit breakers, open circuit breakers as well as protection trip history and electrical fault location,” says Jooste. www.abb.com ABB’s UniPack Compact Substation is a special type of mini substation that facilitates viewing and analysis of electri- cal signals fed to a control room computer screen known as a Remote Terminal Unit (RTU).

A perfect ending to the 2016 Atlas Copco Intern- ship Programme – interns putting their go-karting skills to the test.

January 2017 • MechChem Africa ¦ 39