MechChem Africa March 2018

⎪ Power generation, sustainable energy and energy management ⎪

First-of-its-kind distributed generation platform Cummins Inc and NRG Energy of the US have announced a strategic commercial partnership to deploy a resilient, cleaner and more cost-effective distributed generation platform for commercial and industrial customers.

their goals in environmental stewardship, and cost and risk reduction,” Nusterer states. NRGbusiness solutions president, Robert Gaudette, highlights that Cummins and NRG have a shared vision to deploy new technolo- gies such as this platform to provide custom- ers with reliable power, and assist them in navigating the increasingly complex energy market. In the US, NRG operates more than 50 GWof power assets, including more than 50 renewable energy projects, totalling ap- proximately 5GWof solar andwind capacity. With its uniquely skilled team, NRG supports renewable energy strategies that combine various technologies to meet customers’ needs, using a technology-neutral mind-set thatallowsforflexibleandadaptablesystems, centred around distributed generation as- sets such as microgrids and thermal energy systems, using various proven renewable and/or hybrid systems. q

C ummins’ easy-to-implement gen- eration platform, the first-of-its- kind in the energy industry, gives customers the opportunity to transition to a smarter energy consumption model. With a preliminary estimate of hun- dreds of megawatts of capacity, or enough to power tens of thousands of homes, the platform enhances customers’ energy usage through Cummins-powered generators and Next Renewable Generation (NRG) distrib- uted generation resource capabilities. The companies estimate that the solution will savecustomersup to15%on their current energy costs, and in many cases with zero enrolment expenses. In addition to provid- ing customers with more control over their energy future, the platform is expected to reduce environmental impact andpower-grid stresssignificantly.Furthermore,theplatform architecture allows formore capacity tomeet expanding market requirements. The companies note that while the formal partnership is new, they have in recent years successfully implemented distributed gen- erationmodels for several customers, and are

nowready tobring this proven, cost-effective solution to a wider customer base. Cummins Inc. power systems business president, Norbert Nusterer, comments that the reliability of power remains critical in the overall distributed generation equation. This is a business model that leverages Cummins’ expertiseinmanufacturingpower-generation equipment for the harshest and most de- manding operating conditions. “Having deployed several

hundred megawatts, and delivered strong economic returns and reliability to

customers, this p a r t n e r s h i p is intended to expand on the experience we

have gained. Ourpartnership withNRGbrings together nearly 125 years of energy leadership to give more customers new ways to achieve

The distributed solution enables customers to transition to smarter energy consumption.

Dry-type transformers for DRC mine Alphamin Resources’ remote Bisie tin mine is being supplied with

a diesel-powered generator plant – from 400 V to 11 kV – to feed the mine. The project’s scope also includes two 100 kVA, 400V/400VDyn11dry-type lighting trans- formers for application outdoors. “Thedesignof thesedry-type transform- ersmakes themsuitable for the climatic con- ditions at themine,” saysClaassen. “They re- quire only aminimal movement of air across the windings to cool them down, although forced air options can also be employed where necessary if ambient temperatures rise high enough.” Thehigher efficiencyof the cast resinde- signmeans that heat losses are lower, along with cooling requirements. This efficiency also reduces the energy consumed by these transformers, and hence will reduce diesel consumption in this application. “An important advantage in this remote location is that dry-type transformers are almost maintenance-free and could last for 25 years without significant attention,” he concludes. q

Bisie’s location – some 160 km north- east of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s North Kivu province – places constraints on the transformers’ installation that have been taken into account in their careful selection and design. “With a very difficult access road to the mining operation, the substation and transformershavebeencustom-designed to withstand the many stresses expected dur- ing transport,” says Trafo Power Solutions managing director, DavidClaassen. “To deal with the extreme heat and humidity of over 90%, we have also designed the ventilation and airflow in-house.” The delivery will involve the movement of two 3 000 kVA, 400 V/11 kV cast resin transformers housed in6.0mhigh cube con- tainers. The consignment will also include the ventilation systems, lighting and small power equipment. These transformers will be used for stepping up the supply from

fit-for-purpose dry- type transformers by Johannesburg-based Trafo Power Solutions, in a fast track project that will see the complete solu- tion manufac- tured in just 12weeks.

David Claassen, managing director of Trafo Power Solutions.

March 2018 • MechChem Africa ¦ 21