Mechanical Technology June 2015

⎪ Sustainable energy and energy management ⎪

Servicing Africa’s genset manufacturing sector

Vert Energy has extended its range of electric power generation (EPG) components and service to meet growing demand from generator set builders and electro-mechanical power transmission industries. Services the electro-mechanical power generation sector in Africa encompass the supply of dependable components to generator manufacturers, with the support from repair and maintenance facilities throughout the continent.

Vert Energy’s managing director, Grant Robertson.

“ I ncreasing energy requirements have placed power utilities under enormous pressure throughout the African continent, which is why companies are investing in alterna- tive sources of electricity production,” says Vert Energy’s managing director, Grant Robertson. “Vert Energy has es- tablished turnkey solutions partnerships in diverse sectors, including mining, shipping, agriculture, general engineer- ing, shipping, the railways, gas and petrochemicals. “Through an extensive range of qual- ity branded EPG products and a highly skilled team of technical experts, the company plays a major role in providing dependable power to companies, even in Africa’s most remote regions.

“As part of our commitment to the genset manufacturing sector, for the swift supply of reliable components, Vert Energy has made a substantial invest- ment in sourcing the finest components that produce electric energy from me- chanical energy and which withstand harsh operating conditions. “The company has been appointed exclusive distributors in sub-Saharan Africa for leading power generation brands, complemented by genuine spare parts and accessories. EPG components include Leroy-Somer (LS) alternators, DEIF generator controls and Covrad heat exchangers. “A critical part of our service is the availability throughout Africa of factory and OEM trained technicians who cope

Vert Energy’s Leroy-Somer Partner alternators are known for ease of integration, enhanced energy savings, high performance and reliability in demanding applications and harsh environments. The modular design means that the basic universal unit can be adapted to be driven by any prime mover. efficiently with electro-mechanical break- down situations or routine preventative maintenance procedures.” Leroy-Somer is the largest global producer of alternators for gensets and is committed to providing clean energy solutions. LS alternators, with ratings in excess of 20 000 kW, are suitable for all generation applications – whether for sup- plying electrical power on board a ship, electricity to deprived regions, or for pre- venting interruptions in the mains supply. These alternators, which are known for ease of integration and enhanced en- ergy savings, are also recognised for high performance and reliability in demanding applications and harsh environments. The modular design of these alternators means that the basic universal unit can be adapted to suit any make of prime mover. The LS industrial range of low and me- dium voltage alternators, which include 50 or 60 Hz, four or six pole versions with power ratings from 10 kW to 3 900 kW, are designed for gensets driven by diesel or gas engines. The AREP (auxiliary winding regula- tion excitation principle), a Leroy-Somer patent for standby generators, is a brushless, self-excited excitation system known for its efficient performance in harsh environments and for enhancing safety. It enables a short circuit current of about three times the rated current to be maintained for 10 seconds. This means that a circuit breaker can be tripped if there is a fault, without disturbing other

Johnny Canada, technical service manager, Vert Energy, is rewinding an exciter stator below deck on a vessel, while the vessel is fully operational.

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Mechanical Technology — June 2015