Modern Mining June 2020

technology is available to generate automated con- dition monitoring reports from the equipment itself, via sensors that provide this feedback.” Zest WEG advocates the use of the WEG Motor Scan sensor on electric motors, which measures the parameters previously determined by maintenance teams, including vibration, temperature and speed. A central hub collates the data from all the motors on site and makes it available on electronic devices such as cell phones and tablets, allowing mainte- nance personnel to visit only the motors manifesting defects. “Today’s equipment is becoming ever more inter- connected,” says Vargas. “Even if you don’t have WiFi available, this interconnection can be achieved via data cables or Profibus.” He says operational efficiency requires “much rethinking” of the operation and should pose ques- tions that will lead to improving processes at all levels of the operation. “Focusing your skills on these questions is the key to improving your capacity and operational effi- ciency. It translates to reduced cost, which makes you more competitive. If, for instance, the coal price falls or commodity prices drop, you’ll have a buffer because you run a more efficient operation.” Zest WEG integrated solutions Gerrard says Zest WEG’s energy portfolio is adminis- tered by its integrated solutions division. Its portfolio of products and services, he says, is “diverse”, and the division focuses on power generation, electrical infrastructure and mobile solutions. “In terms of power generation, we offer com- plete diesel power generation plants, cogeneration solutions for industries such as paper and pulp, and we are currently finalising our strategy to enter the renewable energy market. “On the electrical infrastructure side, we provide energy transmission and distribution solutions, cov- ering new substations, substation expansions and refurbishments as well as overhead lines.” In terms of mobile solutions, the group offers a “highly custom engineered-type portfolio” of fit for purpose mobile solutions including mobile gen- eration solutions providing power generation at different areas of the operation, as opposed to fixed power stations. The introduction of mobile substations which, says Gerrard, offers greater flexibility, has provided an attractive alternative to fixed stations. “We also provide other mobile derivatives such as skid-based solutions,” he says. Vargas sums it up: “We can work on generation and the alternatives available in that space, including battery storage, where we are seeing the emer- gence of batteries in the 50 to 100 MW range and, in some cases, up to 400 MW. “On the transmission side,” he says, “we provide

substations, transmission lines, switches and high- voltage connections, among others. In terms of energy usage, we focus on controlling this equip- ment by means of solutions including motor control centres (MCCs) and distribution boards (DBs). “We concentrate on both sides of the energy equation – from generation to consumption. This provides us with insight into how the various com- ponents interact and allows us to provide a truly integrated solution, as opposed to merely an energy solution.” The company’s approach incorporates more than simply providing products such as turnkey mobile substations, but embarks on “fact-finding missions” to establish clients’ exact needs, why they require the solution and how it will be put to use, so going beyond the product and finding a workable solution. “Our preference is to become involved as early as possible for a better understanding of the client’s requirements, which helps us to develop a solution to fit their needs,” says Gerrard. “We meet with the customer at the pre-feasibility stage, for example, and understand their plans, the life of the operation, their limitations and the anticipated requirements. We then work with them through the various phases, from pre-feasibility to feasibility and right through to execution.” Innovations Zest WEG has recently introduced the WEG Motor Scan performance monitoring solution for electric motors which extracts operating data and stores it

Zest WEG’s parent company WEG has extensive experience in the renewable energy market in South America.

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