Sparks Electrical News February 2022

ENERGY MEASUREMENT AND SUPPLY + ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

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New drive cuts emissions and reduces energy costs T he growing need to reduce energy use and CO 2 emissions while cutting operational costs is seeing ‘unprecedented levels’ of interest in are realising major benefits through greater network reliability, reduction of maintenance and greater me- chanical equipment longevity.

The ACS580MV is also fully compatible with the company’s ABB Ability condition monitoring services, which allow custom- ers to obtain real-time data about the status and performance of the monitored equip- ment from any location. The drive is sup- plied ready to connect to the ABB Ability condition monitoring services, which sim- plifies on-demand remote support. “Since the launch of the 3,3 kV voltage range, we have seen a significant growth in local order intake from both existing and new customers. This is a clear indication that the market has realised that the prod- uct is well positioned to offer a value propo- sition backed by a very well-established lo- cal service team,” says McCree.

“There’s a growing demand for energy-efficient products in the sub-Saharan market which considers the region’s specific requirements, from the voltage level to protection design, to ensure that drives can work optimally in a variety of complex, harsh working environments. At the same time, clients are looking for products that are easy to operate and maintain,” says McCree. ABB recently relaunched its ACS580MV drive in the local market, offering higher efficiency, cost-effec- tiveness and ease of implementation to the industrial sector, with applications specifically for pumps and fans. Built-in energy calculators, including used and saved kWh, CO2 reduction and money saved, help users monitor and fine-tune their processes to ensure optimal energy use.

energy-efficient technologies – including low and me- dium voltage drives – across sub-Saharan Africa, says power and automation technology group ABB. Drives have a significant potential for energy-saving across a range of industries, including power, water and wastewater, cement, mining, metals and pulp and paper. By controlling the speed and torque of motors, drives can reduce energy usage by between 30 and 50%, thereby significantly improving industrial energy efficiency. Drives are used to adapt the motor speed to the actual need, which optimises energy consumption and lowers environmental impact. ABB’s product marketing manager Sean McCree says that while financial decision makers are gener- ally attracted by the potential of drives to save costs and reduce energy consumption, electrical engineers T he African Development Bank (ADB) esti- mates that Africa will require infrastructure funding of up to $170-billion a year by 2025, with an estimated shortfall of around $100-billion a year. This is against the background of the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw the continent’s GDP contract by 2,1% in 2020, its first recession in half a century. “Dealing with this problem is a complex issue that requires a combination of engineering excellence and readily available funding,” comments Dr. Frank Igboa- malu, CEO of the newly-established Osmotic Engi- neering Group (OEG), which has the vision of being the driving force behind sustainable infrastructure on the continent. The firm’s key focus areas are water, energy and telecommunications, with offices in South Africa and Nigeria at present. The directors have deep experi- ence, each being a specialist in one or more of these fields, and having worked for corporate and utility institutions in Africa. The team is highly-skilled in project and business development, and also has ex- pertise in managing various infrastructure projects across Africa. “All infrastructure is ultimately related, as water, energy and telecommunications are essential for growth. We also have the opportunity to ensure that our infrastructure is future-proofed and capable of ushering in a new era of growth in Africa,” adds Dr. Ig- boamalu. “By 2040, we want to see a continent where every person has access to potable water, electricity and connectivity.” These are crucial due to the fact that, for example, half of the world lacks internet ac- cess, with 70% of that figure in Africa alone, and a similar situation in water and electricity. Hence OEG came about as a grouping of highly-experienced engineers looking at novel ways to resolve the infra- structure deficit on the continent. “We are African engineers who can solve complex infrastructure problems in Africa, as we have ground- level insight into the issues that affect both commu- nities and economies on the continent. What makes OEG unique is that we back up engineering solutions with funding solutions. Without the necessary fund- ing, it is impractical to implement engineering solu- tions in Africa, even if these represent the best tech- nology available globally,” highlights Dr. Igboamalu. OEG operates on the basis of collaborating with funders and financial, legal and environmental ex- perts and others who prepare projects to financial close. This typically includes large scale infrastruc- ture projects that are developed by means of public- private partnerships (PPPs) or other forms of project finance. The ADB highlights that total investment in PPP infrastructure increased nearly sixfold from $1,2-billion in 2004 to $6,9-billion in 2019, while the number of PPP projects increased from 16 to 30. Business Development Director Ronnie Khoza de- scribes OEG as a multidisciplinary engineering firm with a technical advisory and consulting capability. “We perceive ourselves as engineers who understand

Enquiries: +27 (0)10 202-5105

Osmotic Engineering Group aims to be the driving force behind sustainable infrastructure in Africa

Over 600 power plants, 7 GW installed capacity in Africa T he technology group Wärtsilä first began its Africa operations in Tanzania back in 1975. Since then, the group has delivered more

cost efficient and climate friendly operations.

Africa’s future, beyond energy As a leading international EPC (Engineering, Pro- curement and Construction) company, Wärtsilä has a history of providing unique power solutions to meet the specific challenges of its clients as well as to extend educational and economic benefits to local communities when delivering on projects such as Tasiast in Mauritania and Ndola in Zambia. “For Wärtsilä, EPC also means Experience, Proven and Compliant. These projects have helped several nations accelerate their development and increase their standard of living, not to forget the many jobs created across the continent. At the heart of each project is local engagement, training and transmis- sion,” said Fabien Cadaut, the company’s market- ing and communications manager. Therefore, Wärtsilä has proudly joined forces with Ambitious.Africa, an initiative working to con- nect the youth of African and Nordic countries, to foster upcoming talent and co-create a more equal and sustainable future. Through this asso- ciation, Wärtsilä can actively connect students, en- trepreneurs, start-ups, financiers and other stake- holders from across two continents and provide them with the knowledge, skills and training they need to bring about real and lasting change. As another example, Wärtsilä provides local in- stitutions in Senegal with hands-on training and support for talented students often struggling to find their place in working life, as part of its cor- porate social responsibility efforts. Another recent contribution was made in support of solar energy unit installations in informal settlements in the Western Cape. The households in these settle- ments are either connected to an illegal and un- safe electricity source or have no access to basic electricity. As recent contracts such as the 120 MW power plant project in Gabon, the 90 MW gas conversion project in Senegal, and renewed O&M contracts in Nigeria demonstrate, Wärtsilä is committed to ac- celerate broad-based electrification across Africa.

than 600 installations, supplied power plants in 46 countries, generating 25% of the national elec- tricity supply in over 25 countries. Total installed capacity now exceeds 7,4 GW of which one-third is covered by operation and maintenance con- tracts. This strong track record has its roots in a dedicated local presence combined with the ca- pability to bring together international expertise to build ground-breaking energy solutions. Industry firsts in Africa With more than 650 employees and service hubs located in Kenya, South Africa, and Senegal, Wärt- silä is proud to have contributed to many industry firsts. These include Africa’s largest gas engine power plant on the Kribi coast of Cameroon with 216 MW capacity, as well as Africa’s highest in- stallation, the 175 MW power plant in Sasolburg, South Africa, sitting at 1700 m above sea level. Another first, the KivuWatt power plant in Rwan- da, is the first ever power plant to use the natu- rally occurring methane from lake Kivu to gener- ate electricity and reduce the environmental risks associated with such high concentrations of gas. Today’s power output is 25 MW but future planned expansions to this project will increase capacity by an additional 75 MW. Flexibility for every African energy need The company’s reciprocating gas engine technol- ogy and innovative energy management systems play an important role in response to Africa’s growing demand for flexible and reliable electric- ity. Small to medium size projects can be used to establish microgrids in remote regions. Their flexibility means that they can work hand in hand with renewable energy resources. Output can be ramped up at the same rate as wind or solar out- put fluctuates. One example is the 15 MWp hybrid engine-solar PV power plant for the Essakane gold mine in Burkina Faso: the combination of low-cost renewables with flexible engine solutions enables energy intensive industries to enter an era of more

Osmotic Engineering Group (OEG) CEO Dr. Frank Igboamalu.

infrastructure development with the option to provide any project funding that is required,” explains Khoza. OEG provides innovative solutions to national and provincial government departments, together with their utilities and based on their mandates, as well as local and district municipalities and their own special- ised service delivery entities. On a broader industry front, OEG is also involved in the mining and manu- facturing sectors, where its water and energy delivery units offer innovative solutions. Another niche area is telecommunications and network providers who are currently responding to the advent of high-speed 5G networks and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. “We are expanding in Africa and currently have strategic partnerships in several countries in order to assist us in addressing the lack of basic infrastructure in particular. Together with our funding and strategic partners, we are able to improve infrastructure ser- vice delivery,” highlights Khoza. “It is an exciting ap- proach to engineering advisory and consulting, and one that is not traditionally adopted by the industry. We do believe that this will prove to be a key differen- tiator for us in the market,” stresses Khoza. However, OEG also collaborates with key players in the field, as well as with research institutions. “Part- nerships are crucial to us, as we often find that the work undertaken by the industry is complementary, which means there is room for such collaboration.” To this end, OEG plans a special business launch event for both clients and partners in early November, where the management team will outline the firm’s business case and unique approach.

Enquiries: www.wartsila.com/energy

Enquiries: www.oegplc.com

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

FEBRUARY 2022