Author Archive for: Engineering News

Government has confirmed that the procurement allocation for Bid Window Six (BW6) of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) has been scaled back to 4 200 MW from the 5 200 MW announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on July 25. The National Energy Crisis Committee announced on Sunday that the decision to proceed with a 4 200 MW request for proposals (RFP) had been decided so as to ensure that the procurement process was not delayed, given that the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) still needed to concur with a Ministerial determination opening the way for the procurement of more solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity.

The City of Cape Town says the landfill gas well field and flaring system at its Vissershok Landfill will soon begin operation, complementing existing systems at the Coastal Park and Bellville landfills.  The city says it is also making steady progress toward the generation of electricity from landfill gas, as part of a dual effort to reduce emissions associated with landfill sites, and reduce reliance on Eskom.

With global growth expected to climb significantly in 2022, sensor, networking and control systems manufacturer IFM Electronics says the positive sentiment is evidenced in the “high level of interest” in the automation sector, especially as the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) continues to gain traction globally. In advancing this, IFM says it will be driving to get technology to everyone “with a clear focus on developing smart products for everyone”.

Local manufacturers and independent blenders of petroluem byproducts have to increase import expenses, owing to the shutdown of oil refineries, says lubricants manufacturer Oilflow director Enoch Qua-Enoo. “The closure of oil refineries has resulted in a detrimental position for companies operating in the global market, owing to limited options to source base oil. Import rates are constantly increasing, which ignite the increase of commodity costs.”

While international blocs and countries have made headway in defining green hydrogen standards, certifications and regulations, there remain significant gaps in terms of the readiness of countries worldwide to develop a global renewable hydrogen economy, panellists highlighted during a legal and policy framework session at the 2022 Hydrogen Economy Discussion earlier this week. Standards are critically important to develop a global renewable green hydrogen economy, and international energy standards are necessary to harmonise systems, develop frameworks to comply with laws and technical standards and promote interoperability and the safety of citizens, said delegation of the European Union to South Africa trade policy officer Darryn Allan.