State-owned utility Eskom has assured the country that the tripping of Unit 6 at the Kriel power station, in Mpumalanga, on November 3, would not impact the current generation capacity or lead to loadshedding. The unit tripped following the loss of hydraulic oil to the turbine valves. A preliminary investigation revealed that an oil pipe had broken, causing an oil spill on the hot surfaces of the turbine, which triggered a fire.
The Independent Power Producer (IPP) Office has confirmed that it will oppose a legal attempt by two renewables consortia to prevent the payout of preferred-bidder guarantees called after their projects failed to advance to commercial close. Both consortia – Engie-Pele Sannapos Solar PV Consortium and Globeleq-Mainstream SA Renewables Power – were selected as preferred bidders during Bid Window 5 (BW5) of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, launched in 2021.
Through its Smart Farming initiative, power transmission and motion control products distributor BMG offers solutions that are aimed at conserving power, enhancing operational efficiency and minimising downtime through effective maintenance strategies. As farming operations face increasing pressures from rising electricity and water costs, as well as power supply constraints, the initiative, also referred to as the ‘Boer Slim’ initiative, focuses on sustainable practices that improve crop production output while addressing broader concerns such as labour, capital investment and resource management.
Multinational technology company ABB’s YuMi collaborative robot is playing a transformative role by contributing to both operational efficiency and environmental responsibility, making it an essential tool in modern manufacturing and beyond, says ABB robotics local division manager Julian Pillay. He explains that the YuMi robots are optimised to reduce energy consumption through precise motion control and programming, minimising unnecessary movements during operations.
Multinational technology company ABB’s Terra DC Fast Charger is positioned as a solution that advances both energy efficiency and sustainability in the electric vehicle (EV) charging industry, ABB product marketing specialist for smart power Veron Maharaj says, adding that the charger leverages advanced technologies to optimise power use and support the broader transition to clean transportation. The Terra DC Fast Charger is specifically designed to be highly efficient compared to conventional charging systems. Maharaj explains that the charger minimises energy losses during the charging process, ensuring that more of the electricity drawn from the grid is used directly to charge vehicles, rather than being lost as heat.
Amid increasing concerns over rising electricity costs and a growing demand for sustainable energy, vertically integrated sustainable technology group Rubicon’s Apex SGS solar geyser system offers an innovative and smart approach to energy efficiency in water heating. Designed and manufactured locally, the system prioritises the use of solar energy, consequently reducing reliance on grid electricity and supporting South Africa’s transition towards greener energy solutions, Apex national sales head Ruan Smith tells Engineering News.
No one entity has the resources, funding or execution capability to address South Africa’s multitrillion-rand energy investment needs, a new PWC report argues, while calling for collaboration between the public and private sectors to address the challenge. The ‘Africa Energy Review 2024’ report follows government’s release of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, which highlighted the need to scale up private-sector participation in the delivery of public infrastructure, including energy infrastructure.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Thursday urged State power utility Eskom to withdraw its “futile and costly” legal dispute and support the transformation of South Africa’s energy sector. Eskom has approached the High Court to review the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa’s) decision to grant four trading licences in what it describes as its area of supply.
South Africa pledged to slash emissions across its fleet of coal-fired power plants in a bid to secure $2.6-billion in climate finance. That’s despite seeking to alter the terms of a 2022 agreement by delaying the outright closure of three of the facilities. The plan, which involves the reduction of emissions at a number of units at the 14 plants operated by the state utility Eskom, was submitted to the World Bank affiliated Climate Investment Funds on Wednesday, South Africa’s presidency said in a response to queries. The country has now said it will close the Grootvlei, Hendrina and Camden plants at a later stage after initially agreeing to begin shutting them down from as early as next year.
In another surprise move, Eskom has taken the seemingly regressive step of approaching the High Court for a review of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa’s) decision to grant four trading licenses in what it describes as its area of supply. In a statement released a day after the Energy Regulator, Nersa’s top decision-making structure, approved trading licences in favour of CBI Electric Apollo, Discovery Green, Green Electron Market and GreenCo Power Services, Eskom reiterated objections first raised during public hearings on July 18.
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