Electricity + Control May 2015

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STANDBY + BACK-UP ROUND UP
World’s first high-voltage equipment designed to use g3 - SF6-free gas
At the 2015 Hanover Fair, Alstom presented two first high-voltage
applications using g3 (green gas for grid), a gas mixture that can
replace SF6 for high voltage air-insulated
(AIS) or gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) ap-
plications. SF6 is a potent greenhouse gas
commonly used as an electrical insulator.
In August 2014, Alstom became the first
company in the world to offer the electrical
industry a technically and economically vi-
able alternative to SF6.The first application
is a pilot project for a 420 kV g3-insulated
busbar (a gas-insulated busbar is essen-
tially a concentric systemof cylindrical en-
closures and conductors, insulated with a
pressurised gas). Alstom has been award-
ed a contract by the United Kingdom’s
National Grid ElectricityTransmission PLC
to trial, as part of an innovation project, a 420 kV g3-insulated busbar
for use at temperatures as low as -25 °C. The 300 meter-long line
will be located in Sellindge, in the South East of United Kingdom
and will be commissioned by mid of 2016. National Grid is strongly
committed tomanaging its environmental impact, actively support-
ing initiatives to reduce SF6. By choosing this promising technol-
ogy as part of its planned network re-enforcement, National Grid
demonstrates its investment and efforts towards greener solutions
for the grid.The second application is a 245 kV current transformer
type SKF using g3.This high voltage equipment for outdoor applica-
tions, displayed at Hanover Fair, uses g3 as insulationmedium, with
the capability of reaching temperatures as low as -30°C.The current
transformer protects substations by providing accurate and reliable
current measurements used for metering. These first applications
are precursors to future developments towards larger ranges of g3
insulated high voltage products.
Enquiries: Aline Besselievre. Email
Latest generator set technology available in Africa
Industrial operations across Africa can
lower their fuel costs and minimise their
impact on the environment with the new
range of high-horsepower QSK95 Series
generator sets launched locally by the Af-
rican division of Cummins – a global leader
in the manufacture, sales and servicing of
diesel engines and related technology.The
QSK95 generator sets are Cummins Power
Generation’s most powerful diesel genera-
tor sets to date, offering up to 3,5 MW60 Hz
and 3,75 MVA 50 Hz. They are engineered
with the highest kilowatt per square foot
ratio in their class, resulting in a smaller
footprint that achieves a 20 % improvement
in power density. The durable and robust
QSK95 Series generator sets are ideally
suited for mining, oil and gas, or any pro-
ject where harsh conditions, challenging
environments and the demand for reliable,
continuous remote power exist.The QSK95
Series generator sets are also engineered
to deliver reliable, mission critical power
protection without interruption — an up-
time requirement shared by data centres,
hospitals, water and wastewater treatment
plants, and utilities. Cummins Southern
Africa Power Generation Director Kobus
Coetzer points out that the new generator
sets boast more power and best-in-class
fuel economy. “Over the course of 8 000
hours of operation, the QSK95 can achieve
fuel savings of more than US$ 400 000
(R4 M+). The QSK95 Series is designed
to lower the total cost of ownership by
reducing installation expenses, fuel costs
and maintenance requirements — all while
maintaining Cummins’ high standards of
reliability.”
Enquiries: Kobus Coetzer.Tel. 011 321 8700
or email
Standing by − new diesel-driven generator ranges
Renttech SouthAfrica launched two new ranges of diesel-driven gen-
erators, and has plans for introducing gas-driven generators early in
2015.The new ranges of diesel-driven generators include a heavy-du-
ty range covering 10 to 30 kVA in both single and three phase sound-
attenuated models, and an extra heavy-duty ‘rental spec’ series for
extreme conditions.“The smaller units are popular for domestic and
small business use, whereas our standard units are popular with
larger businesses and site use. The ‘Rental spec’ units are aimed
at heavy-duty on-
site applications,”
explains Martiens
Opperman, Rent-
tech South Af-
rica’s operations
manager. Opper-
man emphasises
that the company
is constantly striv-
ing to improve the quality and efficiency of its products, many of
which are sourced internationally, with the overall aim of supplying
top-quality, versatile products at affordable prices. “The 10 – 30 kVA
range is small and compact, 1 500 rpm, sound-attenuated and fit-
ted with a Kubota/Newage Stamford power pack and offered at
extremely competitive prices.The heavy-duty ‘Rental spec’ units can
be double-stacked, painted to marine container specifications and
come with a standard five year rust proof warranty. These can be
supplied as duel frequency units (50/60 Hz).These units are fittedwith
either Perkins/Newage Stamford or Cummins/Newage Stamford
power packs and handle ambient temperatures of up to 50 °C.The
units 800 kVA and above are fitted in converted soundproof marine
containers which are ideal for site use,” says Opperman.The two new
generator ranges form part of Renttech’s existing range of power
generation equipment which is used across a number of industries
in SouthAfrica andAfrica, including the mining, construction, ship-
building and petrochemical industries..
. 010 003 7400.Visit
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