MechChem Africa June 2017

June 2017

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MechChem Africa

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Sustainable energy and energy management

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eter Investments has acquired an

ASCO Froment load bank, which

will be used for load testing, to

ensure reliability of generator sets

and standby power systems. This systemwill

be trailer-mounted and used at various sites

around the country, including government

infrastructure, telecommunications, mining

and game lodges.

ASCO load banks, which are designed to

replicate working load conditions, provide

electrical loads for testing power sources

– including generators and uninterruptible

power supplies (UPS).

“A well-planned, preventative mainte-

nance programme, that includes load testing

of a generator set, is vital to reliable opera-

tion and extended service life of the standby

power system,” saysRyanRobertson, director,

Vert Energy. “Loadbanks offer efficient power

test solutions and also reduce the harmful

effects of ‘wet stacking’ and glazing problems

caused by under-loading of the generator.

“Wet stacking – the primary cause of

failure of diesel engines in backup generat-

ing systems – occurs when unburned fuel

accumulates in the combustion chamber,

reducing engine ratings and affecting perfor-

mance. Load banks used as part of proactive

maintenance, improve efficiency of the diesel

engine and significantly increase service life.”

This combined ASCO Froment load bank

Vert Energy has supplied an ASCO Froment load bank to Peter

Investments Botswana, From left: Peter Kgosimoloi, Peter Investments

Botswana; and Vert Energy’s managing director, Grant Robertson.

Vert Energy, distributors of ASCO power switching and control

components in Southern Africa, has supplied its first load bank

system into Botswana.

Load bank system

supplied into Botswana

(resistive/inductive)

with Sigma load control

and instrumentation

hardware, allows fully

variable power factor

loading and can test gen-

erators up to 800 kVA at

80% load.

Resistive elements

and inductors of ASCO

load banks are connect-

ed to the supply on test

by electromechanical

contactors fitted inter-

nally within the load

bank. The easy to oper-

ate Sigma system en-

sures flexibility in automatic load control and

provides cost-effective solutions to power

testing requirements, which often require

high level instrumentation, data capture and

verification.

Vert Energy’s ASCO range also encom-

passes transfer switches and controls, aswell

as Avtron load banks. Other electric power

generation (EPG) components include Leroy

Somer alternators, API Covrad radiators and

customised control panels.

Also in the range are NSM single and

three-phasetwo-polealternatorsforportable

power, as well as ac and dc two-pole welders

and permanent magnet generators (PMG).

AllightSykesMSGEN2 lighting towers, which

offer over 50 000 hours of light per unit, are

also available.

A critical part of Vert Energy’s solutions

service is to meet growing demand from

generatorsetbuildersandelectro-mechanical

power transmission industries, to ensure

there is no interruption in power supply as a

result of load shedding or mains failure.

Through an extensive range of quality

branded EPG products and a highly skilled

teamof factory andOEMtrained technicians,

the company plays a major role in providing

dependable power to companies, even in

Africa’s most remote regions.

Energy Partners has acquired refurbished packaged steam boiler suppliers,

Dryden Combustion. From left to right: Jonathan Probert, Jean Le Roux, Sue

Kiley, Gordon Slater.

Probert adds that the deal also provides a strong foundation for

developing new products and services to better cater to the diverse

requirements of the market.

“The acquisition enables Energy Partners to extend its reach,

bringing substantial value-added benefits to more customers with

world class boiler repair and refurbishment capabilities, as well as

an array of high-efficiency steam controls and energy optimisation

systems,” he says.

Probert notes that the acquisition opens up a host of opportunities

in an industry with considerable scope for outsourcing services at

present. “We estimate that less than10%of steamusers inourmarket,

encompassing industrial, commercial and service organisations, have

adopted outsourcing solutions to date.”

“Steam users who convert to outsourcing as provided by Energy

Partners stand to gain higher production efficiencies – regardless

of how sophisticated their existing boiler plant is – compared with

systems being operated in-house,” he says.

“In recent years, Energy Partners has been gathering momentum

in its ongoing drive towards changing the traditional pattern of steam

production management. The accumulation of sites, where we can

demonstrate the success of the concept to potential new customers,

has helped us in this regard.”

“By showcasing our successes to potential customers, including

allowing them the opportunity to confirm directly with our exist-

ing customers that outsourcing is effective and yields significant

benefits, we provide the motivation needed to make the switch,”

Probert concludes.