Electricity + Control January 2016

44 / 52

ROUND UP
MakingVodacom’s network more resilient
Master PowerTechnologies (MPT) provided
Vodacom South Africa with two mobile
data centres to ensure the operator can
keep its communications network running
in the event of an unforeseen catastrophic
incident.The mobile units were designed to
fit on mobile trailers which can be deployed
to any Vodacom site in South Africa within
48 hours.
FredWeber, senior specialist, technology
projects at Vodacom says MPT was previ-
ously tasked with providing data centres
and power generation containers last year.
These solutions have been placed at sites
around the country to provide indefinite,
independent backup power to the communi-
cations giant.The mobile recovery solutions
are built on the same principle, but with the
proviso that they fully comply with the road
ordinances and statutes.
Each mobile data centre is fully self-
sufficient and contains power backup ca-
pabilities with on-board generators as well
as the required networking systems, fire
suppression, air conditioning and security
technology to ensure the units are safe in
almost any eventuality.The mobile units are
capable of operating independently of any
of the existing site’s power infrastructure
and utilities.
“The primary benefit of the mobile re-
covery solutions will be the assurance of
continuous network operation, regardless of
events and circumstances that may arise,”
explains Wouter Vermeulen, MPT Data
Centre Specialist.
Due to the space restrictions MPT had to
work with, Weber says there were a num-
ber of innovations in the design. Some
of these include the effective fitment of
the HVAC condensers in the rear doors,
the installation and safe placement of the
standby diesel power generator within in
the mobile facility, the use of Novec 1230
ozone friendly gas suppressant, and the ef-
fective fitment of power distribution panels
and equipment.This was complemented by
the installation of numerous secure network
cabinets in this confined space.
The project took eight months to com-
plete the design, construction and testing
of themobile centres at MPT’s headquarters
in Randburg.
Enquiries: Rory Reid.Tel. 011 792 7230 or
email
56 MW emergency power for Turkish hospitals
MTU Onsite Energy diesel gensets from Rolls-Royce will be ensuring in the future
56 MW standby power on the new health campuses of theTurkishMinistry of Health
in Mersin and Bilkent.Ten 16-cylinder Series 4000 diesel gensets and one 8-cylinder
Series 1600 unit are to be supplied to the DIA Holding construction company for
Mersin (located in the south of Turkey) this November. Fourteen 16-cylinder and
five 12-cylinder Series 4 000 units will be shipped to Bilkent (Ankara) in February
2016.The brand MTU Onsite Energy is part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems within
the Land and Sea division of Rolls-Royce. The Ministry of Health is planning to
invest in a total of 35 health campuses across the country by the end of 2018, all
of which are to be set up in public-private partnership projects. A power require-
ment of 20 – 30 MW diesel genset output has been calculated for each project.
DIA Holding is one of the construction companies involved in the scheme, which
won the order for the city hospitals in Mersin and Bilkent. “The health sector is a
priority inTurkey, as recent major investments have shown.The preference being
given to at this early stage demonstrates trust in this brand and is a good sign
for upcoming projects,” said Ekrem Kuraloglu, Managing Director of MTUTurkey.
Enquiries: Email
East Africa
Investment hotbed
EastAfrica is emerging as a hotbed for energy related
investments not only for its robust economic growth,
but also for its potential to become one of the largest
producers and exporters of oil and natural gas in
the world. Countries likeTanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia,
and Rwanda - which have traditionally depended on
biomass to meet most of their energy requirements
- are gradually shifting to modern energy sources to
meet the growing demands of the expanding urban
population and the rising per capita income levels.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, East Africa En-
ergy finds that East Africa will possess more than 50
000 MW of generation potential by 2030, dominated
by hydro, coal, wind, geothermal and natural gas
based generation systems.
More than 80%of the potential gas reserves in East
Africa are concentrated around Mozambique and
Tanzania. While LNG exports from these countries
are expected no earlier than 2020, rapid develop-
ment of gas power projects would provide a short
term response to growing electricity demand in the
region.The region will, therefore, provide immense
opportunities for companies specialising in oil and
natural gas exploration and production, power
generation and associated infrastructure, as well as
renewable energy technology commercialisation.
“Energy development is gaining priority as East Af-
rican economies look to attain middle income status
over the next decade,” said Frost & Sullivan Energy &
Environment Senior ResearchAnalyst Neeraj Sanjay
Mense. Investment from private sector is critical as
the East Africa energy reserves require substantial
funding in order to reach full potential, which cannot
be met by government subsidy alone.
Enquiries: Email
ENERGY + ENVIROFICIENCY: FOCUS ON STANDBY + BACK-UP
Electricity+Control January ‘16 42