Electricity + Control June 2017

32 / 52

High bandwidth connectivity
to remote locations
The Ruggedcom RX1400 router with MindConnect running in the
VPE1400 is a plug & play solution that enables users to easily and
reliably read out data with OPC UA and/or an S7-connection from their
assets and pre-process it for the transfer toMindSphere. Subsequently,
the encrypted data is transferred to MindSphere, where it is available
for processing and analysis. The compact, single device solution
provides the combined capabilities of data acquisition, conversion
and communication with MindSphere. End devices can connect via
serial, wireless LAN, optical or Ethernet connections.The connection
to MindSphere can be set up with redundant paths, either via LTE or
copper/fibre Ethernet and users benefit from the high bandwidth con-
nectivity to remote locations. Proven reliability and ability to function
in extreme temperatures from -40°C to +85°C and harsh environments
make the Ruggedcom RX1400 with MindConnect an ideal choice for
MindSphere data acquisition in industrial applications such as electric
power, transportation, and oil and gas.
The Ruggedcom RX1400 including VPE1400 is a compact cellular
router which combines Ethernet switching,Wireless LAN, routing, virtual
machine environment and firewall along with wide area connectivity
options such as LTE or Gigabit fiber optics. The Ruggedcom VPE1400
allows applications to run in a virtual environment which is safely parti-
tioned from the Ruggedcom ROX operating system and has full access
to the network, wireless LAN, serial and LTE interfaces on the RX1400.
The open cloud platform from Siemens, MindSphere is a powerful
IoT operating systemwith data analytics and connectivity capabilities,
tools for developers, applications, and services.
Enquiries: Keshin Govender. Email
EARTHING + LIGHTNING PROTECTIONCONTROL SYSTEMS + AUT MATIO ROUND UP
Beckhoff opens in Port Elizabeth
The newly-opened Beckhoff Automation Port Elizabeth office is in the
sales and technical hub of the Eastern Cape region. The established
Sales, Service andTechnical Support office includes an essentialTrain-
ing Centre for the projects and innovative industrial designs of Beckhoff
Automation’s partners.This office is a base fromwhere the company’s
‘NewAutomationTechnology’ real-
ises industrial automation dreams!
It is found in the Bloomingdales
Office Park, the corner of Main and
9th,Walmer, Port Elizabeth. Bradley
Garside is the Branch Manager.
Enquiries: Bradley Garside.
Tel. +27 (0) 82 854 2966
or email
Automating the biggest power plant
in the southern hemisphere
Kusile power station will be the world’s fourth largest coal-fired
power station when fully operational in 2020. For this massive
project ABB is supplying a comprehensive control system,
software, and instrumentation solution for all six of the stations
800 MW generating units.
Kusile will be the first power station in Africa to use wet flue
gas desulphurisation technology, as part of a new generation
of high-pressure, high-temperature power installations. The
automation system will ensure the most effective plant opera-
tions by improving awareness, response times with decision-
making, resulting in better availability and efficiency. ABB is
also responsible for the design, manufacture, commissioning
and testing of the Distributed Control System (DCS), the field
instrumentation and the advanced conditionmonitoring system
to check the equipment health and to provide failure diagnosis.
To ensure the success of this project, ABB has brought its
local engineering resources in South Africa, as well as global
engineering expertise, primarily from Italy and Germany.These
skills have been drawn together to create an international
projects team for Kusile.
ABB is a leader in providing automation and software for
advanced clean coal power plants, including supercritical
installations such as Kusile.
Kusile will make a huge impact on South Africa’s develop-
ment by generating electricity supply to 5 million people,
improve power system reliability and excess power exported
and sold to neighbouring countries. Kusile will also improve
the quality of life of local communities’ corporate social invest-
ment initiatives.
Enquiries: Shivani Chetram. Email
Bradley Garside, the
Beckhoff Automation PE
Branch Manager.
Electricity+Control June ‘17 30