Electricity + Control September 2017

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Did any of us ever imagine a situation
where decisions seem to be stifled
by the pall of angst – hanging over almost
every facet of our lives? Paralysis seems
to have set in.
A colleague said, just the other day, that
the only thing that remains certain is the
sun will rise each morning. And so it is.
It also reminds us that energy must be
the highest priority for those of us still
able to think clearly.
And be aware – the fact that the sun rises
each morning over this beautiful country
really must provide us with a clue as to
what needs to be in the mix. Equally, we
need to consider the least-harmful way of
providing that base load – and there are a
few options.
One thing is certain… solar will be part of
that mix – it has to be. Coal will be with
us for a while – and continentally, nuclear
is inevitable.
However, no matter how we imagine this
future, the deployment of energy across
the African continent will be unique – sim-
ply because the place is so darned big! For-
get the scenario where base load is avail-
able to feed each user. It will not happen.
So the mix and blend of systems and
sources is fertile ground for innovation.
That the sun is there to serve this conti-
nent is one aspect requiring, frankly, far
deeper thought. Imagine your industry
only running when the sun shines?
It will imply the need to consider what
type of industry can exist, where, and
how we mix and match.
Imagine rethinking the way business runs
to be reliant on the sun? Of course it can
be done – but best we kick away that
box that restricts our thinking. Whereas
we tend to think of our various supplies
ending up hooked into some or other grid,
what that means is likely to change.
It also means that, frankly, we probably do
not yet know what ‘smart’ really is.
Watch this space.
As fast as we see so many things com-
promised by inaction based on a fear of
making decisions, I suspect that this area
of technology is one where we will be
making some big and smart decisions –
which is good, indeed.
Ian Jandrell
Pr Eng, BSc (Eng) GDE PhD,
FSAIEE SMIEEE
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FEATURES:
· Control systems+ automation
· Drives,motors+ switchgear
· Plantmaintenance, test+measurement
· Sensors, switches+ transducers
ECSEP2017 cover.indd 2 8/15/2017 3:18:24PM
www.electricityandcontrolmagazine.co.za
Wendy Izgorsek
Adél JvR Bothma
Helen Couvaras
Heidi Jandrell
Karen Smith
Karen Grant
Wilhelm du Plessis
Ian Jandrell
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Quarter 2 (Apr - Jun 2017)
Total print circulation: 4 703
The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of thepublisher, theeditor,SAAEs,SAEE,
CESA, IESSAor theCopperDevelopmentAssociationAfrica
The only thing that remains certain ...