Electricity + Control January 2015

ENERGY + ENVIROFICIENCY: AFRICA

ROUND UP

Pyrolysis technology is making headway in South Africa Gauteng based Milvinetix is one of South Africa’s first fully functional pyrolysis plants. Working closely with the Recycling and Economic De- velopment Initiative of South Africa (REDISA), over the last year and a half Milvinetix has received an infrastructure development grant of R310 per tonne of waste tyre – delivered at no charge by REDISA registered transporters. This grant has been used by the company to develop existing infrastruc- ture and purchase new equipment so that the business can expand, and ultimately take more waste tyres. Pieter Buckle, managing director of Milvinetix said: “The infrastructure development grant paid by REDISA is a solid and reliable source of income. This has allowed us to focus on developing our core business and is an essential part of our company’s ability regarding our planning strategies - particularly to potential future growth”. At this processor, tyres are transformed into smaller and simpler compounds.These compounds can then be turned into various products including carbon char, oil, and may also be used to generate electricity. Currently Milvinetix supplies its products to an organisation that further purifies the oil and sells it into the market. In addition, carbon char is sup- plied to interested parties who in turn re-process and refine the product which again is sold off to the market. “Despite initial start-up challenges, we at Milvinetix continue to look for solutions in terms of creating synthetic fuels. This is not only leading to job creation opportunities, but also a cleaner South Africa,” said Buckle. All processors involved in the REDISA Plan are required tomeet stringent criteria, and are subject to a vetting process. “We applaud the work that Milvinetix has done to date. The company is certainly proving that pyrolysis is an upcoming industry for the South African market and is showing huge potential. Setting up a pyrolysis plant is an incredibly technical and expensive exercise, but companies like Mil- vinetix are going a long way towards assisting REDISA in setting up the new tyre recycling industry,” said Stacey Davidson, director at REDISA. Enquiries: Email info@redisa.org.za

EnviroFicient head office Dr Musa Gumede, deputy city manager: Community and Emergency Services, officially opened Magnet’s environmentally-friendly head office in Riverhorse Valley, Durban. “Special care has been given to every aspect of power usage in the building, to ensure minimum electricity consumption,” says Brian Howarth, manag- ing director, Magnet . The new premises utilise energy efficient LED lighting technology; occupancy sensors for the control of lighting and heat pumps which reduce con- ventional water heating costs. A 60 kVA solar array has been grid tied to eThekwini Electricity and photovoltaic (PV) modules, which convert solar energy to electricity, have also been installed. Enquiries: Brian Howarth. Email brianh@magnetgroup.co.za Solar powered PC lab Africa’s first commercially available Solar powered PC lab built within a shipping container, will improve ac- cess to information and communication technologies (ICT) in non-affluent, rural and remote communities; a challenge that has been contributing to economic and social inequality in South Africa. 715 Learners at Umhloti Primary School in Verulam, KwaZulu Natal will benefit from the ongoing power of the sun when product de- veloper, giveITback, in partnership with Poynting and African Union Communications, will donate the first of its Solar Powered Computer Labs valued at R450 000 RRP, on 05 December 2014. The digital divide, where less fortunate learners do not have access to, use of, or knowledge of ICT, has a major impact on economic and social inequality in South Africa. Enquiries:Tel. 011 826 5959 or email info@giveitback.co.za Nordex, multi-megawatt wind turbine manufacturers supports the local wind power sector through job crea- tion and continuous supply of cutting edge technology, employs 40 people at their three wind farm sites in the Eastern Cape and their Cape Town offices. Anne Hen- schel, managing director of Nordex Energy South Africa , spoke at WINDABA 2014, the 4th annual wind industry conference, hosted in November by the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA). Henschel formed part of a keynote session where industry leaders engaged multilaterally with the Department of Trade and Industry on South Africa’s wind energy. Enquiries: Email ahenschel@nordex-online.com ‘Gusty’ support for local wind power

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January ‘15 Electricity+Control

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