Electricity + Control August 2016

TRANSFORMERS + SUBSTATIONS

ROUND UP

Converter transformers for solar power solutions

South Africa is fast becoming one of the key producers of renew- able energy. This was recently realised with the introduction of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) by the South African government.The first three rounds of bidding amounts to 3 916 MW of renewable energy that will feed into the national grid. Facing ever-increasing worldwide energy demand, the reliable and environmentally friendly use of natural energy sources is one of the biggest challenges of our time. Alongside wind and water, the sun – clean, CO 2 -neutral and limitless – is our most valuable resource to generate renewable energy in South Africa. Transformers are critical components in solar energy production and distribution. Solar-power systems have special design issues. The key to solar transformers is to understand and cater for all the variables in every system.

Reliable Transformers recently participated in the construction of an 86 MW Solar plant in Prieska in the Northern Cape. The scope was to supply all the converter step-up transformers (42 units) in the plant. The Solar plant connects to the Eskom grid, supplying enough power for 20 000 homes. More than 270 000 individual solar panels, spanning an area larger than 200 sports fields make this installation one of the largest in Africa. ReliableTransformers' custom design successfully passed lightning impulse and tempera- ture rise type tests. The actual manufacturing process took less than four months and the goods were delivered on-time and within budget. Due to the fact that most transformer parts are produced in-house at the factory in Benoni, the company was able to achieve local content quotient of more than 85%. “Thanks to our sophisticated and advanced production plan- ning and management software we were able to give our client regular project progress and human resource utilisation updates throughout the duration of the project,” said Chief Executive Of- ficer Andre van Zyl. He added, “As a result of this project, ReliableTransformers has gained extensive experience in the design and manufacture of solar PV transformer technology and we are now able to offer far more efficient and economical solutions than ever before. Reli- able Transformers is fast becoming a key innovator and supplier in this expanding market and is proud to offer transformers that are specifically designed for Solar Photovoltaic medium-voltage applications. We are working to evolve the industry and change the way we distribute power”. Enquiries: Andre van Zyl, CEO. Tel. +27 (0) 11 421 2333 or email andre@reltrans.co.za

Belt rip and tear detection for conveyors Conveyor belts are used where materials need to be transported from A to B, e.g. in mining, cement, sand and gravel industries. A conveyor belt may get damaged by sharp-edged stones/ materials or become worn out during operation. Such damage must be detected and the conveyor belt deactivated. The new belt rip and tear detection system from ifm electronic is used to reliably detect belt damage. Enquiries:Tel: +27 12 450 0400 or email info.za@ifm.com

Switchgear for fly ash plant JB Switchgear was recently awarded a contract by Rula Bulk for the design, manufacture and supply of a new containerised switchgear substation to replace the old motor control centre at the Fly Ash processing plant at Matla, near Kriel in Mpumalanga.With four state-of-the-art classifiers, Matla has an annual capacity in excess of 800 000 tons of DuraPozz Pro. JB Switchgear supplied their well-known Eagle series motor control centre and PLC panel, fitted into a specially modified marine container. Enquiries: Johan Basson.Tel. +27 (0) 11 027 5804 or email info@jbswitchgear.co.za or visit www.jbswitchgear.co.za

Electricity+Control August ‘16

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