Page 21 - Energize February 2021
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NEWS
Integrated solutions address
energy security
ncreasing electricity tariffs and ongoing load shedding has resulted in a lot of interest from
privatesector clients to guarantee their energy security independent of electricity utility
IEskom, according to newly appointed Zutari Energy Unit Leader, Janice Foster. Coupled with the
global move towards green energy, much of this interest is in renewable energy. An example of this
trend is the recent announcement by Stellenbosch of an investigation into adopting alternate
energy sources to mitigate the impact of load shedding in the city.
Foster highlights that the national procurement of new generation, especially as emergency or
backup power, was reinitiated by a Request for Proposals issued by the Department of Mineral
Resources and Energy to procure 2000 MW under the Risk Mitigation Independent Power
Producers Procurement (RMIPPP) Programme by June 2022.
Zutari’s preeminence in the energy space as a cocreator of integrated solutions is indicated by
the fact that it has been involved in 50% of the submitted RMIPPP project bids, reveals Foster, who
was appointed to the role of Energy Unit Leader in November 2020. A direct response to the short to present all of these solutions to our clients
term electricity supply gap identified in the Integrated Resource Plan of 2019, the RMIPPP aims to in that space,” points out Foster.
alleviate the current electricity supply constraints facing South Africa. In terms of challenges, Foster highlights
Similar to the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, that technological change tends to outpace
Foster points out that it is the first programme of its kind to be technology agnostic. This means policy or legislation. “At the moment that is
that hybrid plants are an option, and may comprise multiple technologies such as gas, renewables, probably one of the biggest limiting factors to
and battery energy storage. opening up the energy market. If you look at
“Our client base extends from publicsector clients on a municipal and provincial level to the sheer pace of change, energystorage
privatesector clients such as project lenders and investors, owners and developers,” explains battery systems were considered financially
Foster. As a multidisciplinary engineering firm, Zutari has delivery units providing services across unviable not even two years ago; now almost
energy, water, infrastructure, transport, resources, and manufacturing and advisory. every new generation project looks to
The energy unit comprises four teams, namely generation, transmission and distribution, consider this. Meanwhile, hydrogen is being
industrial power and automation and systems studies and network planning. Hence the team provides flagged as the next big thing in energy.”
services across the full spectrum of energy projects from small scale individual projects to regional With a background in both nuclear and
level modelling. The industrial team focuses on design delivery of electrical power and automation wind energy, Foster stresses that her remit as
systems in the energy, mining, oil and gas, water, wastewater, and renewable energy industries. the Energy Unit Lead is to position it to
“One of our major competitive advantages in the energy space is that we are a onestop shop. capitalise on the growth opportunities on the
Working closely with Zutari’s other delivery units, we can do everything from providing continent over the next couple of years. “The
environmental assessments to detailed geotechnical investigations and structural design and of current global interest in energy and energy
course all of the detail in terms of the electrical engineering,” explains Foster. “We are one of the security in particular keeps things interesting.
best energy teams on the continent, encompassing endtoend services and some highly What I really love about the sector is that every
experienced individuals.” client and project is unique and presents their
Another advantage for Zutari is that its expertise largely resides in South Africa, providing own unique challenges. It definitely keeps all of
quicker and easier access to its clients’ challenges. With the company focusing on engineered us on our toes,” concludes Foster. n
solutions mainly in SubSaharan and Eastern Africa, it is very active in the energy space in the
region. The energy unit works closely with other Zutari teams to deliver integrated solutions. “We Contact Rashree Maharaj,
have developed a number of innovative digital tools around solar photovoltaic design automation Tel 012 427-2000,
and performancemonitoring tools. We also have an inhouse 3D visualisation team that allows us rashree.maharaj@zutari.com
Viscosity-compensated plastic limits are 16 bar and 120°C
respectively. The unit is made from
flowmeter and switch for liquids polysulfone material and accepts G1/2,
and G3/4 soldering connections of 18
mm and 22 mm via a G1, 1” NPT PVC
gluein connection.
obold’s VKP plastic flowmeters operate on a special suspended float principle Suitable applications include
with cylindrical measuring tube and springloaded float with orifice. The float lubricant circuits, domestic electrical
Kin model VKP3 has slots mounded onto the outside, which protect the installations, machine tools, solar
instrument from soiling by “capturing” dirt particles. The danger of the float jamming energy systems, cooling circuits,
is thus considerably reduced and soiled liquids with a particle size up to 400 μm can welding machines, and pumps. n
be measured without difficulty. In model VKP2, the sharpedged orifice in the float
renders the instrument less sensitive to changes in viscosity. Contact Instrotech,
The devices’ measuring range extends from 220 to 20100 l/min water, and 118 Tel 010 595-1831,
to 1075 l/min oil and is accurate to ±5%. Its maximum pressure and temperature sales@instrotech.co.za
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