Page 21 - Energize February 2021
P. 21

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


                                                 energize | February 2021 | 19
   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26