Page 23 - Energize September 2021 HR

NEWS

Keeping Africa’s largest distribution facilities ‘switched on’

Information from Eaton E MV switchgear made the most run upwards of 25 percent of the
sense economically, “both in terms original cost of the equipment thus
inding both energy and cost-efficient of up-front costs and total cost adding immensely to the total cost
solutions to the operational challenges of ownership – and made a huge of ownership (TCO). To add to the
Fthat the warehousing and distribution difference that had a major impact on problem, SF 6 is 23 500 times more
sector currently faces across Africa is a high project and future cost.” potent than carbon dioxide (CO 2)
priority, particularly for the continent’s “Eaton’s vacuum interrupters are and tops the list of the most harmful
retail giants. maintenance free and are certified up greenhouse gases, remaining in the
South Africa’s national utility has been to 30 000 operation cycles. The Xiria E atmosphere for 3200 years with a
under immense strain in recent years, with MV switchgear also offers a lower total global warming potential (GWP) of
ongoing load shedding causing continuous cost of ownership in comparison to SF 6 around 22 800.
outages across the country. Alternative contained switchgear. Xiria systems, “Solutions like these can and should
power management solutions have become materials and components are also all define the future of warehousing
crucial, particularly for large retailers that recyclable at end of life. and distribution across sectors,” says
need to ensure optimum shelf life for As sustainability continues to Eaton’s Buckner. “Ongoing support is
perishable goods in cold storage. become an increasingly important also vital for interventions like these
Having recently opened its 123 000 m 2 issue in the electric power industry, to be successful. That’s why Eaton
Whitey Basson Distribution Park in the the move to SF 6-free switchgear is will be providing the Shoprite Group
Western Cape, Shoprite – Africa’s largest food an imperative step towards lowering with ongoing technical support, which
retailer – had to find the right switchgear greenhouse gas emissions, and the includes emergency intervention,
solution for its most technologically advanced retail sector also has a role to play in maintenance, and life-extension
distribution centre, consisting of three reducing environmental impact.” services, as this will continue to ensure
warehouses, one of which is completely The electricity industry uses the system design is a sustainable
devoted to cold storage. approximately 80% of all sulphur solution for the Group.”
“At the time the facility was designed, hexafluoride (SF 6) produced in the
load shedding was causing an average world, while end-of-life disposal of For more information, please visit
of two power outages a day in the Cape SF 6 switchgear in South Africa can http://www.eaton.co.za
Town area and at this rate, conventional
switchgear that generally lasts between
2000 and 3000 operations would need
to be replaced every three to four
years. Shoprite would have incurred
additional maintenance costs due to the
unplanned outages. The installed Eaton
Xiria E switchgear offering the user more
operations, has helped to alleviate this, says
Marcel Buckner, ESS Business Development
Manager for Eaton Africa.
Working with global power
management solution company, Eaton,
engineering professional services consulting
firm, WSP Africa, developed a medium
voltage (MV) power distribution system
using Eaton’s innovative Xiria E extendible-
type switchgear.
This would provide a 10 000-operation
switchgear solution, also allowing for a
more flexible power distribution system
with a broad range of protection and
control options, and the possibility for
future extensions of the secondary
switchgear system.
Saverio Talotti, Regional Director at
WSP Africa explains that Eaton’s Xiria

energize | September 2021 | 21