The units, which are supplied on several trailers, are available from a number of suppliers. Units are transported to site and the trailers coupled together on site to provide a fully functional and complete power station within the space of a few months from signing of contract. Installation on site is claimed to be as […]
The insulating properties of power cables deteriorate with time and, at some stage of life, the cable will be unable to meet performance requirements, and suffer repeated failures. End of life (EOL) will vary with the cable type, the installation and conditions under which the cable is operated, and will vary from installation to installation. […]
Substations and distribution boards in both the utility and industry sector are under increasing pressure to reduce space usage and cost, while maintaining safety and integrity. Switchgear is the main space occupant, and efforts at space reduction are focused on reducing both the volume and footprint occupied. Solid insulation switchgear offers reduced space and […]
The world’s first Generation 3+ nuclear power plant was recently taken into service in the Novovoronezh power station, some 500 km south of Moscow. This nuclear power plant (NPP) features some advanced features relating to safety, efficiency and cost reduction. Generation 3+ reactors are a development of the well-established Generation 3 reactor series. The […]
Storage is becoming one of the most important components of power generation, transmission and distribution, and consumption management. Efficient and cost effective storage is the next hurdle that needs to be overcome in the move to a higher penetration of renewable energy in the grid. EE Publishers will be hosting a dedicated conference and […]
Although Eskom has kept the promise of no more rolling black-outs, we are still experiencing random isolated area failures due to failures of the distribution network. The focus on managing electricity during rolling blackouts has diverted attention away from the problems with distribution, and now that there is plenty of power available, the problem […]
A recent tweet that drew attention to the fact that the problem of recycling old solar panels had been solved led me to delve into the subject of recycling renewable energy bits and pieces when they reach end of life. The process is well established and there is no real problem as to how to […]
A recent visit to Moscow as part of as media delegation caused me to change my mind about the city and reminded me how easily we allow preconceived ideas to become entrenched in our thinking. Based on impressions drawn from numerous spy novels that abounded in the cold war era, I envisioned Moscow to […]
Both IT server installations and telecom sites are becoming increasingly power hungry, and the quest for greater efficiency is driving a move away from the classic AC UPS and 48 V DC configurations to systems which offer fewer losses and reduce the amount of equipment to be installed. Systems based on 400 V DC […]
Pumped-storage (PWS) hydroelectricity systems are to be found throughout the world, but mainly on a large scale. The demand for storage associated with distributed renewable energy (RE) systems, particularly wind and solar power, has opened up the market for a new generation of PWS facilities can be built on a much smaller scale, while being […]
