by M du Preez and WJD van Schalkwyk, Eskom Unplanned outages often occur as a result of transformers, drop-out fuses and surge arresters which fail during lightning storms. MV drop-out fuses with upstream feeder protection need to be properly graded to ensure correct protection during both lightning and power frequency faults. Download the PDF
Recent media reports about Eskom’s plans to reduce its generating capacity to comply with the requirements of the minimum emission standards (MES) of the air quality act have caused concern about an already strained generation fleet. This article looks at some of the issues raised about the efficacy of compliance with new standards. Download the […]
De Aar Solar Power is exporting power into the De Aar Municipality’s power grid. In the event of a power outage due to scheduled maintenance by Eskom, or perhaps a fault on the line, the company will be able to supply power to the town and surroundings areas. During the commissioning process, the inverters […]
Malusi Gigaba, the minister of public enterprises, has noted the resignation of Eskom’s group chief executive Brian Dames whose last day of service is 31 March 2014. The minister has directed the board to expedite the recruitment process to find a suitable successor to ensure a smooth transition. Dames led Eskom when the company […]
The circumstances that resulted in Eskom declaring a system emergency on 20 November 2013 continue to cause the system to be severely constrained. Although the company continues to assure the public that it has sufficient generating capacity, it is well known that the utility regularly relies on its open cycle gas turbines to meet […]
Andrew Etzinger, spokesperson for 49M, said that the organisation commends the winners for their innovation and commitment to energy efficiency, and that the quality of entries indicated that South Africans were heeding the call to reduce their energy consumption. This year’s submissions ranged from an innovative smokeless stove, designed for use by those without […]
by Chris Yelland, investigative editor, EE Publishers On 5 December 2013, Eskom announced the resignation of its CEO, Brian Dames, three years after he assumed the position following the controversial axing of the previous CEO, Jacob Maroga, who also held the position for only three years. Whatever the reasons for their early departures, clearly […]
Sir Ever since the resignation of Eskom CEO Brian Dames was announced, the country has been abuzz with all manner of concerns. Most prominent amongst these relate either to jumping or pushing, or wondering about timing. Also questions about achievements past and present, of course, legacy and, lest we forget, the size of the […]
by John Whybrow This article examines the generation and distribution of electricity in this present volatile environment, and proposes that Eskom should be unbundled, as was recommended in 2010 by a former CEO, into two separate entities which together comprise the utility’s core business. There is good reason for separating generation from distribution, and in […]
by Jac Messerschmidt, Pr. Eng. “In times of need, vision separates real leaders from the rest” – Anonymous The slogan “electricity for all” was first used in 1988, and in the same year the first electrification joint venture was created in the Eastern Cape. Over the next twenty-five years, this initiative grew to bring […]
