https://www.miningweekly.com
Africa|Components|Eaton|Efficiency|Energy|Installation|Power|Renewable Energy|Solar|Storage|Sustainable|System|Systems|Technology|Products
Africa|Components|Eaton|Efficiency|Energy|Installation|Power|Renewable Energy|Solar|Storage|Sustainable|System|Systems|Technology|Products
africa|components|Eaton|efficiency|energy|installation|power|renewable-energy|solar|storage|sustainable|system|systems|technology|products

Systems assist with loadshedding woes

JACO DU PLOOY Du Plooy expects AI technology to be deployed on a larger scale by local businesses within the next two to three years

POWER UP Lithium-ion batteries can store power to consume at a later stage with the batteries being charged when not in use

4th November 2022

By: Sabrina Jardim

Creamer Media Online Writer

     

Font size: - +

The current energy crisis sweeping South Africa has increased the need for reserve power, whereby complete management systems can help manage different energy sources, says power management company Eaton Africa power quality product manager Jaco du Plooy.

He explains that, while solar power is being used by local businesses, solar energy is limited to certain times of day when sunlight is available, thereby increasing demand for energy storage among local businesses.

Hence, Eaton supplies energy efficient products, such as its uninterruptible power supply (UPS) as a reserve solution systems, or UPSaaR, to help drive down costs, improve data centre performance, support the grid and assist with energy storage.

“Our UPS systems enable customers to consume stored power or push power back to the grid if there is excess power available. You can also sell excess power back to the utility provider with the help of an energy hub or energy centre. Energy hubs can increase the efficiency of data centres and decrease operating costs,” says Du Plooy.

An energy hub is a combination of multiple, alternative energy sources coming together, enabling the end-user to consume energy as required. This includes energy supplied by a UPS system or alternative power sources.

Additionally, lithium-ion batteries can store power for use at a later stage, with the batteries being charged when not in use.

Consequently, end-users can harvest power as the technology used in lithium-ion batteries allows for their being charged and discharged more efficiently than lead-acid batteries.

Further, with a global emphasis on renewable energy, energy efficient data centres are becoming increasingly important for businesses in South Africa, considering the high operational costs owing to the high energy consumption and cooling of data centres, which, consequently, drives up costs.

With technology becoming more sustainable and efficient, Du Plooy expects technology to be deployed on a larger scale for local businesses within the next two to three years, with a particular emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) software technology.

AI software runs in the background of data centres and can automatically make all the necessary decisions on the most optimal and efficient way to consume energy.

“We are powering the largest data centres in Africa using Eaton products, and we continuously create awareness for our energy efficient technologies. We have various patented technologies in this regard, and our research and development is ongoing. We are developing new products to improve efficiencies, which will, in turn, help drive efficiencies for clients,” says Du Plooy.

However, the cost of new technology has increased, owing to supply chain issues brought about by events such as the Covid-19 pandemic and global inflation.

This has, consequently, also created a global shortage of the necessary technological components such as memory chips and semi-conductors.

Despite these challenges, Eaton aims to meet the growing demand for energy efficient data centres by supplying the latest technology.

“We have a range of products that take into consideration the total cost of ownership. We, as a power company, want to ensure that the entire value chain is as cost effective as possible in terms of not only installation but also the product life-cycle,” Du Plooy concludes.

Edited by Zandile Mavuso
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Features

Comments

Showroom

Rittal
Rittal

Rittal is a world leading provider of top-quality integrated systems for enclosures, power distribution, climate control, IT infrastructure and...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Aqs image
AQS Liquid Transfer

AxFlow AQS Liquid Transfer (Pty) Ltd is an Importer and Distributor of Pumps in Southern Africa

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Hyphen, Eva mine, ferrochrome price make headlines
Hyphen, Eva mine, ferrochrome price make headlines
27th March 2024
Resources Watch
Resources Watch
27th March 2024

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.104 0.165s - 93pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now