As we move ahead into the new year, in this February issue of Electricity + Control we cover interesting perspectives and new developments across a range of topics – from Industry 4.0 + IIoT, to Energy management + the industrial environment, to Sensors + switches, and Plant maintenance, test + measurement.
The pace of change in industrial automation systems continues to accelerate. In Industry 4.0 + IIoT, Senior VP and Chief Technology Officer at Rockwell Automation, Cyril Perducat looks to some of the possibilities that Industry 5.0 could bring. Jonathan Duncan, VP Anglophone Africa for Secure Power Solutions at Schneider Electric highlights the importance of managing hybrid cloud environments which, by their nature, include a combination of technology options, each critical to the efficient and consistent performance of production sites. And Andrew Cruise, MD of South African cloud infrastructure provider Routed, outlines some of the key factors companies should consider in deciding whether a move to cloud storage is right for their business.
In Energy management + the industrial environment we report on a selection of the award-winning South African projects recognised by the Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the German Energy Solutions Initiative for their energy efficiency achievements, using innovative German technologies in diverse industrial applications. With regard to sustainability in the industrial environment, Babcock International has installed another three boilers fitted with low NOx burners at a major South African petrochemical plant, successfully reducing NOx emissions at the plant to levels well below the legal requirements. In this feature we also note a number of developments in the new and renewable energy space, among other things.
Ian Loudon of Omniflex South Africa writes in the feature on Sensors + switches on the critical importance of signal processing to ensure that signals generated by multiple sensors across a processing plant can be correctly interpreted, understood, and actioned by the control system. And sensor specialist Pepperl+Fuchs shows us how sensors originally developed for discrete manufacturing applications can be adapted for use in hazardous areas and across process industries.
In Plant maintenance, test + measurement, Steinmüller Africa reports on work in progress to supply new high pressure heaters for equipment upgrades at Eskom’s Duvha and Tutuka power stations. We see how Dekra Industrial SA is extending its full range of test and inspection services – now also using drone technology – to the water sector. And SEW-EURODRIVE outlines its portfolio of field services which help customers take better care of their plant and equipment, optimise plant performance and keep plants up and running.
Write @ the back we note Eskom’s plans to lease land at some of its power stations to IPPs, with a view to developing renewable energy generation capacity – as much and as quickly as possible – to increase the country’s electricity supply. The plan presents a number of advantages all round. It is anticipated that the first lease packages will become available later this year.
Click to download and read this issue in PDF format.
