Powertech IST Otokon was awarded the Energy Project of the Year 2011 at the Southern African Association for Energy Efficiency’s (SAEE) Awards Ceremony last night. The Awards Ceremony formed part of the official annual SAEE Banquet which marked the opening of the 6th Southern African Energy Efficiency Convention (SAEEC2011) and Exhibition on the 16th of November 2011, held at Emperors Palace, Gauteng.
As the largest industrial Eskom DSM peak clipping project, Powertech IST Otokon’s compressed air project at Goldfields Driefontein had a peak clipping target of 12MW, but it has over-performed by 40% and resulted in avoiding 33t of CO2 emssions. These are only the contracted savings reported through the required Measurement and Verification (M&V), and not the savings in their entirety.
The project encompasses an open architecture SCADA system controlling 50 underground valves, instruments, PLC systems, compressor efficiency, compressor controls, all part of an inclusive design process that was followed with the client’s involvement to ensure the successful performance of the system. Goldfields are not only saving energy and the environment but due to the proper design, implementation, measurement and verification of the project installation, the energy savings will be sustained and not diluted over time.
Prof LJ Grobler, President of the SAEE commented, “It is not uncommon for energy efficiency projects to over-perform, especially if standards and M&V are applied to ensure that savings aren’t only a once-off occurrence, but sustainable. The successful integration of various technologies at Driefontein highlights the fact that successful energy efficiency doesn’t lie with one product or solution, it is a holistic approach that delivers performance figures as Powertech IST Otokon has proven here.” He continues, “This year we had a number of entrants that were exceptional for the Annual SAEE Energy Awards Programme. The projects had very good returns and demonstrated that energy efficiency does make good business sense.” Companies are encouraged to enter their projects to enhance the positive initiatives that materialise in the country.
SAEEC2011 featured over 80 knowledgeable speakers, 50 varied exhibition stands on the latest and most interesting developments in the energy efficiency industry and 500 niche market delegates. SAEEC2012 promises to deliver even more information and developments in the energy efficiency sector. Diarise the 7th Southern African Energy Efficiency Convention (SAEEC2012) at Emperors Palace in Gauteng on 14-15 November 2012.
For more information contact the SAEE at info@saee.org.za or visit the website www.saee.org.za.
