New Generation Power Sources Clients
MTN
MTN boasts a R22m 2-MW tri-generation plant. The tri-generation plant is powered by methane gas, which is piped over 800 km from Sasol's Mozambique gas fields to Egoli Gas in Johannesburg, and then to the company's head office.
The tri-generation plant at MTN is unique in that it not only generates electricity from the methane gas, but also uses a by-product of the process for cooling purposes. The 400 ºC exhaust gas is sent through lithium bromide absorption chillers to cool water, which MTN uses for the cooling needs in the building.
This means that efficiencies of 85% are achieved.The chilled water is supplied to the air-handling units, which supply the cooled air for electronic equipment in the new building, which houses the test switch centre on the ground floor and the data centre on the first floor.
The cooling of a data centre is said to be one of the most expensive components of its operation, with between 700 kW/m2 and 1 400 kW/m2 required for air-conditioning of the area. MTN has been able to register the tri-generation plant project as a carbon credit project with the United Nations, which also assisted in offsetting the costs associated with purchasing the gas and the tri-generation plant.
The plant consists of two 1-MW General Electric Jenbacher gas engines, and the absorption chillers were supplied by Carrier. The plant design was done in-house, by an all-African team. The construction of the new building was done by level four broad based black economic empowerment company Qinisa construction, which was backed by a guarantee from the Industrial Development Corporation.
By putting in place this alternative energy supply, MTN has ensured its security of supply, contributed less to the emission of greenhouse gases, and saved money because the power generated from the tri-generation plant was about half the price of power supplied by City Power.
Related links
MTN unveils new powerplant - click here for more
Methane powers up MTN - click here for more
Image - MTN Installation - click here for more
MTN Gasses Up - click here for more
GE Technology Provides Two Innovative South African Projects with Reliable Onsite Power - click here for more
MTN goes off-grid with new data centre - click here for more
MTN Tri-generation project - click here for more
ABSA Campus
The Absa Campus is located in downtown Johannesburg where ABSA
has built an eco-friendly energy centre to generate
its own electricity from low-pressure gas in Towers West, one of
eight high-rise blocks of offices on the campus.
Power generated from the centre is mostly used between 6.00am
and 10.00pm, during which electricity consumption peaks
in local businesses. The co-generation scheme used at the centre
means that Eskom's power mainly comes into play at
night after 10pm, when the demand for energy is less. This keeps
the electricity bill in check.
The energy centre has the capability to power the entire Absa
Campus. The campus becomes independent of Eskom's
grid as demand peaks. The energy centre has four gas-powered
engines generating a combined 11.2MW of power.
Each of the four GE Jenbacher J620 gas generators is enabled to
peak at 2.8MW.Diesel units are on standby to generate a
further 6MW during an emergency.
Absa's demand magnitude meant it had to install its own pipeline
that stretches from Egoli's location site in
Auckland Park, some 6km from the Absa Campus.
Absa's decision to introduce the gas-generation system at its headquarters was largely driven by power outages experienced in South Africa between 2007 and 2008. The new headquarters were being built during this period.
Source : www.mediaclubsouthafrica.com
Related links
Absa Towers West: Going Green - click here for more
Inner city Energy Centre - click here for more
ABSA Campus Energy Project, Johannesburg - click here for more
Gas-powered generators at Absa's Joburg campus - click here fore more
ABSA's Eco-friendly Office Tower - click here for more
Environment a Real Winner - click here for more
Gas Engines Power Innovative Projects - click here for more
ABSA - click here for more
Image - ABSA Installation - click here fore more
Other related links
Supplier working hard to secure contracts - click here for more