Buckman and Energy Drive partner on sustainability efforts
Technews Industry Guide: Sustainable Manufacturing 2022
Electrical Power & Protection
In 2012, Buckman, a US-headquartered specialty chemical company, partnered with Energy Drive with a goal of reducing electricity usage and water consumption at Buckman’s Hammarsdale, South Africa facility. Energy Drive is a company that forges partnerships with organisations to reduce energy consumption in a sustainable manner, with minimal capital investment requirements. Together, the two saw an opportunity to monitor Buckman’s primary cooling tower to help the company achieve sustainable environmental benefits.
Prior to the system installation, a motor drove two pumps and fans on the cooling tower non-stop from Monday to Saturday morning, running at 100% even if the ideal temperature of the cooling tower was already met. Once Energy Drive’s energy-saving solution using variable-speed drives was installed on the four motors of the cooling water system, sensors were used to regulate the speed of the motor depending on the ideal temperature needed. Now, when the system reaches the desired temperature, the pumps and fans slow to a minimum speed to ensure that energy is not wasted.
As the systems have been in place for 10 years, Buckman has realised many benefits from this technology. “The low monthly service charge is completely offset by the energy savings we gain from the variable-speed drives,” said Mukesh Ramatar, plant manager for Buckman South Africa. “But even more important are the positive environmental impacts we’ve seen from the solution – they are the real driver of the value we see.”
In 2022, Buckman received a milestone achievement certificate from Energy Drive for surpassing 4 million kWh in energy saved. This equates to 4,16 million kg of CO2 eliminated, 5,5 million litres of water saved and 2,74 million kg of coal and ash that would otherwise have been used and generated.
The variable-speed drives also add an extra layer of protection to the motor pump systems by allowing the pump to ramp up to speed rather than staying at 100%, which could lead to system damages. When less strain is put on the pumps, it not only protects the equipment but also helps avoid energy spikes.
“One of the best things about variable-speed drives is that they can be installed across all cooling tower systems and chiller systems globally,” said Ramatar. “This means we are just at the beginning of realising our potential for energy savings and sustainability efforts. We look forward to continuing our close relationship with Energy Drive and are proud of the work they do to help companies like ours reach and surpass sustainability milestones.”
Further reading:
Overcoming the bottling industry’s fragmented visibility
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing Electrical Power & Protection
Beverage bottling facilities are among manufacturing’s most energy-intensive environments, yet many still operate without granular insight into where that energy goes. Rezolia Muller-Potluri of Schneider Electric explains how tiered metering architecture and advanced
Read more...
Schneider Electric introduces next-generation BlokSeT switchboard
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has launched its next-generation BlokSeT low-voltage switchboard in West Africa, offering high reliability, predictive maintenance capability and digital integration for critical infrastructure and industrial applications.
Read more...
Powering South Africa’s renewable energy expansion
Electrical Power & Protection
ACTOM Distribution Transformers, the sole NECRT contract holder for Eskom, is powering South Africa’s renewable energy expansion through robust neutral earthing transformer solutions deployed across solar and wind projects in southern Africa.
Read more...
You can’t digitise a blackout
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Across East Africa, smart meters and AI promise cleaner, more reliable power, but digital tools cannot optimise a grid too weak to carry the load. Schneider Electric’s Symphrose Ochieng sets out why operators should strengthen physical infrastructure first, then add digital capability in phases.
Read more...
Battery energy storage is key to powering South Africa’s manufacturing sector
Electrical Power & Protection
South Africa’s shift to renewables is creating a significant opportunity in battery energy storage, but local manufacturers face an uphill battle against cheap imports and stop-start demand. Richard van Moltke of ACTOM Static Power examines what it will take to build a sustainable local battery storage industry.
Read more...
Decarbonisation is reshaping mining strategy in Africa
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing Electrical Power & Protection
Mining companies across Africa are embedding decarbonisation into operational strategy, driven by investor, regulatory and customer pressure to reduce emissions while improving resilience.
Read more...
How to tell whether your mini-substation is new or refurbished
Electrical Power & Protection
Cosmetically refurbished mini-substations are being misrepresented as new equipment and sold back into the market, posing serious reliability and safety risks for mining, industrial and commercial operations. Trafo Power Solutions explains what to look for and what questions to ask before purchasing.
Read more...
Optimising energy reliability for African manufacturing
Electrical Power & Protection IT in Manufacturing
Unreliable power can cost African manufacturers as much as 31% in sales. Behind-the-meter power offers manufacturers in sub-Saharan Africa control, visibility and resilience in their energy provisioning.
Read more...
Electrical solutions for FMCG manufacturing giant
Electrical Power & Protection
An electrical upgrade at a leading fast-moving consumer goods facility demonstrates how ACTOM Kenya turned a fragile, reactive power infrastructure into a resilient, data-driven backbone for production. The project is also a case study in bridging legacy equipment with modern automation without disrupting operations.
Read more...
Yokogawa digital plant to accelerate green hydrogen revolution
Yokogawa South Africa
Editor's Choice Electrical Power & Protection IT in Manufacturing
Yokogawa explains how a digital plant approach and autonomous operations can integrate the full green hydrogen value chain, from renewable power generation to end-use applications, and why digitalisation and system integration are central to making green hydrogen viable in South Africa.
Read more...
printer friendly version