Japan Tobacco’s worldwide energy monitoring initiative takes shape in South Africa.
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) is a manufacturer with 30 factories located in 23 countries around the world. The company recently embarked on a worldwide project to monitor energy usage at all operations, in order to reduce energy consumption across the group. This involves 27 sites around the globe, including South Africa and Tanzania.
The Wadeville operation, east of central Johannesburg, is well advanced in the process together with Endress+Hauser. Endress+Hauser United Kingdom is supplying the energy management software, with Endress+Hauser South Africa providing the products and services required to obtain the information for the system.
First, a complete site audit was conducted to determine the measurement requirements for the overall system. This audit was conducted by flow and energy specialist, Chris Gimson, seconded from the flow production facilities in Switzerland and Evan Dent, business development manager for energy. The audit identified the measurement requirements including electricity, boiler steam, fuel and feed water and a variety of flow and temperature measurement points.
After the audit the following instruments were purchased from Endress+Hauser to calculate steam mass and energy flow rates:
* Prowirl 72F Vortex flowmeters.
* TR10 temperature transmitters.
* RMS621 steam computer measurement.
For the boiler and burner gas consumption supply measurements, Endress+Hauser T-mass 65F Thermal mass flow meters provide a direct measurement of mass flow into the system. Boiler feed and hot water consumption is measured by Endress+Hauser Promag 50 Magnetic flowmeters. Temperature measurement is also supplied for each water line allowing energy to be calculated as well as consumption.
All the signals from the meters are communicated via Modbus directly to the JTI control system and are automatically transferred via Internet to the Endress+Hauser web-based eSight energy monitoring software hosted in the UK. Reports relating to specific energy consumption as well as gas, steam and water usage are generated to provide the factory with accurate baselines and production profiles. From these, energy trends can be monitored and the success of the energy initiatives can be reported in real-time.
Ultimately, the eSight software will collect data from 27 international sites and generate reports to give corporate management a global view of the organisation’s energy profiles and usage. Local sites can log in to view their user specific reports as required.
Benefits of the project can be summarised as follows:
* Single supplier for measurement devices as well as energy management software.
* Consultation on software, measurement technology and installation.
* Extended warranty on instruments based on commissioning being done by E+H personnel.
* Global energy reporting across all JTI factories with the ability to drill down to individual sites and components.
* Hosted global energy measuring and reporting in real-time.
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...Inspiration for times of change Endress+Hauser South Africa
News
More than 2000 customers, partners and experts gathered in Basel, Switzerland, for the Endress+Hauser Global Forum in April 2026. Under the theme of driving sustainable transformation together, the event combined keynote sessions on strategy, technology and the future of work with practical case studies from across the process industry.
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.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version