A small rural community south-east of Mutare in eastern Zimbabwe is benefiting from a mini hydro-electric scheme supported and subsidised by Schneider Electric South Africa and its specialist electricity prepayment subsidiary, Conlog.
The scheme, project managed by Practical Action (PA) a UK-based NGO with an office in Zimbabwe, is generating 24 kVA from the hydro-driven turbine on the Wengezi river and providing power supplies to Chipendeke, which comprises a local school, clinic, two shops, a small maize grinding mill, some government houses and local private dwellings. When the distribution of the hydro-generated electricity is completed, the total number of power connections envisaged will be 100.
Conlog general manager, Jaap Grobler says the company donated 100 prepayment meters to PA and also provided the computer and electricity vending management system and software to ensure the effective management of the revenue. “In addition, our technical specialists spent a week at the site, installing the system and providing training to the PA personnel and local community users. The money collected from the prepayment system will be managed by the community forum and will be used to the benefit of the overall community.”
The impact of electrical power on the community, which has never had electrical power, was clearly illustrated when the first lights at Chipendeke were turned on at the clinic and shops. Lights coming on were greeted with broadly smiling faces. Some of the locals had grasped the vision and worked with the project, contributing their labour and locally available material. Those who had not were converts as soon as the lights came on.
The joyful reaction was just reward for the PA team, Lenny Gengiah of Conlog, electrician Pardon Sibanda and Godfrey Dzapata, MD of Milkraft Engineering, who manufactured the turbine. “It was a moment for self reflection,” says Gengiah. “We take electricity for granted while for others this was a momentous event with light where before there was darkness.”
PA has plans to encourage the community to start micro-enterprises such as welding, battery charging, hair dressing, entertainment, additional shops and refrigeration services. The local school will benefit considerably with lighting, computers and electrification of teachers’ houses and the clinic will be able to refrigerate vaccines and sterilise equipment.
PA estimates that 200 households, representing about 1200 people are set to directly benefit from household installations and 1800 will indirectly benefit from the services offered by retail, maize grinding, schooling and other activities. The turbine providing the power is a Pelton matched to a synchronous AC 3-phase screen protected generator with a drip proof alternator of rated output of 24 kVA. The transmission line is a 4-wire, 3-phase and 287 m long.
Waste To Energy thermal technologies DirectLogic Automation
Electrical Power & Protection
The vast quantities of waste produced around the world are a large and growing problem. Waste to Energy technology based on pyrolysis is a solution.
Read more...Medium voltage drive for enhanced energy efficiency and process optimisation Schneider Electric South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
Schneider Electric South Africa has unveiled its cutting-edge Altivar Process ATV6100 medium voltage (MV) drive range, designed to enhance energy efficiency and operational reliability across various industries.
Read more...New enhanced Breaker Status and Communication Module Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has launched its new Breaker Status and Communication Module (BSCM) Modbus SL/ULP, which delivers enhanced performance, improved connectivity and simplified integration for power distribution systems.
Read more...Schneider Electric honoured with Gender Leader Award Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric has been awarded the Gender Leader Award at this year’s Africa CEO Forum. This award acknowledges those organisations operating in Africa that have shown a significant and continuous commitment to gender diversity and inclusion.
Read more...Building green industries to scale green economies
Electrical Power & Protection
Africa is taking bold steps to build green industries across the continent. Namibia is a trailblazer in the hydrogen space, with up to five Final Investment Decisions scheduled to be made in 2025/2026 and is pioneering a world first for green industrialisation.
Read more...Easing the path for IPPs navigating South Africa’s energy regulations
Electrical Power & Protection
Independent Power Producers and developers venturing into South Africa’s renewable energy sector face a challenging regulatory landscape. SPS is a renewable energy asset management company that is actively expanding into the energy trading and wheeling market, which will enable businesses to buy and sell energy directly
Read more...The sensory reaction of building management systems Schneider Electric South Africa
Sensors & Transducers
Today’s building management systems (BMS) cannot function properly without sensors. This is so critical that if sensors start failing, they can become ‘blind’.
Read more...How energy storage will make or break SA’s renewable transition
Electrical Power & Protection
Energy storage is no longer an add-on, but the foundation of a reliable, resilient and renewable energy system. As South Africa accelerates towards a greener future, storage innovation could determine the difference between progress and paralysis.
Read more...Condition-based maintenance can revolutionise business continuity Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
As businesses experience growing pressure to enhance operational efficiency and reduce downtime due to electrical failure, condition-based maintenance becomes essential for preventing unforeseen equipment breakdowns by assessing the real-time health of electrical systems.
Read more...Ball valves and actuators optimise HVAC performance Schneider Electric South Africa
Valves, Actuators & Pump Control
Schneider Electric offers the full range of innovative SpaceLogic and EasyLogic ball valves and actuators. These cutting-edge products are designed to optimise HVAC system performance, ensuring comfort and energy efficiency in commercial and residential buildings.
printer friendly version