The Engineer-October 2016 by Fortune Publications

Engineer The

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VOL.2/NO. 6 • OCTOBER 2016

NAMIBIA’S PULSE OF TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

D&M explains Continuous Welded Rail Innovations

Pipe relining solutions making inroads into Africa

Scaling up solar power to meet Namibia’s energy needs

Northern and Kavango road rehabilitation to cost US$39mil

Harvesting the sun NUST hosts International computer science conference Engineer of the Month Find out how City of Windhoek civil engineer Reinhard Boehmer oversees the Capital’s contract management. His troubles with contractors most specifically.

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Credits

Contents

Editor editor@theengineer.com.na 081 122 6850

relining solutions making 04 Pipe inroads into Africa

Solar cc. Technologies 16 Orujaveze for Prosperity

First introduced in 2012, patented Nu Flow pipe relining solutions have gained traction in South Africa, and the company, which has the master licence for the technology in Africa, is now returning a keen eye to the rest of the continent.

Marketing Etty-Doria Kilembe marketing@theengineer.com.na Distribution distribution@targetnam.com 081 703 9499 Group Marketing Manager Greg Goeda Business@targetnam.com

and Kavango road 05 Northern rehabilitation to cost US$39mil

Admin & Accounts Marizaan Bock admin@targetnam.com

steadies Continuous Welded 18 D&M Rail Innovations on 30kg/m rail

The technology to construct railway track with rails welded into continuous lengths were developed in the 1950-60’s in Europe and the USA due to the need to reduce maintenance, improve safety and ensure a stable geometry to allow higher train speeds.

Namibia’s Roads Authority (RA) has allocated a massive US$39.1 million (N$527million) for road rehabilitation in Ohangwena, Oshana and Oshikoto, as well as the two Kavango regions.

Graphic Designer Keith M. Tuwelo Production Manager Wesley Urassa Executive Editor Confidence Musariri

08 LSN Demystifying Solar in Namibia

Printer: Solitaire Press

22 M+Z Motors Commercial Vehicles M+Z Motors Commercial Vehicles has a long and illustrious history in Namibia’s Motor vehicle industry. Established in 1938, M+Z Motors is the approved supplier of the Mercedes Benz, Freightliner and Fuso, in the commercial range.

Go Solar! The sun will never send you an invoice for the energy it provides. Our solar grid tied systems can cut up to 60% of your current electrical bill depending on your type of business and hours of operation.

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Engineer Engineer Engineer Engineer Engineer Vol.2/No. 5 • September 2016

Vol.2/No. 4 • August 2016

2015 building of Green skylines on the rise the year

NAMIBIAS PULSE OF TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

First edition

… as top Namibian consultancy firm wins Africa’s green building award

An innovative Namibian architecture

Inside

The truth behind Neckartal Game changer: Namport’s Luderitz rail connection

Bulk Materials Handling & Logistics go hand-in hand

How much do governments rake in?

Location: Building Value: Site area: GLA: No of floors: Basements:

Parking bays: Staff compliment:

Windhoek CBD N$425 million 4595m2 15,927m2 6 floors 6 Basement levels 685 1100 at maximum capacity FNB Namibia

Diina Shituula

Transition: Bicon Namibia

Changes Guard “We compete with government funded organisations especially those from Asia who are bankrolled by their governments and do not pay import duty on their plant” Namibia Construction

Cover opportunity Babyface project focus grows

Christian Mueller: crafting NBL’s recipe

Engineer of the Month: Petru Petrus Shimpanda 1

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NUST revolutionises Namibian women in Computing & Informatics

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Mining giants come clean on taxes...

Client Name:

Where are all the women in the Construction Industry?

The nexus • Construction opportunities in Africa of taming • Using floor-to-ceiling walls and sound masking Namibia’s • Social Security role during a site accident oldest building How hybrid subcontractors can replace current tender system

NAMIBIA’S PULSE OF TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

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Wins Hackathon to Combat 24 ‘Amani’ Gender-based Violence

14 Grid-Connected PV Systems

International Conference on 26 The Culture and Computer Science

The International Conference on Culture and Computer Science organised by the Faculty of Computing and Informatics, NUST, in partnership with the German Hochschule fuer Technik und Wirtschaft, Berlin will be held at Safari Hotel from the 26th to the 28th October 2016.

INDUSTRIAL

Pipe relining solutions making inroads into Africa First introduced in 2012, patented Nu Flow pipe relining solutions have gained traction in South Africa, and the company, which has the master licence for the technology in Africa, is now returning a keen eye to the rest of the continent.

Head of marketing at SA Leak Detection, David Wade, says the company believes there is potential for growth in African markets, where mining companies, municipalities, property managers, building maintenance engineers and plumbers could make use of Nu Flow’s noninvasive pipe restoration technologies. In South Africa, where the first relining job using Nu Flow technology was completed at Sun City in December 2012, SA Leak Detection has provided sublicenses to ten licensees, which offer Nu Flow pipe relining solution to the local market. Wade says Nu Flow is considered the leading technology in small diameter pipe relining, owing to its unique ability to fix pressurized and nonpressurised piping systems, using existing access points. “Nu Flow offers the most viable and least disruptive option for pipe renewal,” he says. Citing an example of a relining job at Anglo American’s Landau colliery, in Mpumalanga, Wade explains that the mine had to replace a

corroded 110 mm galvanized steel drainage pipe running beneath a lime water tank, but notes that the client’s major concern was downtime. To circumvent the timeconsuming process of replacing the pipe by opening up the bottom of the tank, Nu Flow cleaning the corroded pipe to return it to its full diameter and then relined it by pulling an epoxy saturated liner into the pipe.

Within the liner is a rubber bladder, which is inflated when the liners is in position. The bladder is removed once the epoxy has cured, leaving behind a “new pipe” within the host pipe.

Piping Solutions The Nu Flow pull-in-place structural liner process creates a long-term, structure pipe inside the host pipe. The process rehabilitates a pipe to a better-than-new condition, with an increased flow rate. It also eliminates weakened joints, seals cracks and lessens the chances of groundwater pollution.

“

The blown-in epoxy coating process is also patented and involves draining water out of the piping system and running dry, heated air through the pipes to ensure the removal of the moisture in the pipes.

Nu Flow supports licensees by providing initial and ongoing training, supplying installation equipment and epoxy, as well as job support on complex projects.

“

eak detection specialist SA Leak Detection Distributors, based in Benoni, Gauteng, already exports Nu Flow products throughout the continent, but the company is aiming to take it a step further by placing at least one licensee in all the major African countries.

The pipes are then sand blasted to remove corrosion build-up and to create an anchor tooth for the epoxy to adhere to. Once cleaned, an epoxy coating system is applied until the pipe is fully coated, creating an internal barrier coating between the water and pipe, eliminating future corrosion.

“Our epoxy coating product and system is the results of over 7 000 hours dedicated to finding the perfect viscosity, air temperature, cure time and equipment needed to achieve optimal pipe adherence that provides a longer-lasting piping solution. Once our epoxy coating is applied to the interior of the pipe, it will seal and protect the system from further deterioration, dramatically extending the system’s life,” says Wade. The process can be used on various of pipe materials, including galvanised steel, cast iron, copper and lead. Nu Flow is originally from Canada, where the structural lining technology was developed. The epoxy coating technology was developed in Japan and was fine-tuned and patented in the US. Nu Flow began licensing its technology to third parties in 2001, growing from ten licensees in 2001 to 250 by 2008.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Northern and Kavango road rehabilitation to cost US$39mil Namibia’s Roads Authority (RA) has allocated a massive US$39.1 million (N$527million) for road rehabilitation in Ohangwena, Oshana and Oshikoto, as well as the two Kavango regions. This program will kick off in Oshana Region and will later be rolled out to other regions. A contractor has already been selected to work on the Oshakati-Outapi road at a cost of N$8 million.

Kashuupulwa to update him on the progress of the roads being rehabilitated in Oshana. He said the Omungwelume road is scheduled to be handed over by September, while the Okatana-Endola Onhuno road is scheduled to be handed over by November.

Governor Kashuupulwa noted that work on the road is going on at a very slow pace. “There are always people on site, but they are just very slow,” he opined.

nother project to be done in Oshana Region is the rehabilitation of the Oshakati-Okahao road, which will be done for N$45 million.

In turn the CEO said that the two roads would be completed on time as scheduled, and added that they are working to iron out all the setbacks. “We’re making extensive progress at Okatana-Endola-Onhuno road and we’re currently just doing final touches. We have already opened 25 km of the road to Lutombi said there are also plans traffic,” he explained.

Roads Authority Chief executive officer (CEO), Conrad Lutombi said the rehabilitation of roads was initiated so as to improve the lifespan and quality of the roads.

to expand the Natis office at Ongwediva, as the current facility cannot handle the pressure. “In future we’re also planning to put up a Testing Centre in Ondangwa,” he said. At the moment, rehabilitation is going on between Oshakati and Oshikuku, where the roads’ lifespan is scheduled to be raised to at least eight years. Lutombi revealed this when he visited Governor of Oshana Region Clemens

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Another road construction project said to be making progress is the gravel road connecting Uukwiyu-Uushona to Omuntele Constituency.

Also in the pipeline, is the construction of the about 4 km dual carriageway between Okatan and Oshakati, which it is hoped will ease traffic congestion on that route. Currently, RA is busy negotiating compensation for those living nearby who will be affected.

Lutombi said there are also plans to expand the Natis office at Ongwediva, as the current facility cannot handle the pressure. “In future we’re also planning to put up a Testing Centre in Ondangwa,” he said. RA has also given priority to the construction of roads leading to schools and clinics in the region. Governor Kashuupulwa said he was happy with the ongoing infrastructural developments in the region.

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ENERGY

In Niger’s eastern region of Diffa in the south of the Ténéré Desert - a vast sandy area across Niger and Chad up in the Sahara Desert - are the ruins of a century-old colonial fort. The area around it, an oasis called Agadem, is one of the sunniest spots on earth, behind only a patch in the middle of the Pacific Ocean around Hawaii and Kiribati Island, according to the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Africa’s total solar power–generating capacity, rom 1983 to 2005, data from NASA estimated at 312 megawatts in 2013, grew researchers showed that Agadem received to 1,315 megawatts in 2015, and is projected sun radiation averaging a sweltering 6.78 to reach 3,380 megawatts by 2017 - a tenfold kilowatt hours per square metre per day, enough increase over a period of four energy then to produce However, except years. electricity to heat water each day in a typical American for the Ouarzazate “The big jump occurred home. in 2014,” Josefin Berg, the

Solar Power Station in Morocco, no other major projects have emerged to exploit the huge energy potential in the Sahara.

To some extent the Nigerian case illustrates the paradox of a continent where relatively little is harvested although sun radiation abounds. Africa has 7 of the 10 sunniest countries on earth: Chad, Egypt, Kenya, Madagascar, Niger, South Africa and Sudan. A few solar projects have sprung up in the last few years on other parts of the continent, and interest in building new projects has been growing steadily. But solar power development in Africa remains modest. Desperately short of electricity According to HIS Technology, a US-based economic and energy market research company,

IHS Technology senior solar power analyst, told Africa Renewal. “Around 900 megawatts’ additional capacities were added in that year alone.” Power shortages remain common throughout Africa mainly in the main urban centres, while vast swaths of rural areas have no electric power at all.

“

Niger, and by extension the Sahara Desert, is like a giant solar panel, and now experts say the discovery will be a bonanza for the region’s energy prospects. Harvesting solar energy, including through the use of large-scale photovoltaic panel installations, could help power much of Africa.

“

“Sub-Saharan Africa is desperately short of electricity,” the Africa Progress Report 2015, an annual publication of the Africa Progress Panel chaired by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, reported in June 2015. “The region’s grid has a power generation capacity of 90 gigawatts (GW) and half of it is located in one country, South Africa,” the report added. That is less than the capacity in South Korea, where the population is only 5% that of subSaharan Africa. Across sub-Saharan Africa, only a couple of countries, such as Togo, provide uninterrupted electricity supply all year round.

As a consequence, the region is losing 2–4% of its annual gross domestic product. And while South Africa has half of all sub-Saharan electricity, residents have not been spared load shedding. The power blackouts negatively affect economic productivity, and the situation is expected to last through 2017, with the South Africa Reserve Bank anticipating a loss of 0.6% in economic growth in 2015 and 2016. Droughts that affect hydroelectric dams, higher fuel costs that make it more expensive to run thermal generators, poor maintenance of existing infrastructure and lack of investments are some of the causes of the poor state of Africa’s power sector. Tapping the potential More than other countries, South Africa is looking at solar energy as part of the response to its power crisis. Installed capacity is expected to reach 8,400 megawatts of solar power by 2030, and an additional 8,400 megawatts of wind power. Several solar photovoltaics have been commissioned, including the 96-megawatt Jasper Solar Energy Project, one of Africa’s largest photovoltaic power stations, which aims at providing enough solar power for 30,000 homes. The country has ramped up production capacities in the last two years, and the growth accounts for about 90% of the jump in continent-wide solar capacity from 312 megawatts in 2013 to 1,315 megawatts in 2015. Morocco is building one of the world’s largest solar energy projects, having launched its first phase in February 2016. At the same time, the country embarked on the second phase of the project, which, once completed by 2018, would provide electricity to 1.1 million people and cover 14% of the country’s energy needs by 2020. With its Nzema project, Ghana was supposed to lead the solar revolution in the region. An ambitious solar farm about 270 kms from the capital, Accra, it was to go online in 2015 and generate 155 megawatts - enough to power 100,000 homes. It was designed to be connected to the national grid and to strengthen Ghana’s energy exports to its neighbours.

The Engineer | October 2016

By: Franck Kuwonu

Harvesting the sun Scaling up solar power to meet Africa’s energy needs

Delays continue to affect most of Africa’s solar projects. In West Africa it takes five to six years on average for a solar project to be completed, Doug Coleman, the project director for the Nzema solar plant, told Africa Renewal. In contrast, the average turnover in South Africa is 9 to 24 months. Both Mr. Berg of IHS Technology and Mr. Coleman point out that this is because the South African market is more developed and mature. “Elsewhere, policies and regulations are still being developed,” said Mr. Coleman. According to the World Bank, market fragmentation, high transaction costs, perceived risks and the cost of capital are some of the obstacles holding back private investors. Earlier last year the World Bank launched the Scaling Solar initiative to reduce “the development time and uncertainty for bidders and investors, while lowering tariffs for utilities.” The programme, managed by the International Finance Corporation, an arm of the bank, will offer tendering and financing expertise and help make privately financed projects operational within two years.

As the price of photovoltaic panels continues to decline on the international market and as solar projects start generating profits, new renewable energy markets will have a greater appeal for private investors, says the Bank. In August the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) reckoned that the country saved the equivalent of $584 million - a tenfold increase over last year from wind and solar energy just in the first six months of 2015. The CISR expects the savings to grow as more projects come online. Fortunately, as Africa’s solar prospects continue to improve, several companies have shown interest in developing solutions. Last August, SkyPower, an American solar company, entered into an agreement with Kenya to build a gigawatt plant over the next five years. “Such big announcements are very common,” Mr. Berg of HIS Technology says, however, they take time to materialize, if they ever do. With other sub-Saharan African countries embarking on the solar journey, both the World Bank initiative and the South African experience show that renewable energy, despite today’s constraints, could have a bright future on the continent.

Solar power gaining a foothold in Africa

oadside shops along the main highway from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso’s capital, to the northwest offer diverse wares: leather goods, wooden furniture, colourful plastic buckets, grilled chicken, motorcycle parts and a relatively new product-solar panels. The area, Bassinko, with its ongoing construction of affordable housing, is attracting a growing population. But power supply here remains insecure and there are repeated blackouts, hence a demand for additional sources of power. Merchants make brisk sales of replacing solar panels, and some businesses have emerged that specialize in installing and servicing solar systems for small businesses and households. Development experts across Africa have long pointed to the potential benefits of solar energy. Although a few African countries have significant oil reserves, electricity is not always reliable, while their carbon emissions harm the environment. Some countries have the capacity to greatly expand hydropower generation, some have potential sources of thermal energy, and many could develop wind power. But all African countries have plentiful sunlight. However, economic reality - the high cost of solar technologies - long conspired to keep solar power beyond the reach of ordinary Africans. In Burkina Faso, Prime Minister Paul Kaba Thiéba says the government has decided to focus specifically on solar energy, as part of a planned transition “toward clean and renewable energies.” Besides building solar plants and encouraging businesses to install solar units, the government is working with banks and financial institutions to develop new lines of credit for purchasing solar installations. World Bank vice-president for Africa Makhtar Diop - whose institution is helping to finance Burkina Faso’s solar efforts - believes that the country’s solar generating capacity will eventually reach “dozens of megawatts.”

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Its promoters touted it as a game changer for Africa. However, four years after the project was announced, Nzema has yet to materialize. According to reports, construction of the plant will commence soon, with a possible completion date in 2017.

LSN

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Q: What key projects have you worked on? At Light Systems Namibia consider all our projects as key projects. Every project from the smallest right to the biggest is carried out with the same level of passion ensuring our values are reflected in each one of them. Every project we’ve completed successfully brings a sense of satisfaction irrespective of size. The gratification of our Solar off-grid clients is most memorable. These are people who depended on hazardous sources of electricity like candles and kerosene and the smile on their faces after we install a safe, renewable solar solution is unforgettable. Our Solar grid-tied projects are noteworthy as they present interesting challenges which our team enjoys working on. The 50kWp Grid-Tied system at Dolphin Supermarket in Rehoboth is our biggest at the moment. We are working tirelessly to work on an even bigger project. We have also carried out a number of other Solar Grid-tied systems around the country.

Q: How big is your capacity? We currently have a staff complement of around 10 full-time and 4 part-time. They are spread between our 2 offices in Windhoek and Ongwediva. We receive numerous requests for employment and job-attachments especially from the youth and we assist where we can thus we normally have 1 or 2 additional people in our offices during certain months as we try to provide some work experience to these youths.

Q: What do you find as the main misconceptions towards solar in Namibia? The uptake of solar in Namibia is still limited at the moment. Data collected from private households on energy for cooking, lighting and heating in the Namibia 2011 Population and Housing Census Main Report indicate that only 1.2% of Namibians use Solar Energy for lighting, 0.1 for cooking and 0.4% for heating. There are various reasons for this limited uptake. Many say solar energy is too expensive. While the initial investment is high, the savings on your electricity bill over time makes solar energy more affordable now than ever as prices of electricity keep increasing year-on-year. Some believe solar power is unreliable. With sufficient investment, solar energy can be more reliable than traditional electricity. Another myth is that solar energy doesn't work in rainy, cloudy, foggy, cold weather or doesn’t work at night. Solar panels work fine in ambient light and will produce significant energy in the fog or on overcast days. With storage mediums like batteries, or heat absorbing medium for Concentrated Solar Thermal Power, power can be provided at night.

plans. The Harambee Prosperity Plan, states that the country should “Increase local electricity generating capacity from 400 MW to 600 MW” and places an increased emphasis on renewable energy. Government’s language towards solar energy is motivating as it indicates genuine government will to utilise solar energy in the country.

Q: Take us through some of the key solutions you provide? Light Systems Namibia Designs, Installs, Monitors and Maintains renewable energy solutions to meet the needs of our clients. Solutions include Solar off-grid systems, Solar Grid-Tied Systems, Solar Water Heaters (Solar Geysers), Solar Street Lights and Solar Powered borehole systems. For Grid-Tied systems, we have the following segments: Metro Light: which caters for Residential clients and system size range from 1kW to 10kw Urban Light: which caters for Commercial and Retail Spaces and system size range from 5kW to 50kw. Industrial Light: which caters for Industrial and Small Business and system size range from 10kW to 50kw.

Q: What is needed at government level with regards to focusing attention on solar?

Power Light: which caters for Large power users and system size range from 50kW upwards. There is a Light Field O&M which caters for Maintenance. In the Solar off-grid system segment, systems range from 180W onwards and come with solar batteries.

Government has been very vocal of late in coming up with solutions to energy security for Namibia. Currently, the country imports over 60% of its energy needs from its neighbours, a concerning situation for a country with serious growth

Q: What would you advise commercial entities on the energy solutions that you have? Go Solar! The sun will never send you an invoice for the energy it provides. Our solar grid tied systems can cut up to 60% of your current electrical bill depending on your type of business and hours of operation. The return on investment for most of our solutions is usually 5 years where after, you will be getting free electricity apart from maintenance costs.

Unlocking Namibia’s solar potential

25 years

Namibia’s direct normal irradiation (DNI) Map

Areas with Best Potential for CSP development Ground Measurement stations in place

Potential CSP sites in Namibia

Namibia has one of the world’s best solar regimes with an average direct normal irradiation (DNI) of 2,200 kWh/m²/year (peaking to 3,000 kWh/ m²/year in certain areas). Namibia aims to exploit this resource to increase the share of renewables in the energy mix, by facilitating investments in CSP plants and other related clean energy technologies. CSP TT NAM goals are set against a background of rising electricity consumption and prices in Namibia and deficit in local generation capacity foreseen in the current growth forecasts of local electricity demand. This is compounded by the fact that Namibia currently relies heavily on energy imports from neighbouring countries, putting the country in a precarious position as far as security of supply is concerned.

Why develop CSP in Namibia? Security of supply – CSP will reduce Namibia’s over-dependence on electricity imports from neighbouring countries Development goals – Investments in technologies such CSP will complement Namibia’s plans to be an Industrialised nation by 2030 by safeguarding security of supply GHG reduction – CSP plants will contribute to Namibia’s climate change mitigation efforts and also contribute to global environmental protection goals

Ground measurements at potential CSP sites to confirm the solar resource data and obtain bankable Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI) and Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) data.

Socio-economic development – The development of Concentrated Solar Power plants will lead to CSP market growth, empowerment of Namibian entrepreneurs in the value chain supply system and also create employment MME/UNDP/GEF CSP TT NAM Project 17 Brahm Street, Windhoek Private Bag 13297 Windhoek Namibia Tel: +264 61 207 2735 Fax: +264 61 207 9589

Websites: http://nei.nust.na www.mme.gov.na Email addresses: nei@nust.na ghamutwe@yahoo.com

ENERGY

Electricity Production at the Point of Consumption Residences, office buildings, schools, workshops, factories and supermarkets share one common denominator: they require electricity to fulfil their function. Except for residences the majority of this power usage takes place during daytime and this coincides perfectly with Namibia’s 300-plus sunny days.

he way to go is a PV Solar Feed-In System which helps to make money by saving on cost of electricity. Since home generation has crossed the point of “grid parity”, i.e. generation on site comes cheaper than buying power from the grid, such an investment comes with a typical pay-back period between five and eight years.

Obviously demand side management, i. e. shifting demand, may greatly improve these savings. Liaising with expert companies which can provide data logging of consumption curves and other demand-side advice therefore is prerequisite when it comes to tailor-made feed-in solutions. The new law allows renewable energy systems up to 500 kW (if larger they require a licence from the Electricity Control Board) to operate on the client side of the electricity meter where the clients’ loads are served first while excess is exported at a remuneration (for the City of Windhoek currently N$ 1.13 per kWh) which is linked to the avoided cost of the grid supplier. Thus any feed-in system will have to make use of an electronic meter which can register import and export separately.

17 kWp on the roof of Solar Age Namibia (Pty.) Ltd.

Savings are not only attributed to avoided power purchases but also by exporting excess under the new net-metering law. Depending on the daily load curve further savings could be made from lower maximum-demandcharges, time-of-use charges or by lowering the amperage of the incomer’s main circuit breaker which governs the bulk part of basic charges.

From a technical point of view such a system increases overall energy supply efficiency by avoiding transmission losses of some 25% due to our extreme line distances for importing and distributing of power.

A roof-top system makes use of otherwise unused roof space, thus adding value to a property and avoiding any conflict between energy and crop harvesting which fieldmounted systems start to generate in other parts of the world. Net-metering tariff as announced by City of Windhoek for 2016/2017

64 kWp PV installed by NamPower during phase 1 and 212 kWp on the MET ministry (top-left)

Such a PV roof can also come as a car shade for a residence or a parking lot. In future and especially on new buildings we will see more and more genuine solar roofs where the roof surface is directly made of PV modules thus saving on cladding material and mounting structures. PV feed-in systems have – provided a high quality installation by an experienced supplier is performed in terms of components, planning, design and workmanship - very low requirements when it comes to maintenance and repairs since their design life is usually for 25 years plus. The residual maintenance offers local job opportunities when it comes to professional PV module cleaning, system monitoring and eventual repairs. Buildings with integrated PV generation always clearly show investors’ and owners’ responsibility and commitment towards the environment and thus towards sustainable living for future generations. At the same time is supports Namibia in reaching its climate goals. From the perspective of national economics, a multitude of advantages transpire. Compared with centralised power stations PV feed-in systems have a much higher local content with regard to design, construction and fuel supply. They are thus helping Namibia - next to alleviate our shortage of electricity - to improve its balance of trade while saving money from our state coffers by employing private investment. Expertise for systems as described above are well covered by Namibian engineering capacity by companies like Solar Age Namibia (Pty.) Ltd. It is beneficial to attribute this kind of installations to local firms thus ensuring constant improvement in local training creating more and more quality job opportunities for Namibians. “Local is lekker!”

SOLAR AGE

Solar Age: Putting energy into the hands of Namibians Solar Age, one of the pioneering companies in the development of solar energy technologies in Namibia, has committed itself to promoting sustainable renewable energy technologies that protect people and the environment; and contribute to the development of the country.

olar Age was founded in March 1989 by Conrad Roedern, an Electrical Engineer from Germany, who knew about the abundant potential of alternative energy resources in Namibia and saw the need to utilise them.

Solar Age is setting up shop in Ongwediva to service the densely populated northern regions as well as the Angolan market. “Solar energy means energy in the hands of the citizens,” says Roedern.

“

Solar Age is setting up shop in Ongwediva to service the densely populated northern regions as well as the Angolan market.

Since its inception Solar Age has focused on development, design and sales of high-tech Solar Energy Solutions adapted to the various rural, urban, institutional, governmental & commercial customers. The company has concentrated on powering offgrid areas, such as farms. The company provides technologies that suit particular needs of a small settlement, a village or a lodge. Renewable energy is a new concept in Namibia and the general lack

“

Making Namibia more independent of imported fuel supplies and bringing modern energy services to the remote areas of this vast country has been the driving idea behind the foundation of the company.

of knowledge about the products has led to a lack of social acceptability. The technology’s high upfront costs of acquiring the technologies have not made matters any easier, especially at the beginning when there were no financing schemes for people in the rural areas who have no access to the bank facilities. Roedern believes that it is important for the client to know their exact energy requirements before buying a solar unit. Small units that are supplied to rural communities have boosted local businesses which are now able to offer services such as hair-cutting, cellphone charging and refrigeration which enables them to retail perishable products such as milk, margarine and meat.

Solar Age Namibia is committed to the transfer of knowledge within its staff to uphold a high professional standard and gives preference to locally educated and trained people. The company sends staff members overseas to participate in seminars and technical courses over a prolonged period of time. These opportunities assist previously disadvantaged persons to obtain knowledge and qualifications - an important aspect in a country short of qualified people.

Field of work Solar Age specialises in: • Photovoltaic energy systems for remote area power supplies (RAPS) ranging from single module DC systems to multi module professional AC systems with high quality deep cycle batteries and microprocessor controlled sine-wave inverters • Hybrid energy systems for RAPS (PV, wind and diesel) • Energy management in RAPS systems • Data acquisition service • The application of energy efficient appliances • Electronic workshop and test laboratory • In-house manufacturing of Balance of Systems electronic (BOS) components • The fielding and the after-sales service of high quality Solar Home Systems • Photovoltaic water pumping applications • Sale and Installation of SOLAHART Solar Water Heaters. • Un-interrupted Power Systems as black-out protection

Windhoek Main Branch PO Box 9987 Windhoek, Namibia 2 Jeppe Street Northern Industrial Area Tel +264 61 215809 Fax +264 61 215793 info@solarage.com

Ondangwa Branch Olunkono Industrial Area Ext 5, ERF 1769 Tel: +264 65 240849 Fax: +264 65 240849 ondangwa@solarage.com http://www.solarage.com

Solar Age was founded in March 1989 by Conrad Roedern, an Electrical Engineer from Germany, who knew about the abundant potential of alternative energy resources in Namibia and saw the need to utilise them. 11

From Energy Consumer to Energy Prosumer

Patricia Ndebele

ENERGY

In Africa the case of modern energy provision is a special one. Our currencies (and incomes) are about 10 times weaker than those of the developed world, which is mainly in control of the finite resources. But we have to pay the same price if we want to use these commodities. The majority of African countries spend most of their income earned from export on fuel imports. Many among them spend more than that, i. e. these fuel imports are partly paid from development aid monies. This often enriches small elites connected to importing and distributing fuels while leaving disastrous consequences concerning countries’ chances of real development. Renewable Energy (RE) - on the other hand - is typically harvested on home grounds and makes use of the national surface area. So it can be called an indigenous asset. Power stations built on solar and wind also have a much higher “local content” if compared with gas, coal or nuclear stations. That means not only the power station but also its operation yields huge benefits in terms of important factors like money outflow and job creation.

ne must therefore ask again if Namibia’s development based on finite fossil energy would be a sound foundation on which our long-term visions can be achieved. Our politicians talk so much about “value adding” when it comes to exporting products from Namibia and they rightly do so.

Namibia had to learn a lesson after the power purchase agreement with South Africa had to be renegotiatedand sufficient excess energy from this country ceased to be available. A forgotten bolt in anuclear power station near Cape Town has strong repercussions for the availability of electricity in Namibia.

But at times when we hit the three existential limits of the fossil based energy system - depletion of fuel, climate-incompatibility and rising violence for finite resource access - the added value from our own renewable energy sources is not adequately recognized.Time and again we must look at the trade-off between national energy autonomy versus largerregional power pools, the latter being based on costly power lines or other means of transport forenergy.

Namibia Time and again we must look at the had to learn a trade-off between lesson after the national energy power purchase autonomy versus larger regional power agreement with pools, the latter being South Africa had based on costly to be renegotiated power lines or other means of transport and sufficient for energy. National excess energy energy autonomy based on a renewable from this country energy scenario will ceased to be assign funds for the development of rural available. areas and centres immediately.

In practise they often create unhealthy dependencies. Everybody will importfrom the current cheapest exporter and neglect the development of own generating capacities.

“

National energy autonomy based on a renewable energy scenario will assign funds for thedevelopment of rural areas and centres immediately. A power pool will require costly infrastructurebefore the first hut in a rural area is electrified. Power Pools technically allow the import and exportbetween countries.

“

Everybody will import from the current cheapest exporter and neglect the development of own generating capacities. Namibia had to learn a lesson after the power purchase agreement with South Africa had to be renegotiated and sufficient excess energy from this country ceased to be available. A forgotten bolt in a nuclear power station near Cape Town has strong repercussions for the availability of electricity in Namibia.

Energy in the hands of many On all levels of the electricity supply chain (NamPower, REDs, municipalities, end users) we see a growing move to generate electricity using renewable resources with PV Solar seeing currently the greatest increase. This trend will gain momentum whenever it is cheaper to produce than to buy. This “bottom-up-approach” will keep a large amount of the current money outflow for imports available inside Namibia. The argument of threatened grid stability needs to be put into perspective:as long as these distributed contributions are adding up to less than 80 % of the minimum base load,they will not pose an unmanageable task to control the current infrastructure.

A power pool will require costly infrastructure before the first hut in a rural area is electrified. Power Pools technically allow the import and export between countries. In practise they often create unhealthy dependencies. Imports declining: a new supply structure for Namibia (Imports declining: a new supply structure for Namibia (Courtesy of AMUSHA Consultancy Services)

How will Namibia’s transition to 100% RE look like? Looking at energy in general, the electricity sector would be the starting point since it could undergothe easiest conversion to 100% RE. Already now some 40% of our electricity already stem from renewable energy in the form hydro power while the rest has to be imported, resulting in a yearlyoutflow of more than 2 bn N$ and costly investment into the required power line system. The following corner stones will characterise this transition: • Electricity as an energy source will gain importance (electric cars, information technology) • Re-allocation of funds form the fossil to the renewable sector • Reform of the centralised supply industry encouraging distributed generation • Introduce bio mass, e. g. harvesting of invader bush, as large scale “job creator” • Reforming the Namibian agricultural sector for harvesting bio mass and electricity • Embracing storage technologies and making provision of storage a profitable business • Embracing demand side management to ease balancing of supply and demand • The electricity market must be changed to also remunerate distributed capacity provision • Embracing small and large scale business creation based on RE

• Bringing the energy (thus comfort and attractive life) to the rural people and not vice versa • Reforming the Namibian transport sector by utilising RE-propelled mass transport • Reforming the Namibian industrial sector in terms of supplying RE and RE systems Many remote areas of Namibia are just too far from the grid for a power line connection to make sense. To make an energy service for these regions available, Namibia currently has a diversifiedstrategy which requires further development. It ranges from an infrastructure of “Energy Shops” and Solar Home Systems to Solar Diesel mini grid installations. The wireless cellular telephone serviceshows the way forward: just as the modern telephone comes without wired lines this becomes truefor electricity as well. Nobody would dare to ban cell phones in order to protect a telecom monopolyof land lines. If NamPower puts panels on their roofs in order to reduce their bill with the City ofWindhoek basically everybody can do it. With the share of RE rising our electricity supply needs toacquire the following properties: The existing interlinked grid net work, augmented with national Regeneration capacity will take up the new combined function (“smart grid”) for distribution and “harvesting” of electricity generated by renewable means, thus allowing an income for every body including farmers and small dwellers.

The current transition: from energy consumers to energy “prosumers” In a nutshell: Namibia’s electricity sector is undergoing swift changes towards de-centralised generation in the hands of many. Some of the traditional role players have at least noticed this but to date most of them failed to pro-actively address this ever-increasing trend. They react with fear and protectionism. A proactive minority - like ERONGORED and CENORED - fortunately has addressed the issue by introducing buyback tariffs to reward excess electricity from prosumers. This will become the order of the day. Nobody (except for a harsh dictatorship) can stop people to produce their own power once the means are available and economically competitive. The times of electricity just being sold by utilities, regional distributors and municipalities as plain “cash-cow” business have come to an end. In future these entities have to acquire the roll of smart grid operators, running own renewable energy plants while managing distributed short and medium-term storage capacity. These new tasks are swiftly gaining importance and on the grounds of this importance they constitute a profitable business once they are understood and the necessary institutional and legal framework is in place.

What do we do? D&M Rail combines an unmatched set of skills to provide rail construction, maintenance, manufacturing and consulting services. Accustomed to working under tough conditions on time-sensitive projects with large budgets, we are proud of our outstanding track-record. Contact us: Cell: +264 81 124 5385 | Tel: +264 61 402 371 | Email: dawie@dmrail.com | Web: www.dmrail.com P. O. Box 830, Windhoek, Namibia | John Ludwig nr 35, Klein Windhoek, Windhoek Namibia 13

CEDAR SOLAR

Cedar Solar: About us

How does it work?

Innovative. Energetic. Turnkey Solutions.

We are a young, proudly Namibian Company, with a branch in Johannesburg and a network of agents across South Africa. • Our mission is to contribute to a cleaner, greener Namibia by offering solar electricity at very affordable prices. • Sunlight with hits PV andto DCfind electricity is produced panel offer value for money and • We strive to be innovative and stay at the forefront of technology, a panel hunger the best quality by products, • DC electricity flows into inverter and is converted to AC electricity excellent service. • AC energy flows into your DB box, and can be used by all appliances • We will be your long-term partners, with reliable warranties and support structures. • Surplus electricity flows through the electricity grid and is used in the grid •

When more electricity is required than what is supplied by PV system, electricity is drawn from the grid as normal

PV Solar Panel

Electrical Grid

• Sunlight hits PV panel and DC electricity is produced by panel.

Figure 1: Simplified illustration explaining a PV system

• DC electricity flows into inverter and is converted to AC electricity.

• AC energy flows into your DB box, and can be used by all appliances.

• Surplus electricity flows through the electricity grid and is used in the grid. • When more electricity is required than what is supplied by PV system, electricity is drawn from the grid as normal.

Innovative. Energetic. Turnkey Solutions.

Excellent Solar Irradiation in Namibia

DC In

123 45

Inverter AC out

Electrical Box

Electricity meter

Why should you install a PV system? The two major advantages of a PV installation are: • Drastically reduce electricity required from grid, which reduces electricity expenditure. • Environmentally friendly. Reduce CO2 emissions. When sunlight hits the panels, electricity is generated and the demand from the grid is lowered. Figure 3 illustrates: • Total amount of electricity required by a standard business. • Electricity generated by the PV system. • Amount of electricity required from the grid after PV System.

Figure 2: Excellent solar irradiation in Namibia, making it ideal for PV Installations.

The Engineer

October 2016

Average Summer Weekday Profile meaning that it will still produce 80% of its peak power output after 25 years.

Total consumption

50 40

30 20

Electricity production by PV

Saving

Grid demand after solar

Consumption Energy from Grid Solar energy (AC) minus standby use

• 10-year limited product warranty on workmanship of panels. • More information about the panels and warranty is available on www.trinasolar.com

Grid Feed-In

The truth about solar energy Inverter

• Cedar Solar proudly uses Growatt inverters.

• Growatt inverters offers 98.7% efficiency*

Innovative. Energetic. Turnkey Solutions.

Why should you install a PV system?

• Largest exporter inverters* Conventional wisdom dictates that of solar PV systems are very expensive • Extremely competitive price many people keep paying ever increasing electricity prices. • 5-year standard warranty, 10-year optional Thanks to technological advances and increasing numbers of manufactu warranty the major components to a PV system have decreased drastically • Real-time monitoring of PV system performance • Prices of PV modules have decreased by 62% since January 2011 via computer or smartphone

Time of Day Figure 3: Comparison of daily grid electricity requirement before and after a PV installation. Note the significant daily saving on a of normal day. Figure 3: Comparison dailysummer grid electricity requirement before and

after a PV installation. Note the significant daily saving on a normal summer day.

The truth about solar energy

Conventional wisdom dictates that solar PV systems are very expensive and therefore many people keep paying ever increasing electricity prices.

• Visit www.ginverter.com for more information

The payback period of a system depends on a number of variables, but 7 years.

Thanks to technological advances and increasing numbers of manufacturers, prices of the major components to a PV system have decreased drastically.

Figure financ busine

Prices of PV modules have decreased by 62% since January 2011 The payback period of a system depends on a number of variables, but ranges from 3-7 years.

Components to a PV Installation PV Panels/Modules

Figure 6: Example of a financial model for a business

• Cedar Solar proudly makes use of Trinasolar panels. Trinasolar is a Tier 1 company, offering excellent guarantees on their products. • Panels have a 25-year limited output warranty,

Comprehensive maintenance plan Cedar Solar maintenance plan includes: • 1-year warranty on workmanship • 5-year warranty on inverters • 25-year warranty on PV modules • Free inspection of all connections • Optional module-cleaning plan 6 times per year - ensures better efficiency Figure 7: Example of the effect of module cleaning on module efficiency. The percentage gain after cleaning will depend on how dirty the panels were

The Engineer

October 2016

COMPANY PROFILE

Orujaveze Solar cc. Technologies for Prosperity VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS Our Vision To be a leading progressive world class technological corporation that provide top quality engineering solutions, mainly Renewable Solar Energy, outstanding technological consultancies and related reliable services and continuously improve the quality of life for all our people. Our Mission To innovatively fulfill the needs of our customers, satisfy the aspirations of our employees and exceed the expectations of all our stakeholders. To inspire and nurture the human spirit one person, one sun ray and one resident at a time."

BUSINESS CONCEPT The principal business activity for the Orujaveze Solar CC is the solar operation. The solar operation serves the residents of the local region and nation. The solar operation is a retail outlet of solar products (Solar Home Systems, Solar Geysers) and offer services and installations services to all Namibians. The products and services offered are based on current and expected market needs and The Orujaveze Solar CC take full advantage of that opportunity.

Services: • • • • • •

Contact details: Telfax: +26461260338 Cell: +264811275409 E-mail: solar@mweb.com.na 24 Mozart Street, Windhoek West P O Box 21410, Windhoek, Namibia

Solar Home Systems Solar Geysers Renewable Energy Consultancy Energy Management Electrical Installations Plumbing

Other services and products are also offered based on market needs and demands. The Orujaveze Solar CC takes responsibility to continually improve all aspects of the world in which we operate - environment, social, economic - creating a better tomorrow than today. Our vision is put into action through solar programs and a focus on environmental stewardship, activities to benefit society, and a commitment to build value by making a truly sustainable company."

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INVESTMENTS | SAVINGS | INSURANCE

PROJECT FOCUS

D&M steadies Continuous Welded Rail Innovations on 30kg/m rail The technology to construct railway track with rails welded into continuous lengths were developed in the 1950-60’s in Europe and the USA due to the need to reduce maintenance, improve safety and ensure a stable geometry to allow higher train speeds. In Namibia this technology has been applied since the mid 1970’s when programs were started to replace the old light jointed track constructed with 30 kg/m rails on light steel sleepers with heavy 48 kg/m rails on heavy steel or concrete sleepers.

When rails are welded in continuous lengths very high longitudinal stresses develop in the track structure as the expansion of the rails cannot be taken up by the expansion gaps between rails as with non-welded jointed track.

he axial compressive stresses that develops when rail temperatures rise will lead to track buckling or kick outs and therefore the lateral stability of the track needs to be sufficient to resist the said compressive stresses. Lateral stability is obtained by using heavy sleepers, ie concrete sleepers (225 kg), heavy rails (40 kg/m and heavier) and sufficient ballast. Over and above the use of these track components, the rails need to be fixed to the sleepers at a pre-determined

The Engineer | October 2016

neutral temperature which is set between the lower and upper rail temperatures that are to be experienced in a specific geographical area. These upper and lower temperature limits are called in Railway Engineering terms the “A - Temperature Range “. The meaning of the neutral temperature is that rails will be stress free at such temperature, ie no compression or tensile stresses present. Rails under excessive tensile stress may break at very cold temperatures, therefore the requirement to have a neutral temperature that will be able to accommodate the upper as well the lower temperature limits. The process whereby rails are fixed at the neutral temperature is called the destressing of rails. The one method of destressing is done by loosening the rail, place it on rollers and allow it to move freely within the temperature range and

then fix it to the sleepers before it reaches the upper temperature limit. The other method is by way of a rail tensioner whereby the mm expansion of the rail is calculated for the temperature variance between the actual rail

temperature (must be lower than the neutral temperature) and the set neutral temperature and the rail is then stretched over its full length until the mm expansion is reached before it is fixed to the sleepers. It needs also to be added the rails are welded either by flash butt or exothermic welding process in lengths of approximately 400-500 m before destressing is done and then after destressing welded in continuous lengths as the process continues. The industry standard determines that only rail sizes of 40 kg/m and heavier may be welded in continuous lengths.

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On the KranzbergTsumeb rehabilitation project, concrete sleepers had to be used as no other replacement sleepers could economically or technically be justified to replace the worn 30 kg steel sleepers.

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On the Kranzberg-Tsumeb rehabilitation project D&M Rail Construction was faced with the challenge of 30 kg/m rails that had to be reworked (rail ends cropped to remove bent/battered rail ends and cracks around fish bolt areas) and refitted on new P2 concrete sleepers as no new rails are available for the short/ medium term.

Concrete sleepers had to be used as no other replacement sleepers could economically or technically be justified to replace the worn 30 kg steel sleepers. The 30 kg/m rails had therefore to be installed as jointed track with a continuation of the high maintenance burden at joints 36 m apart and subsequent damage to the ballast, rails, concrete sleepers and rolling stock. In consultation with Windhoek Consulting Engineers (who did the Engineering modelling) tests were conducted

to weld the 30 kg/m rails in continuous lengths. A neutral temperature closer to the lower limit of the A-range was set and rail stresses were monitored until the engineers were satisfied that the continuous welding of the 30 kg/m rails could be executed safely within the prescribed rules applicable for such operation. With this innovation a superb track allowing safe speeds of 60 km/h (maximum allowed for the rolling stock in Namibia on any track) could be delivered. This is of course an interim solution until the heavier 48 kg/m rails can be fitted within the next 5 -7 years and is a first in the rail industry for track of this kind.

About D&M Rail Uniquely, D&M Rail offers a full range of services, including construction; relaying of railway lines; maintenance; manufacturing of concrete panels for ballastless track; loading, securing and offloading of bulk rail equipment; railway engineering consulting; and the supply of material and rolling

stock. The growing importance of railways is reflected in the current upgrade of the national railway network to an 18.5 tonne axle load capacity and the extension of the grid to neighbouring countries. D&M Rail plays a pivotal role in realising these multi-million dollar projects for the development of Namibia and

the Southern African Region. D&M Rail combines an unmatched set of skills to provide rail construction, maintenance, manufacturing and consulting services. Accustomed to working under tough conditions on time-sensitive projects with large budgets, we are proud of our outstanding track-record. The Engineer | October 2016

LOGISTICS OF THE MONTH ENGINEER Toini Martin

Reinhard Boehmer, policing the engineering consultants

or years, civil engineers tended to work on public projects such as construction of buildings, roads and bridges as well. Lately civil engineers have been hired by consulting engineering firms, regional governments, construction firms and municipalities.

Civil engineering is the practice of being involved in the various processes necessary for building any infrastructure which include designing, planning, operating, building and maintaining.

It is three years since Reinhard Boehmer joined the City of Windhoek as a civil engineer responsible for contract management where he deals with contract administration, project supervision, quality auditing and monitoring. Currently Boehmer is overseeing two key City projects: • Northern Suburb Collectors Phase 2 in Katutura 7,2 km • Private development of the Elisenheim phase 2 project “Whether private or public, any civil engineering project will eventually be taken over by the City. We have had problems lately where contractors do not want the City engineers present. Yet the City needs to make sure that the contract documents are fulfilled and we help avert possible risk because thereafter the rehabilitation of infrastructure and its life-span is given to us.

Top 4 tips to consider when hiring a contractor Getting the right contractor for a project can be a daunting task. Here are some of the top factors to consider when picking the right contractor.

This is a long lasting project therefore blunders are not needed at all cost and this is a home alteration that you’re going to live with every day.

1) Don’t Rush

The best thing to do before you start interviewing contractors is educate yourself on the project, he advises.

Once you plan to for a project to be carried out take you time to identify the best contractor.

We cannot excuse City engineers in any infrastructural development because in the end we take ownership of all infrastructure such as water, electricity and roads. It becomes a cost to us if that is not done properly from the beginning,” he says.

completed.

“

I was the Assistant Resident Engineer during the GobabisOtjinene road constrccution for a year. It’s success amid the challenges we faced, is one of the key stages in life I look back with a smile.

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We do not want to be given faulty infrastructure and we wish contractors understand that, because many do not see the reason for the City’s involvement.

Having worked for the Roads Authority and then WCE as Ondangwa Branch Manager, Boehmer says local contractors consistently need to be reminded on the continued gap between cost and requirements as that has resulted in a lot of projects not being

He cites project management capacity among local contractors as weak and needing more than just tutorship but astute discipline.

“Take for instance the Katutura project that I am overseeing the Northern Suburb Collectors’ Phase 2, it was commenced in February 2014 and failed to meet its 2015 deadline. We might as well fail to complete it this year mainly due to mismanagement either of funds or projects from the contractor.” Soon it will be a decade since Boehmer cut his engineering teeth and he holds his head high on the greatest success thus far.

He explains, “I was the Assistant Resident Engineer during the Gobabis-Otjinene road constrccution for a year. It’s success amid the challenges we faced, is one of the key stages in life I look back with a smile.” With a Bachelor of Technology, Civil Engineering of (Transport) Degree obtained from Cape Peninsula University (CPU) in Cape Town, South Africa, in addition to a Diploma in Civil engineering at Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), plus an MBA, Boehmer is currently doing a Masters in Construction Law & Dispute Resolution. “There are a lot of contractual disputes in Namibia and yet many of the experts who resolve such issues are coming from abroad. I want to become one of the local adjudicators.” And coming from an engineering policing role, being an adjudicator should become natural for this 33 year-old Engineering Council of Namibia (ECN) member and Engineering Proffesionals Association (EPA) corporate member.

“There are a lot of contractual disputes in Namibia and yet many of the experts who resolve such issues are coming from abroad. I want to become one of the local adjudicators.” Private development of the Elisenheim phase 2 project

The more you know, the more able you’ll be to ask savvy questions and make smart decisions concerning the project. “Do you want to run (category)-five or (category)-six (cables)? How far do you think you need to go? Do you need to gut your kitchen?” he says.

2) Consult widely Ensure that you consult with friends and other key construction industry leaders who have already done more projects as this will help you judge each contractor and get views.

Then follow up with your own due diligence before you make your final decision of hiring a contractor.

3) Determine the contractor area of specialisation Sometimes people assume all contractors are equally qualified to work on different types of houses,” Abram says. Interview contractors who do the type of work you need. For instance, if you want a renovation, you want a renovator, rather than a new-home builder, he says.

Look for someone who focuses on homes that are the same age and style as yours, Abram says. While a contractor may have more than one specialty, you want to make sure that your type of home is one of the contractor’s strong suits.

4) Make a good match Just like dating hiring the best contractor should be based on what you want and what you agree on. Best contractor should understand fully what you want so that he can deliver on time.

ADVETORIAL

M+Z MOTORS COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

M+Z Motors

The Actros is the flagship of the Mercedes-Benz Trucks range, and it dominates the extraheavy category. Chassis capacity varies from 26 tons to 33 tons with engine capacity up to 540 horsepower. Most of these vehicles are configured as 6x4 truck tractors, but 6x6 an 8x4 models are also available.

M+Z Motors Commercial Vehicles has a long and illustrious history in Namibia’s Motor vehicle industry. Established in 1938, M+Z Motors is the approved supplier of the Mercedes Benz, Freightliner and Fuso, in the commercial range. M+Z Motors is known for their strong focus on customer satisfaction and service excellence. To ensure the highest of the aforementioned, only factory trained technicians are employed. The Dealership in the capital is headed up by Dealer Principal, Wilfried Sell, assisted by a team of professional managers: Tati Kamule (Sales), Sandra Bergendahl (Parts), Oliver Kayser (Service) and Marijke Viljoen (Customer care). Other Managers are; Anna Muleka (Ondangwa), Conrad Britz (Walvisbay). With its new comprehensively equipped state-of-the art facility situated at 35 Newcastle street northern Industrial Area, Windhoek, M+Z Motors Commercial Vehicles are proud to offer the trucking fraternity a one-stop facility with unequalled parts availability and 24/7 after sales service, inclusive of countrywide emergency field service. M+Z MOTORS COMMERCIAL VEHICLES REPRESENTS: Daimler AG Daimler AG is a global automotive organisation which began when Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz’s automotive inventions revolutionised the way people travel since 1886. Since then Daimler AG has

The Engineer | October 2016

shaped the future of mobility. The Mercedes Benz group of companies in South Africa was established in 1954. The group is one of the largest automotive groups in the country and is the corporate holding company for the group’s business activities in South Africa. Mercedes Benz South Africa markets and sells Mercedes Benz commercial vehicles, Western Star, Freightliner and Mitsubishi Fuso Trucks. • The Actros is the flagship of the MercedesBenz Trucks range, and it dominates the extra-heavy category. Chassis capacity varies from 26 tons to 33 tons with engine capacity up to 540 horsepower. Most of these vehicles are configured as 6x4 truck tractors, but 6x6 an 8x4 models are also available. Freight Carrier, Tipper and Mixer models are also well-known as the workhorses of the industry.

The Axor 1823AK/39 was the market leader, in the AllWheel Drive 18 000kg GVM segment, for many years but unfortunately this specific model is no longer available. MBSA is currently in the process of introducing an Actros 4x4 replacement model for the Axor 1823AK/39 and will send out more communication on this exciting new model as soon as they have the specification and pricing confirmed. In the heavy truck category, Mercedez-Benz offers the Axor range, starting from 18 Ton chassis and extending to a full 33 Ton capacity. Vehicles are configured to meet all needs in this segment, 6x4 trucks tractors with a horsepower capacity from 230 right up to 400

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter offers a full range of solutions for all its customers’ needs, varying from small commuter buses in the medium freight category to the large commercial vehicles segment. These vehicles are unequalled for durability, fuel economy and safety and continue to be market leaders. The range of commercial vehicles is complemented by the Vito, which is also available as a van or variously equipped bus, as well as the luxurious people mover V-Class.

Freightliner/Colombia Trucks Tractors

Meet the M+Z Motors Commercial Vehicles Team

• Mercedes- Benz South (MBSA) has always offered benchmark customer service and support through the entire lifecycle of all its products and this is no different for the Freightliner Argosy. As the best long-haul truck in the market, every Freightliner Argosy sold in Namibia and the region remains a product of MBSA and will receive the support and superior customer care that we pride ourselves on. • FUSO Trucks Southern Africa is one of the leading original equipment manufacturers and prides itself on constantly exceeding its customers’ requirements. The FUSO range includes the Fighter, Super Great, Canter, Canter LIFT, Fuso FA9-137 and the newest member to come out of the world-class Daimler India Commercial Vehicles plant in India, the FJ 16-230.

Marijke Viljoen Marketing and Customer Relations Officer

Tati Kamule Sales Manager

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The Engineer | October 2016

‘Amani’ Wins Hackathon to Combat Gender-based Violence

By: Absalom Absalom

TECHNOLOGY

Technology has its limitations but it can be put to unlimited use in various contexts which is evidently the reason why the Namibia University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Computing and Informatics, Namibia Women in Computing Society and Google Developers Group Windhoek in collaboration with Office of the First Lady and various other stakeholders held Namibia’s first Gender Based Violence (GBV) Hackathon on the 23-34 September 2016.

The 24-hour Hackathon brought together Computing enthusiasts, young student coders, professionals and GBV Experts to create innovative technology-based solutions (both mobile and web) to help combat GBV in Namibia and beyond.

The Office of the First Lady organised a group of GBV experts who informed the developers of the current situation in Namibia, tested the solutions and provided feedback on designs during regular intervals.

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The feeling of having implemented something innovative as part of a great team is priceless. I had fun and connected with a lot of amazing people. The atmosphere was great and the food was good, too. I love these events and this was the best hackathon I attended.

During her opening remarks, Faculty of Computing and Informatics’ Dean, Dr Anicia Peters, said that from apps focused on one specific solution to organisations using technology in big, strategic ways, there is a steady drumbeat of social change happening thanks to technology.“

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ackathons are hacking or software development marathons, drawing on the talents and initiative of people and organisations who invest their time into responding to real-world problems with solutions that can have an impact.

We need everybody to be involved in combatting GBV and we (students and professionals) in the ICT sector have not been very active in contributing our skills and talents to help in this fight. The 24-hour non-stop software development event had a sign-up of 85 interested developers of whom 65% were women developers. Eventually women participants were 60% of those who remained throughout the night on Friday and all day on Saturday developing their technology solutions.

The hype that this Hackathon caused among all stakeholders is testimony of how we are all tired of the violence.” The cost of not acting is significant, says Ndinelago Nashandi, A Junior Lecturer at

NUST, who was part of the Organising Committee. "Many organisations have been raising GBV issues, but we are not embracing using technology to present such discourse. As such we decided to make it our business to create Applications that are Prevention and Responsive focused; Innovative, Unique and Creative web and mobile based applications".

Dr Veronica Theron, Technical Director at the Office of the First Lady and organiwer of the GBV expert group said: "This Hackathon has been extremely successful on a number of levels. I am very impressed about how the participants have engaged with the issues, worked through difficult technical problems around privacy and consent and developed prototypes for solid tools to support existing work in GBV prevention.” GBV experts worked with the teams sharing best practices, making best use of available technology and finding innovative solutions to existing challenges. The teams were judged on the basis of usability, sustainability, innovation and presentation skills.

Team “Amani” won first prize for their impressive project that had a “Panic button” feature and a live video feed that a GBV victim can use to record and send their troubles to relevant authorities. Team captain, Beaton Nyamapandi, was delighted with his team’s winning the coverted laptops and said "technology can be a powerful force that opens exciting opportunities. I hope that our App and other solutions from this Hackathon will help civil society and non-profit organisations better achieve their missions and collaborate with other stakeholders".

ourselves to finding a solution to meet the need. Making that commitment and accepting that challenge highlighted how much we could achieve if every project were focused on the social good, without the ambition to win but to help”. Orange IT solutions claimed 2nd place, Team SaveALife and CODE Geeks finished 3rd and 4th respectively. Team Amani will present its solution at the National ICT Summit at the Windhoek Country Club Resort from 10 to 12 October 2016. Ruben Ndjibu is a Master of Computer Science student who used the opportunity to test his hut idea with persuasive

technology inside to change attitudes towards GBV. He also partook in the all-night coding to develop his solutions. Special thanks to Office of the First Lady, Namibia’s Women in Computing Society (NWIC), Namibia Business Innovation Institute (NBII), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Google Developers Group (GDG)Windhoek, Standard Bank, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, National Youth Council of Namibia, Telecom Namibia and ACM Windhoek Chapter for making this event a success.

One of the winners, Tresia Francisko, described the activity as: “The feeling of having implemented something innovative as part of a great team is priceless. I had fun and connected with a lot of amazing people. The atmosphere was great and the food was good, too. I love these events and this was the best hackathon I attended. ” Tangeni Kamati of Team CODE Geeks who got 4th prize said “It was quite an adventure: a new and unparalleled experience, working with my work group against the clock with a deadline only hours away. The best part was the way we were able to do so much in so little time, identify ourselves with a cause and commit

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Panels for those Namibian conditions

ity l a qu e n ve r Ag o r p la orld o e S h n t d by olarW i t s e Tru eliver and S d ibia m Na

TECHNOLOGY

The International Conference on Culture and Computer Science (ICCCS-2016) IN SHORT The International Conference on Culture and Computer Science (ICCCS-2016) organised by the Faculty of Computing and Informatics (FCI), Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), in partnership with the German Hochschule fuer Technik und Wirtschaft (HTW), Berlin will be held at Safari Hotel, Windhoek from the 26th to the 28th October 2016. scientists and engineers conducting research on cultural topics.

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ICCCS-2016 is a conference series that brings into focus best practice examples, challenges and future trends in the field of Virtual and Augmented Reality, Audio and Video Technology, Art, Multimedia and Digital Media Integration, Crossmedia Technologies, Modeling, Visualisation and Interaction. Items from these fields will be analysed, demonstrated and discussed through best practice examples for cultural and creative industries.

The conference runs “In-Cooperation” with the Association of Computing Machinery Special Interest Group “Human Computer Interaction” (ACM SIGCHI).

Dr. Anicia Peters

Over 100 delegates from both Namibia and abroad are expected to participate in the conference. This platform, which is the first of its kind in Africa in the field of Culture and Digital Media intends to stimulate cuttingedge research discussions at international level among academic and pioneering researchers, scientists, engineers, technocrats and students from different countries.

The conference targets cultural policy makers, cultural and creative industries, communication scientists, artists as well as computer

Below are a few pictures related to Culture and Computer Science research activities at NUST and HTW

Magic Cube -Expressing Art work @ HTW, Berlin

Peer-reviewed papers accepted will be presented at conference and published in Proceedings of The International Conference on Culture and Computer Science (ICCCS-2016).

Five Keynote Speakers including the UNESCO Commission of Germany, and UNESCO Commission of Namibia are expected to participate. Namibian students: Honours, Master and PhD are encouraged to register.

A snapshot of "White Lady" Rock Art sites at Brandberg Mountains–Natural Culture Heritage of Namibia

Beside full papers, participants will have the opportunities to attend and interact with other modes of knowledge exchange through Interactive Workshops, Doctoral and Masters student’s Colloquium, and Art & Applications Installations and Demonstration. This event will be of immense benefit to the Computer, Art and Culture societies and Creative industry and will contribute to the progress and

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The Forum will propose innovative technologies, share experiences and achievements, and discuss emerging solutions to augment user experience and knowledge interaction between human and cultural artefacts.

development of the digital art industry in Namibia. We are convinced that it will be to the benefit of Namibia to host this important international event which will also advance tourism industry in supporting the country’s endeavours to become a knowledge-based economy envisioned through Vision 2030. It also will put Namibia on the map as a role model in the preservation, digital expression of cultural Heritage and indigenous knowledge.

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