Solutions for a hard-hit industry

Advances in technology are also driving change for the mining industry in terms of the pool of metals and minerals that are considered a worthwhile investment. The growing popularity of electric vehicles is leading to an increase in the need for cobalt, lithium and nickel, which are important component parts of lithium-ion batteries, says John Lewis, Managing Director, Aggreko Africa, in an opinion paper. There are direct parallels from the mining industry for the built environment sector also.

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Lewis explains that Aggreko Africa recently conducted a global survey to better understand the priorities of decision-makers in the energy sector. 50% of respondents said that cost is their primary consideration. But they also need to meet carbon emissions targets. There is a reluctance across the sector to invest in new green power sources with concerns it could soon be out of date as the pace of change seems to only be accelerating. The dilemma is how to integrate renewable energy into power solutions which require significant capex investment, when there’s a backdrop of commodity price volatility making investment unattractive.

The Syama gold mining complex in southern Mali was able to balance this well. Aggreko signed a contract with mine owners in support of its drive to reduce carbon emissions and improve overall efficiency. Once installed, we will operate and maintain a 40MW thermal power plant and a 10MW battery storage system, with a further 20MW of solar power planned in 2023.

The hybrid solution will reduce client’s costs by an estimated 40%. Once all the renewable power sources are fully installed, it will also reduce carbon emissions by approximately 20%.

By using a rental option, Syama were able to de-risk the investment into greener energy due to not having to invest capital into the power solution.

Lewis says that capital investment in some mines, such as coal, has become difficult. There’s also risk in investing in the latest alternative technologies as and when they emerge due to the market changing regularly.

At the Tasiast mine in Mauritania, an off-grid mine was powered by an inefficient fuel source and prone to regular breakdowns, incurring huge maintenance costs. With a life expectancy of the mine another decade, there was a need for alternative power for the longer term, and to alleviate the cost of short-term supply of diesel as subject to price volatility.

‘We offered a solution that was easy to integrate into their current power mix. Given it was a rental solution, it also gave the owners breathing space and time to review longer term power options for the remaining life of the mine,’ says Lewis.

The use of hybrid power solutions at mines is only set to increase, while investment will continue to be driven by innovation in green technology.

Finding nimble solutions, such as hybrids or microgrids, provides companies with the agility needed to respond to the quickly-evolving energy landscape.

Electric collaboration - Citiq Prepaid works with developers & electricians to build partnerships that deliver results

66 Prepaid electricity meters are one of the smartest ways of ensuring that a property’s utility consumption is managed accurately and fairly. Property owners, estate managers and landlords can use these sub-metering solutions to refine their offering to their tenants across multiple industries and markets, from the consumer to the retailer to the manufacturer, and to add value to the property services they provide. As these solutions grow increasingly popular for contractor and owner alike, it has become essential that they work with a company that understands their needs and provides a quality platform from which they can manage their properties and their utilities.

Citiq Prepaid is an established prepaid solutions provider with a solid foundation in electricity submetering and solutions. The company works closely with electrical contractors to provide them with the tools and support they need to ensure their clients invest into a sub-metering solution that’s relevant and reliable. They also work with property owners and developers to create comprehensive sub-metering installations that span entire developments.

‘We’ve just completed a significant project in the Eastern Cape with the installation of 111 prepaid meters to the Pier 14 development,’ explains Michael Franze, Managing Director at Citiq Prepaid. ‘Every flatlet on the renovated property has its own Citiq Prepaid meter keypad and distribution box so users can monitor their consumption at all times. The system also makes it easy for users to control their electricity consumption by purchasing tokens from a variety of approved outlets, while giving the body corporate and landlord a tidy alternative to managing multiple accounts.’

Citiq Prepaid worked closely with East London’s ARK Electrical to install the units across Pier 14, helping them to meet the deadlines and manage the installation.

volume 10 | issue 1 www.tobuild.co.za Throughout the process Citiq Prepaid has collaborated with both GRITprop Investment and with the electrical contractors to ensure that every part of the process is seamless.

‘We believe in igniting opportunities for small businesses, giving electrical contractors across the country a chance to grow their business and their reputation,’ concludes Franze. ‘This successful project underpinned our commitment to supporting small businesses while working closely with leading developers to create solutions that translate into satisfied tenants, tighter financial controls and reduced admin. It’s all about collaboration to drive benefits for everyone.’

Citiq Prepaid +27 (0)87 55 111 11 sales@citiqprepaid.co.za www.citiqprepaid.co.za