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CTS was successful in winning the tender for the refurbishment of the transformer oil storage plant at the van Eck Power station. The project included the following:

1. Cleaning and painting of all oil tanks
2. Automating the entire plant
3. Installation of oil filtration system

Old as well as new transformer oil is stored in different tanks. Color codes on the tank clearly indicate what type of oil is stored in each tank. Old oil – oil removed from transformers during service – is stored until enough has been collected before it is sold.

Clean/new oil is stored in the other thanks that will be used for refilling transformers during routine services. Humidity tends to form inside the oil when it is stored for longer periods. This humidity as well as other dirt particles are removed my means of the Alfa Laval Oil Filtration plant. The process is fully automated and PLC controlled. The operator merely is required to enter the quantity of oil that is to be filtered.

Radar level sensors are installed in each tank to monitor quantity on hand. Maintenance free breathers on each tank prevent access of water moisture into the tank and the buildup of dangerous gases.

A Coriolis custody transfer meter accurately indicates the quantity of old oil the is transferred to third party tankers for selling purposes.

A 71kW grid tied (Nampower ) PV system was installed at the Klein-Aus Vista Lodge just outside Aus. Remote Monitoring and Energy meter is included to obtain precise information about own consumption as well as exported power. This aids in future electrical reticulation upgrades and designs.

System Specifications are:

• 240 x 295W Canadian Solar PV modules
•  3 x Fronius Symo 20.0 – 3 Grid Inverter
• Shed roof mounting with structure for IBR roof sheeting
• AC & DC surge and Lightning protection
• Configured for remote monitoring

National Botanical Research institute approached CTS to upgrade two of their existing AWS to satellite communication and subsequent installation at Kanovlei in the Tsumkwe Area as well as Koichab Pan close to Lüderitz.

Communication is via Meteosat satellites and based on a “fire and forget” principal which unfortunately does not allow remote maintenance procedures.

The stations form part of the SASSCAL Weathernet and measure all important meteorological parameters.

Weather data can be viewed at: www.sasscalweathernet.org 

After successful completion of the Omusati off grid electrification project, CTS was successful in winning the bid for the second phase of containerized PV solutions for the Kunene region. With the experience gained from phase 1, the containers were optimized in many ways. The final design consisted custom build 20ft container by Namspace in Swakopmund.

Sites that were electrified in the Kunene region are:

• Otjitjekua School
• Otjiu School
• Otjiu Hostel
• Epupa School

The project included the following:

• Upgrading of all government building wiring as per national standard for 4 sites in the Kunene region:
• Manufacture, supply and install container power units for these sites.

The power containers consisted of ca 2.8kW of PV modules installed on the roof as well as 4,500 Ah of battery capacity. Five kVA inverter charger and two 70A BlueSolar Charge regulator all from Victron Energy complete the system. Remote monitoring of all sites is achieved by using the Victron Color Control GX unit.

CTS was awarded four tenders in 2015, to supply, deliver to site, install, test and commission of autoclaves throughout Namibia.

In addition to the 160L Steri Tech autoclaves, water softeners were installed to increase the life span of each unit and reduce overall maintenance cost.

A number of installation teams worked hard to complete the project within the stringent timeframe set by the client. Each site came with its own challenges such as:

1. Removing of existing units that were beyond repair
2. Low supply water pressure
3. Space limitations where the new units were to be installed
4. Breaking out of walls to fit new autoclave
   

This is a typical photovoltaic (PV) medium scale farm system found on many farms around Namibia. Over the past three years this system grew in PV size from 350Wpeak to ~1200Wpeak.

System specs are:

• PV modules with a total capacity of 1220Wpeak
• 1200VA, 24V Inverter charger
• 40A Solar Charge Regulator
• 360Ah battery bank@24V
• Battery Monitor showing: state of charge (%), charging/discharging current (A), Battery Voltage (V) and time to go (h)
• Switchgear for submersible pump control

The PV modules are mounted on frames facing true north for optimal energy harvesting. During times of limited sunshine, especially the rainy season, battery charging can be increased by starting the generator. Should the AC load increase behind the inverter rating, the generator can support the system to cater for the increased load. No automatic generator start function is included.

Furthermore a second PV system for the Farm workers has been installed to cater for lighting and a TV.

• 2x 90Wpeak PV modules
• 20A Solar Charge Regulator
• 2x 105Ah batteries
• 350VA, 12V inverter