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POWER
Power-Gen Africa
Bringing global energy expertise to Africa Energy industry professionals network and share knowledge at the first Power-Gen Africa conference and exhibition
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ower professionals are preparing to connect. The inaugural Power-Gen Africa and the co-located Renewable Energy World Africa events will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 6-8 November 2012. Nigel Blackaby, Conference Director for PennWell's International Power Group, says that the three conference tracks at this inaugural event have been developed in order to address the information requirements of stakeholders in sub-Saharan Africa's power generation industry. The conference tracks cover strategic concerns and technology issues, and will be associated with renewables at the Renewable Energy World Africa event.
The Strategic Track address topics including: Energy Security. ● Power Sector Regulation. ● Financing Power Developments. ● Investment Risk Mitigation. ● Planning & Operational Challenges. ● Industrial Power Generation. ● Capacity Building, Skills & Training. ● The Challenge of Rural Electrification. ●
Topics on the Technology Track agenda include: Steam Technology. ● Gas Turbine Technology. ● Flexible Power Generation. ● Fuel Quality Issues. ● Operations & Maintenance. ● Emissions Control. ● Lifetime Extensions and Retrofits. ● Performance Optimisation. ●
The Renewable Track brings attention to: ● Renewable Energy Policies for Sustainable African Development. ● Wind Project Development. ● The Future for Hydropower. ● Geothermal Energy. ● Opportunities Arising from Hydro Rehabilitation, Modernisation and Upgrade. ● Bioenergy Development – Domestic, Commercial & Industrial.
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Rural Electrification from Renewable Sources. Creating and Maintaining a Strong Solar Industry in Africa.
Developing skills at the conference Blackaby confirms, also, that the Power-Gen Africa conference has gained support from the South Africa Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE), in the form of credits that can be turned into opportunities for engineers to further their professional education whilst networking with their peers. He says, "The energy challenges in SubSaharan Africa are many and they impact seriously on the overall performance of the region's social and economic indicators. Improving the added value of African products will require modern energy provision for manufacturing, processing, storage and transportation. Energy is also needed for the development of small-scale enterprises, which can contribute to the region's economic survival and growth. Power-Gen Africa and Renewable Energy World Africa will look closely at how this can be achieved." Key exhibitors in the power sector The exhibition runs parallel to the conference. Blackaby notes, "The exhibition offers a unique opportunity for African power industry players to meet their international counterparts, to explore, research, engage, discuss and debate as well as to source and view new technologies, products and services from around the world." The exhibition has attracted exhibitors from more than 20 countries, including international firms such as: ● Ansaldo Energia of Italy. ● Pratt & Whitney of the USA. ● Siemens of Germany. ● Tiveni of India. ● Wartsila of Finland. ● WorleyParsons of Bulgaria and England. ● Andritz Hydro of Austria.
African Review of Business and Technology - November 2012
Both global and local Participating as an exhibitor is expected to reap rewards for local companies, which will have the opportunity to demonstrate a competitive edge to influential decisionmakers, to promote new technologies, products and services, and to generate sales leads - and explore business opportunities. The key driver for small firms is to meet new partners in dynamic surroundings, to enahce commercial prospects. And the potential is apparent. Says Blackaby, "SubSaharan Africa consumes just 2.7 per cent of world commercial primary energy. In terms of electrical energy use. The gap is even more glaring with per-capita electricity consumption in many Sub-Saharan African countries at the rate of 1/100th that of the USA. Africa's potential as a growing economic force is dependent upon adequate power supplies and the opportunities for developing the required infrastructure are considerable. ■ www.powergenafrica.com
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