Ngong Wind Power - Kenya

Installed Capacity: 5.1 Mega Watts

Commisioning Year: 2009

Wind Turbines: 6

Output of each turbine: 850kW

Model: Vestas V52

Main Contractor TPF-Econoler SA (Belgium)

Location:Ngong Hills, 22km SW of capital, Nairobi - Kenya.

Standing tall at a height of 50m from the ground, the wind turbines rotate at the winds pace in a bid to generate Kenya's source of Wind Power.The Ngong Wind Power Project which was commissioned in August 2009, is Kenya's largest Wind Power Station but will come second once the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project (LTWP) is completed.

The 6 Turbines, each with a maximum output of 850kW produce a total of 5.1MW of clean energy into the grid.For the Vestas V52 Model turbines, KenGen executed a contract for the implementation of Ngong Hills Wind Power project with TPF-Econoler SA (TPFE) of Belgium on 29th October 2007.

Kenya receives sh.3.79 Billion to finance regional energy projects

Kenya has recently aquired  a 3.97billion loan form the African Development Bank. This is part of a regional grids of five countries.The five countries include Uganda, Burundi, DRC, Congo & Rwanda. Speaking during the signing ceremony, at The Treasury building, Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta, said the project will enhance cross border sharing of electricity and development at low cost power resources. The loab deal was signed by AfDB representative: Mrs. Domina Buzingo.

This loan will facilitate:

1. Upgrading of 769km of 220kV and 110kV Power lines.
2. Construction & Reinforcement of 17 transformers to interconnect the grids of the Nile Equatorial Lake Countries.
3. Construction of a 220kV double circuit transmission line from the border of Uganda to the substation at Lessos - which shall be expanded with additional transformers & switchgear
4. Uganda - Rwanda interconnection, upgrading of the Burundi, DRC and Rwanda interconnection lines.
5. Operational Costs.

One of the major potential sources of power is the Iinga Dam in DRC which has a potential of 40GW

How your neighbourhood transformer works

Generally as one of the most preyed upon units in the electric industry, the domestic or neighborhood transformer serves a crucial role in ensuring that we get a constant flow of electricity.In the electric industry it is commonly referred to as a Step-down transformer since it does exactly that at all times besides protecting consumers.

The main purpose of these electrical machines is to provide a step-down mechanism for the incoming voltage from the primary substation, located away from consumers.It should be noted that it steps down voltage and steps up current to feed the consumer directly.It is the last in the line of machines that modify the voltage or current before going to small consumers.

In countries that use the BS 240/415V Standard, their transfomers usually receive and incoming supply of 11kV from the overhead feeders.It is then from this 11kV is is able to step it down to 240/415V 3phase voltage.
One major drawback of these machines is the heat energy generated therefore it does not operate at full efficiency.It is also prone to vandalism, because it houses a rather rare expensive oil that is used as a cooling mechanism. One good as advantage of this machine however is that it does not require regular maintenance and can withstand the weather elements as long as the mounting is mechanically sound.

The Star-Delta 3-phase Motor Starting Method

The Star Delta starting method is a motor starting mechanism that minimizes the large amount of starting current that motors draw in. The Star Delta, as the name suggests basically involves feeding the motor with 1/sq.root3 (58%) of the full load current until it attains speed then applying the full load current. This method is commonly referred to as "Soft Starting" the motor, For this to work the whole set-up requires 3 contactor i.e The Star Contactor, The Delta Contactor & The Main Contactor.However for the motor to be started in Star Delta, its internal connection at the terminal box has to be wired in Delta-giving it capability of receiving the full-load current at any instant.

Traditionally, in many regions there was a requirement that all motor connections be fitted with a reduced voltage starter for motors greater than 4KW 5HP.This was to curb the high inrush of starting currents associated with starting induction motors.
Advantages of this method is low or reduced cost as compared to other methods...

KPLC opts for Non-Oil based transformers

The Kenya Power & Lighting Company (KPLC) , Kenya's largest power transmission and distribution company, has embarked on an initiative to replace its transformers with non-oil based types. This is in response to rampant vandalism of its convectional transformers.KPLC has ordered for 100 dry type transformers which are to be installed in Kiambu, Nyeri, Thika, Dagoretti Corner, Ruiru, Gatundu, Limuru and Kitengela towns which are prone to transformer theft.

The Reality

According to the firm's Operations and Maintenance manager, KPLC faces losses of  up to Ksh.600 Million per year and economy losses of Ksh.2 Billion.These vandalism cases are mainly transformer oil theft but in recent times they have involved to the entire unit itself! I must say that the thieves have upgraded their business indeed.How the thieves manage to offload the 200kg unit form the poles remains a mystery to me.It would require a crane to do the tedious job.

Industrial Attachment 2

After a pre-mature exit from KenGen Ol-Karia Geothermal, I landed myself at Power Technics Limited - Mombasa Road (Kenya).

I have always wanted to be here and so am going to make the most out of this opportunity.

Power Technics was established in 1982 to integrate its core activities know-how and experience into superior quality products.

Power Technics delivers a full project package, from design implementation to after sales service. With a dedicated staff of over 200 people, Power technics has enjoyed sustained growth and success. Whatever the projects - large office complexes, steel industries, cement industries, plastic industries, national street lighting schemes - Power technics provides an integrated solution with its core activity of electrical engineering technology, superior sheet metal engineering technology, automation and systems.

My period in this company is to last 8weeks+ and I am most overjoyed to be in this wonderful place.
Power Technics Home

Industrial Attachment : KenGen Olkaria Geothermal Power Station

As part of my training I am supposed to attend practical hours at a company of my choice for approximately 100days.During this time I should be exposed to market quality machines and put into practical what I’ve been learning through.
Welcome to Industrial Attachment Series of posts.
After successful I landed in KenGen Olkaria Geothermal Power Station. Being the only in Africa, I feel privileged being here and brushing shoulders with great engineers in this place.

The Power Station
The Olkaria Geothermal Power Station is managed by KenGen, a Government Parastatal which is responsible for all state power stations. This unique power station is located on the floor of The Great Rift Valley near Lake Naivasha. The chief main source of energy is high pressure stream from the ground which is used to drive turbines to produce electricity. There are currently 3 power stations in this field ie Olkaria 1 (KenGen), Olkaria 2 (KenGen), Olkaria 3 (Orpower IPP)
A combined 105MW is derived from the field. Future expansions are underway to increase the output to 200MW harnessing the full potential of Geothermal Power. The Olkaria geothermal field spans a great area and it is located within the Hell’s Gate National Park, approximately 120km from the Capital Nairobi.

Maker Faire Africa 2010 - UoN

On Friday 27th and Saturday 28th the University of Nairobi played host to a very wonderful event that brought innovative makers together to showcase their works and share ideas.I happened to go to the climax event on Saturday and I was amazed at the creativity of young minds bound to change this world as we know it in a night.The Make Faire event has been running for some time and has provided young makers a launchpad for taking their wonderful creations to a whole new level.
As i made my way though the exhibitions, I made a few stops to ask questions and take a few pictures at the creations.

Specifically, Maker Faire Africa focuses on the following:

----Brighten the light on local examples of the “fabrication” ethos

----Provide mechanisms to incubate these innovators and their products to a point where they can be taken to market

----Connect refined plans to disseminate innovations with...

Kenyan Cabinet approves a 421MW Power Generation Programme

The power shortage in Kenya is set to ease following Tuesday’s move by the Cabinet to approve a major generation programme.

Under the New Planned Power Generation Capacity Programme, six power projects are to be initiated this year.They include:

21MW Songoro Hydropower Project.
10MW Tana Hydropower Project.
5MW Ngong Windpower Project.
80MW Early Geothermal Power Project.
25MW Kindaruma Upgrade.
280MW Olkaria 1 and Olkaria 4.

 “In this regard Cabinet forwards for parliamentary approval the establishment of an escrow guarantee fund for semi-concessional loans for external borrowing by KenGen and Kenya Electricity Transmission Company from EIB and KFW to finance the additional power generation of 421 megawatts,” a statement issued by the Presidential Press Service said.

Community Power Centers (CPC) : UNIDO

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in partnership with other stakeholders has been working on a project of lighting up Kenya using electricity generated from renewable sources. The energy generated is taken to a village power center that acts as a community development center.Once electricity is at the center, it is used for different applications. Presently, unto 2Billion people lack access to modern energy mainly those living in of-grid areas.

The Community Power Centers Project
The community power project is a source of energy powered by zero-emission hybrid renewable energy sources such as:
 Micro-hydro, Mini-hydro
 Bio-gas