Under the terms of the agreement , EP , the prominent energy solutions company and pioneer of CaaS in South Africa , decommissioned two separate , outdated refrigeration plants at the Hartbeespoort facility , building a separate , central refrigeration plant . In addition to meeting Sovereign ’ s efficiency and cooling needs , the new plant would also have to adhere to stringent noise level regulations . SOLUTIONS THROUGH PARTNERSHIP
Per the CaaS model , EP invested 100 % of the capital – approximately R92 million – to design and construct the plant , and will operate and maintain it for 15 years , shifting operational risks such as downtime , efficiency , and service and maintenance away from the poultry producer .
“ We ’ re exceptionally proud of the work we ’ ve done – and continue to do – for Sovereign ,” says EP ’ s Coenrad Ehlers , GM Asset Management . “ We have replaced outdated infrastructure with a new , state-ofthe-art ammonia refrigeration system that ticks so many efficiency and sustainability boxes . The true value , however , will be seen in how Sovereign will now be able to invest the capital and human resources that they ’ ve freed up into their core business , especially increasing production .”
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Sovereign ’ s Engineering Manager , Stephan Oosthuizen , notes the ease of executing the project despite production challenges : “ EP managed to reduce disruptions to the absolute minimum , taking into account that Sovereign produces six days a week , as well as the challenges of transferring loads from the old plant to the new .”
“ YOU CANNOT MANAGE WHAT YOU CANNOT MEASURE ”
The new system features a three-stage ammonia refrigeration process with evaporative condensers and water-based oil cooling . The combined refrigeration capacity is 5.47 MWR .
Several elements have been included to boost operational efficiency and sustainability , including a master control system that optimises the entire refrigeration process , compressors and condensers that are equipped with variable speed drives for superior energy management , as well as a heat reclaim mechanism that utilises waste heat to preheat water , reducing boiler fuel use .
Secure remote access to the plant and a 24 / 7 monitoring service enables a proactive approach to sustaining plant efficiency and allows for a proactive approach to operation and maintenance .
Oosthuizen asserts : “ You can ’ t manage what you can ’ t measure , and EP ’ s monitoring
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All images supplied by Energy Partners .
GEA LT compressor 3 .
An ammonia gauge .
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Part of the plant room panel . |