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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 

CTS was awarded the tender to install a water heating system for the Hilton Hotel Windhoek.

The system was installed according to the following specifications:

•    2x 250kW gas fired hot water boiler

•    2x 6800 liter hot water storage tank (also known as calorifier)

•    1x Danfoss Aqua drive 11kW for glycol circulation pump control

•    2x Automatic bypass valves to control water temperature inside tank

•    4x Hot water circulation pumps

The boilers as well as glycol circulation pumps and one hot water storage tank were installed in the boiler room located in the upper basement of the hotel. The second hot water storage tank is installed on the 9th floor of the Hilton Hotel. A glycol circulation system connects the two calorifier with the two gas fired hot water boilers. The glycol circulation pumps are controlled from one Danfoss Aqua drive with cascading functionality to control the pumping speed depending on the temperature in the glycol line.

Each hot water boiler is cycled on a 24 hour basis, should the glycol temperature fall below a predetermined threshold for certain period of time the second boiler will start automatically.

Automatic bypass valves guarantee that the water temperature of each calorifier is kept at a constant 60 – 65 degrees Celsius.

In early 2017 Stier Vente Chartered Accountant did take the decision to move to renewable energy. A 17kW grid feed system was installed on the roof of the office building to reduce the monthly electricity bill.

A total of 67 260W PV modules and a SMA SunnyTripower 17kW inverter was installed. Remote monitoring allows CTS to advise the client on possible faults and recommended actions to be taken.

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

CTS removed old and obsolete laundry equipment and installed new machines.

The installed equipment consisted of:

1. 2 x new Primus FS40 high speed washer extractors
2. 2 x Maytag energy saving tumble dryers
3. 1 x Miele through-feed drying ironers
4. inculding laundry trolleys, ironing trolleys and other small accessories
   
   

CTS has electrified two schools in remote northern Namibia funded by the Hanns Seidel Foundation with the aim to provide electricity for lighting, thus extending learning hours for learners well into the night. Both systems are based on BlueNova 4kWh lithium ion batteries, Victron Energy charge regulators and inverter technology. Remote monitoring is possible via the integrated Colour Control GX from Victron. Special attention has been given to the system configuration to prevent total battery shutdown. This is achieved by switching the inverter off at a predefined battery state of charge (typically 20%) and only reactivate the inverter once the batteries are charged beyond a predetermined threshold.

The systems where officially inaugurated by the Ambassador of Germany in June 2018.