Local medium voltage (MV) ac motor and transformers manufacturer ArmCoil Afrika and engineering services company Schneider Electric have partnered on the provision of a skid mobile substation product line that will provide continuous power to a large mining conglomerate’s South African operations.

The companies have already completed two skid substations (SKID 961 and SKID 979), with the third and fourth units currently in the manufacturing process. A SKID is a prefabricated substation, assembled on a self-supporting transformer, creating an easily transportable design that can be quickly energised.

ArmCoil is the main manufacturing contractor, providing the MV solutions as well as super structure enclosures for the skid substations while Schneider Electric is the preferred low voltage and MV switchgear partner which includes the company’s PremSet Solid Shielded Insulated System switchgear series.

“This is an exciting project for ArmCoil. As a small, family-owned business it is fantastic to not only be contracted to a global mining leader but also partner with a renowned multinational such as Schneider Electric to manufacture the SKID substation product line,” says ArmCoil commercial manager Frank Flint.

“Together, Schneider Electric and ArmCoil have combined their strengths to produce skid substations based on industry best practices, from design to installation. It is a win-win scenario not only for the mine but also our partnership,” adds Schneider’s services segment business development manager and channel sales manager Cecil Maartens.

Skid Operations

Considering the practical application of the substations, the companies explain that they are transported by trucks to the various mining pits where mining equipment can then be plugged into the SKID.

Generally, the substations are used to power drilling rigs and electrical excavators which are then used to fill the trucks with rocks, rubble and ore and transported for processing.

The SKID substation manufacturing processes also fall in line with International Organisation for Standardisation’s standards, which dictate that equipment should be continuously improved to enhance operations and operational safety.

“The SKID substations are now in their third evolution, and with each new unit, we enhance their operations based on the feedback we receive from the mine and our own learnings. It is a dynamic and collaborative process,” explains Flint.

“Our combined strengths allow us to build an improved SKID. It is an exciting partnership that sees engineers from both teams coming together to build units that readily meet the mine’s mobile substation needs,” Maartens adds.

The SKID 979 substation featured enhancements such as a super enclosure that is now made with clear view materials that improves visibility into the units, as well as a roof which improves robustness in inhospitable environments near the mining pits.

The SKID also includes the newest iteration of Schneider Electric’s auto recloser.

The SKID substation project is estimated to last another three years with two to three units earmarked each year.