Demand for gas as an alternative energy source across Africa is increasing, as more cost-effective energy solutions are required than the traditional coal-based energy strategy, gas technology supplier Energas product manager Laetitia Jansen van Vuuren tells Mining Weekly.

Energas specialises in the supply of complete skid-mounted, high-pressure customer metering stations for natural gas. In response to the growing industry demand for such energy solutions, the company relocated to a new, larger facility in the industrial hub of Jet Park, Gauteng, in April.

Jansen van Vuuren says the new facility is much bigger than the previous one and offers more workshop and office space.

Load-shedding and increasing electricity tariffs have put pressure on the South African industry to consider alternative energy sources that are more reliable and cost effective, she adds.

The company supplies high-end and specialised equipment to the natural gas industries in Southern Africa. At least 20% of the company’s business comes from African countries – mainly in Mozambique and Ghana.

“We are positioned to offer cost-saving solutions to the industry, given our ability to combine power generation with heat-recovery and gas-heating systems,” she explains.

The new facility provides enough workshop space for large-scale projects. It also offers ample space for an expected increase in personnel to improve quality, delivery and performance.

“Providing innovative turnkey solutions and services for our customers is a key value deliverable that ensures Energas meets its business objectives,” she adds.

Further, piped gas from Mozambique was previously the only source of natural gas to South Africa, which placed a cap on natural gas’ growth potential in South Africa.

However, importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) into Mozambique and the consequent project opportunities it creates is a new development that excites the company, she adds.

Jansen van Vuuren says imported LNG is a big boost for the gas market in Southern Africa for two main reasons. Firstly, there is a shortage of piped gas and the LNG will solve this problem; secondly, LNG can be transported to far-flung areas.

“A major disadvantage used to be that only industries positioned close to the pipe network could benefit from using gas. However, with LNG on the map for South Africa, it opens up many opportunities to businesses that are not located close to gas pipelines.”

She believes that, with the new facility, Energas is better positioned to offer engineering solutions to the growing gas market in Southern Africa.

Moreover, by fabricating, testing and assembling the skids in a workshop in South Africa, then shipping them as a unit to site, the company eliminates most of the risks – such as skills shortages, security and regulatory challenges, as well as access to materials and equipment – which are commonly encountered during African trade.

In Mozambique

Fortunately, Covid-19 has not had a significant impact on the business, Jansen van Vuuren notes.

Just before the outbreak of the pandemic, Energas Technologies supplied high-pressure customer metering solutions to a key customer in Mozambique.

The skid-mounted stations that were supplied were designed, shop-fabricated and assembled, fully tested and packaged before being transported to site.

The skid included filtration, pressure reduction, over-pressure protection and metering. The station supplied to Mozambique was aimed at reducing the pressure from 55 bar inlet line pressure to between one and three bar outlet pressure for the user within one stage of pressure reduction. The station had a single run with a flow capacity of 200 Sm3/h.

Jansen van Vuuren says a second run can be added for redundancy if required at a later stage. The station included the skid frame, piping, insulation joints, a pressure regulator valve, a slam-shut valve, pressure relief valves, gauges and isolation valves. Moreover, it was designed according to the ASME B31.8 for gas transmission and distribution piping systems.

“Natural gas, as an alternative energy source to electricity, diesel, coal or liquefied petroleum gas, is a very reliable, clean, safe and affordable solution for industrial users requiring energy for heating processes. “Natural gas can be supplied by a pipeline network or by means of compressed natural gas cylinders,” she says.

In South Africa

An international manufacturer awarded a contract to Energas in September for the delivery of a turnkey natural gas power plant to be built in South Africa.

The project entails the supply and installation of a new gas reticulation pipeline, gas engines, a new gas-fired steam boiler, a waste-heat boiler that will use exhaust heat from the engines to produce steam, interconnecting piping, a new gas engine building and associated electrical infrastructure.

“Energas employs graduated mechanical, electrical and process engineers and technicians with more than 70 years of experience in the industry. “When we handle large turnkey projects, we focus on the project management and quality assurance, and we use consultants and our suppliers to do detail design,” says Jansen van Vuuren.

She urges businesses across Southern Africa to consider the natural gas energy route because of the documented benefits.

“We believe that several industries should consider self-generation using natural gas. “It will reduce their energy costs and also make them more independent from the grid, especially when combined with heat recovery. They can save a lot of money over a few years and ensure that their production is not affected by power outages,” she concludes.