Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has commissioned the first ever Maximum Demand Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system aimed at monitoring and controlling maximum demand across substations at a cost of US$ 265,000. The system was installed in partnership with BBEnergy.
Prior to 2020, the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) provided signals for Nchanga, Konkola, and Nkana for 30-minute maximum demand totals. However, from June 2020, KCM has been depending on mimics of power usage and only had access to monthly 30-minute maximum demand profiles for the three business units at the beginning of each month from CEC.
KCM Acting Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Mewett said when he launched the system at the Central Energy Control Room in Nchanga that the installation of the unit is significant to the company’s operations because it will allow for control of the power usage.
“I’m proud of the power and energy team for coming up with this project and the fact that it has more advanced features which will guide the team to stay within the targeted maximum demand on a daily and monthly basis without exceeding the limit, and only pay and account for the utilized power,” Mr Mewett added, “A huge cost of business goes towards power as a result of the continuous pumping of water from underground and other operations and so it will be good to pay according to what we use.”
Acting General Manager Power and Energy Likonge Makai Mulenga noted that the platform supports proactive load management, reducing waste and unnecessary energy expenditure and also provides continuous improvements in energy efficiency and cost management.
“This achievement has come with a lot of benefits such as substantial cost Savings estimated near US$1 million per month in energy cost reductions through improved management and avoidance of over-demand scenarios,” Ms Mulenga added.
And KCM Manager Power and Energy Daniel Ngwata explained that the system provides real-time visibility and monitoring of energy usage across all business units through various functions such sending timely alerts and interventions via SMS and email to designated officials for immediate decision-making.
In his remarks BBEnergy Senior Project Engineer/Business Developer Leon Erasmus explained that his team will now start working on remote configuration of the system to allow WhatsApp and email notifications, reporting and full automation of the system. They will thereafter train the system operators.
