Free Technical Workshops at EAPIC Expo in Nairobi Offer Practical Solutions and Training for Power Professionals

Nairobi, Kenya, August 15, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Two days of free practical workshops on energy efficiency, plant maintenance and clean energy solutions for the utility and large power users sector are offered during the upcoming East African Power Industry Convention (EAPIC) that is taking place from 3-4 September at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi.

“EAPIC is the longest running power conference and expo in East Africa because we continually strive to remain a relevant and practical gathering by the industry, for the industry, at a time when resources are under the spotlight,” says Irene Ochem, EAPIC programme director. “Therefore the EAPIC technical workshop programme offers practical solutions, lessons learnt from case studies and problem-solving mechanisms to assist power companies and utilities in improving their efficiency and productivity.”

She continues: “we want to invite the industry to come and learn and get their hands dirty and learn about the latest industry developments from the experts that we have brought here to share their best practice and experience. There are more than 10 sessions to choose from.”

The high-level conference and expo will gather more than 1000 attendees along with exhibitors showcasing the latest technologies, products and services across the entire energy value chain from generation, transmission, distribution, services and renewable energy solutions.

“Ample opportunity in the East African sub-region”
EAPIC’s Irene Ochem says the free, technical workshops are suitable for: project managers, electrical contractors/engineers, network operators, operations managers, energy managers, planning and technical managers, facility managers and maintenance managers; as well as business development managers, large power users and consultants.

She adds: “there is ample opportunity in the East African sub-region for hydro, geothermal, wind and solar power to reduce fossil fuel use and power plant operating costs. Renewable energy will therefore continue to play an important and a significant role in the region for the next decades.”

According to Irene Ochem it is important for the large energy users and manufacturers to understand the tools and methods of knowing and reducing energy consumption. She expands: “participants in the technical workshops will understand tested methods of measuring and fixing organisational energy wastes in order to reduce spend and boost their profitability.”

Workshop programme on the expo floor:
Wednesday 3 September:

• 11:30 Renewable energy and energy efficiency financing: Opportunities and lessons for large power users
- Jeff Murage, Project Coordinator RTAP for Financing Renewables and Energy Efficiency, Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), Kenya

• 12:00 Grid integration of renewables in sub-Saharan Africa: Lessons learned from Lake Turkana Wind Park project in Kenya
- Frederik Groeman, Principal Consultant, Power System Planning, DNV GL Energy, The Netherlands

• 13:30 Understanding the performance capabilities of Diesel-Hybrid Systems
- Fabrice Nicolas, Sales Manager, Energy Power Generation & Electricals, Siemens, South Africa

• 14:00 Benefits of re-injection in geothermal systems: Case study of Olkaria
- Felix Mwarania, Reservoir Engineer, Kenya Generation, Kenya

• 14:30 Condition-based maintenance: Transformer fleet management
- Udo Schulz, Business Development Manager, MASCHINENFABRIK REINHAUSEN GMBH, Germany

• 15:30 Power supply flexibility and reliability for Kenya
- Peter Mungai, General Manager, Business Strategy, Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), Kenya

Thursday 4 September:
• 10:00 Clean & sustainable energy: Siemens Transmission Solutions has the answer
- Shamsher Singh, Head of Sales, Energy Transmission Solutions, Siemens, South Africa

• 11:00 Mini Hydro: A quick win for Africa
- Dean Pratt, General Manager Africa, Marelli Motori, South Africa

• 11:30 Innovations to ensure highest availability and cost efficiencies for rural networks
- Enock Momanyi, Regional Sales Manager Eastern Africa, Siemens, South Africa

• 12:00 Maintenance of assets to secure reliable energy supply
- Naim Mahmoudi, Area Sales Manager, MASCHINENFABRIK REINHAUSEN GMBH, Germany

• 13:00 Commercial aspects of electricity transmission after the completion of interconnectors.
- Joe Ager, Chief Manager, Corporate Services, Kenya Transmission Company (KETRACO), Kenya

Platform to engage
EAPIC will once again gather the region’s leading power utilities, investors and technology and service providers as the event returns to Nairobi. Kenyan utilities KENGEN, Kenya Power, KETRACO and the Ministry of Energy are key partners. Large East African utilities such as Tanesco, UEGCL, UMEME and regulators will also be present again this year.

Platinum sponsors for the event are Kenya Power, Siemens and PwC.

Event dates and location:
Conference, expo and workshops: 3-4 September
Pre-conference workshops: 2 September
Site visits: 5 September
Executive Insider Briefing, Uganda: 1-2 September (arriving 31 August)
Location: Safari Park Hotel, (off The Thika Super Highway), Nairobi, Kenya