Latest news with #RosebankMall
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
How Rosebank Mall is paying less for electricity and fighting outages
A new hybrid energy system to power Rosebank mall An innovative sustainable energy management system was unveiled at Rosebank Mall this week, giving South Africans a glimpse of how to cut costs and keep the lights on in a city plagued by power outages. A first of its kind The newly unveiled energy project at Rosebank Mall is the first of its kind in South Africa. Multiple components have been incorporated into a microgrid, which not only allows for the mall to be fully operational during load shedding but also maximises cost savings. It does this by purchasing energy at lower off-peak rates and utilising it during peak times through energy arbitrage. This provides Rosebank Mall with more energy independence than your average commercial space. Just the batteries can power up the whole mall for two hours. When incorporating the generators, the durations expand. The generators used in this system were upgraded to blend natural gas with diesel. This reduces fuel consumption by more than 50% cutting fuel costs as well. Strategic perspective Wally Webber of Utenergy said the project shows that sustainability and energy returns don't have to be opposites. National utilities manager of Hyprop, Jacques Vosloo, excitedly said, 'Today we're not just switching on a power system, we're unveiling a bold new way of managing energy in a retail environment'. He further emphasised how this project is one of the largest of its kind in South Africa. It promises to deliver not only financial returns and savings but also provide their tenants with the certainty that they will be able to trade uninterrupted, regardless of what the grid is doing. The general manager of Rosebank Mall, Muhammad Varachia, said it is a turning point in South African retail infrastructure. 'What we've activated here in Rosebank Mall is what we believe to be the largest hybrid system in the retail sector. It features a 7.2 megawatt power battery, a 4.5 megawatt inverter and a dual fuel generator. All seamlessly managed by smart controls that optimise everything in real time.' Varachia indicated that it's not just about the hardware but what it delivers. Amongst others, resilience and relief were the qualities he attached to the system. ALSO READ: Eskom adds more power to electricity grid as G20 summit approaches From blueprint to breakthrough One of the leading contractors, Energenic, described how this project was about doing something that had never been done before on the continent. Director Robert Eustace further explained that 'it was about proving a new way of thinking about energy. 'It's not just another generator installation, a standard solar battery fit-out, it was a custom-built techno-economic energy project.' This power plant is set to be a huge change-maker for the operation of the mall. 'Yes, it's green. Yes, it's resilient. But most importantly, it makes financial sense. This system actively reduces operating costs,' he said. Anthony English, chief director of lithium battery manufacturer Freedom Won, was also in attendance. He explained that the only challenge they faced was the timeline. 'From when they placed the order to when we had to deliver was only about eight weeks. To prepare the whole pipeline and all the components, get them into the production line, quality control, testing and then deliver them and install. It was a challenging project but ultimately very successful.' Energy utility Darius Booyens of Egoli Gas described the launch as a milestone for what's happening in the energy market. 'It is not just about supplying gas; there's a bigger picture that supports a greener future. 'The gas power allows us to reduce the carbon emissions significantly, and it is a solution that enables energy to be generated on demand. It also reduces carbon emissions and contributes to both resilience and energy support.' The system also uses AI-enabled technology to monitor and detect anomalies such as leaks and interference by third parties.
Eyewitness News
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Eyewitness News
Accessible gaming experience aims to bring players of all levels into the spotlight
Palesa Manaleng 5 June 2025 | 14:03 Gamers enjoying themselves at the 2025 MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience pop-up at Rosebank Mall, Johannesburg. Picture: Chase Kaplan Photography. JOHANNESBURG – South Africa's biggest gaming tournament is breaking down barriers in the eSports scene, offering gamers of all levels a chance to compete. The 2025 MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience aims to democratise gaming, making eSports more accessible while growing a diverse, connected gaming community across the country through their new initiative. Gamers enjoying themselves at the 2025 MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience pop-up at Rosebank Mall, Johannesburg. Picture: Chase Kaplan Photography. 'So what we're doing in the space is we're trying to democratize gaming and eSports. So we deploy all of the kit, we deploy all of the equipment. We sit and run all of these national tournaments, and it costs you absolutely nothing. There's no pay to play, there are no qualifications that you need. You don't need any hardware. You don't even need connectivity. All you need to do is rock up where we are, and there's an opportunity for you to get exposed to this type of culture, play, socialise, engage, and maybe walk away with a 50,000 Rand gaming PC. So it's fun,' said Senior Specialist for gaming at MTN gaming and eSports, Brad Kirby. Over five months, eight Hyprop shopping centres such as Rosebank Mall, The Glen, Canal Walk and Somerset Mall will play host to a mix of online qualifiers and live in-mall events. Gamers enjoying themselves at the 2025 MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience pop-up at Rosebank Mall, Johannesburg. Picture: Chase Kaplan Photography. The pop-up offers everything from football simulations to VR rhythm battles. A new player can play the same game as an experienced player, with all ages playing alongside each other. 'This events idea was always, how can we bridge the that sort of divide between the casual person you know, generally interested in gaming, who maybe wants to compete and win something, and then the serious players, who are genuinely very good players and deserve the opportunity to be showcased in front of, you know, audiences and hopefully the media' said African Cyber Gaming League founder Clinton O'Shea. This year, the initiative sees the return of the EAFC 25™ National Football Tournament and the debut of the MTN Beat Saber Challenge, allowing gamers to chase two national titles. The top contenders will face off in the National Finals at Canal Walk from 17 to 21 September, with R50,000 on the line in the EAFC 25™ Football Final and more prizes up for grabs in the Beat Saber showdown. Gamers enjoying themselves at the 2025 MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience pop-up at Rosebank Mall, Johannesburg. Picture: Chase Kaplan Photography. Tournament Dates and Venues: Rosebank Mall Online Qualifier: 7 June | In-Centre Event: 13–16 June The Glen Online Qualifier: 22 June | In-Centre Event: 27–29 June Table Bay Mall Online Qualifier: 13 July | In-Centre Event: 18–20 July Clearwater Mall Online Qualifier: 3 August | In-Centre Event: 8–10 August Capegate Mall Online Qualifier: 31 August | In-Centre Event: 5–7 September Canal Walk (National Finals & Last Qualifier) Online Qualifier: 7 September | In-Centre Event: 17–21 September
