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Quietest switchboards for the quietest zone

SGC -SwitchGear Company, subsidiary of Het Veer, is proud to announce that, as a supplier of medium voltage cabins, it has been allowed to participate in the SKAO project through its Australian partner NHP. The SKAO builds the largest and most capable radio telescopes on behalf of the international community. The telescopes are being built in Australia and South Africa.

The SKAO project is a global initiative to build the world’s largest radio telescopes, spread across sites in Australia and South Africa. The telescopes, called SKA-Low and SKA-Mid, receive low and medium frequencies, respectively, and are built in remote locations to minimize radio interference. The telescope in Australia will be placed on the ancestral land of the Wajarri Yamaji, thanks to an indigenous land use agreement.

The SKA telescopes will generate huge amounts of data that will require the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre in Western Australia to house a new supercomputing facility. Australia contributes 14% of total construction and operating costs.

The SKAO is an advanced Big Data facility for radio astronomy that brings together countries around the world. The goal is to build and use advanced radio telescopes to transform our understanding of the universe. With headquarters in the United Kingdom and telescopes in South Africa and Australia, SKAO is becoming a leading research infrastructure for radio astronomy. Global collaboration and innovation will provide scientific opportunities for the international astronomical community, making SKAO a key player in advancing knowledge about the universe in the coming decades.

After 30 years of preparation, construction of the SKA telescopes has begun and the first data are expected to be available in 2027. The telescope will test Einstein’s theory of gravity and investigate extraterrestrial life.

Australian companies will contribute to the construction of the SKA telescopes, providing opportunities for technological development and improving their competitiveness. Currently, 16 countries are involved in the SKA project, with Australia as the coordinator. The project promotes scientific discoveries in areas such as cosmology, black holes, the origin of the universe and possible extraterrestrial life.

More than 1,000 engineers and scientists from 20 countries are involved in designing the telescopes, including SKA precursor telescopes such as the ASKAP radio telescope and the Murchison Widefield Array. The project will spawn new technologies with broad applications beyond astronomy.

NRP

With our partner NHP, we also meet the needs of customers in Australia and New Zealand.

NHP is a company with more than 55 years of experience in the electrical and engineering industry, with more than 20 offices in Australia and New Zealand. They understand the specific needs of their clients’ projects, regardless of their size, thanks to their local presence and commitment. By choosing NHP, you gain access to a wealth of expertise in electrical and automation products, systems and solutions. Although they have more than 20,000 product lines on the market, they are more than just a supplier of products. Together with their extensive network of global partners, they offer choice in products, technology, service and support, and choice in how you communicate with them, in person or online, when and where you need it.

NHP achieves an annual turnover of 550 million Australian dollars, supported by a team of 800 dedicated professionals working hard every day. The commitment to lasting client relationships is evident in our successful and decades-long partnership with NHP.

“Built to Last”

The medium voltage panels to be installed in Australia are DF-2 type and are manufactured with a strong focus on durability. This product range is specially designed to perform long-lasting and efficient, which is crucial for a project of this size. The decision to partner with SGC highlights the SKAO project’s commitment to an environmentally friendly and future-proof approach.

Arc Killer for safety is paramount. The equipment has an Arc Killer option, which not only protects the plant itself, but also ensures operator safety. Our Arc Killer is a device that prevents or stops electrical sparks. These sparks, which can occur when switching power, can cause fire and damage. The Arc Killer quickly detects and suppresses lightning within 48 milliseconds, which is 8x faster than blinking your eyes. Our arc killer reduces risk, protects electrical systems and thus contributes to a safe working environment, which is crucial for this project.

SGC and NHP: reliable partners for the SKAO project SGC is pleased to play a crucial role in the SKAO project.

By providing reliable and sustainable energy, we support the scientific community in gaining insights that will further enhance our knowledge of the universe.

SwitchGear Company (SGC) of Landegem is venturing into the future with Australian Radioastronomy Project.

In the vast heart of the Australian desert, where the sun shines relentlessly, we, SwitchGear Company (SGC) are at the forefront of an exciting new era in radio astronomy. We are proud to announce our involvement in the world’s most ambitious project: the construction of an observatory with as many as 131,000 radio telescopes. SGC, with more than 40 years of experience in medium-voltage cells, has been selected to provide high-voltage cabins critical to powering these impressive antennas. It is an honor to bring our technological expertise and durable materials, including thick copper that stands the test of time, to a project aimed not only at understanding the origins of the universe, but also the possible discovery of extraterrestrial life.

“Thanks to our close collaboration with an Australian partner, with whom we have completed several projects, we are honored to be part of this groundbreaking initiative,” said SGC’s Sophie Vandoorne. “Our high-voltage cabins will not only power the antennas, but will also withstand the extreme temperatures of the desert, where the thermometer easily reaches 50 degrees Celsius.” To support this project, SGC hired additional staff to produce the switchboards, a critical component of our high-voltage cabinets.

“The assembly of switchboards is a bottleneck job here, so we hired skilled Filipino professionals in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy to complete this work.”

The collaboration between SGC and the Australian Observatory is a testament to our commitment to innovation and global collaboration. As we assume this pioneering role, we are ready to uncover the mysteries of the universe and make a lasting impact on the landscape of radio astronomy, hand in hand with our valued partners. We are ready to take on a pioneering role in unraveling the mysteries of the universe and, together with our partners, to make a lasting impact on the world of radio astronomy.

Copyright SKAO, 2023

Read all articles published on this project:

Read the HLN article here.

Read the News Sheet article here.

Read the VRT article here.

Watch the Channel Z TV coverage here.

Read the press release.

More info on the SKAO project?

Our partner NHP.