The importance of following the correct methodologies and protocols in measuring and verifying energy savings is becoming a prerequisite for ensuring successful application of financial incentives. Fund managers of incentive schemes want to be sure that the energy that is being saved, which they are paying for, is in fact true savings. Measuring such a saving is actually the … [Read more...]
Why Nersa cut Eskom’s price hike
Thembani Bukula, chairman of the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) electricity sub-committee, explained why the regulator cut Eskom’s price hike from the requested 16 percent a year for five years to 8 percent a year. Returns: Eskom asked for returns of 7.9 percent. Nersa limited this to an average of about 3 percent. That reduces the returns to R137 billion instead … [Read more...]
British company turns footsteps into electricity
Think of the millions of footsteps the average person takes in a lifetime. Now, multiply that by the billions of people on the planet. That’s a lot of steps. And consider this: each step produces a brief, but significant, amount of energy. What if there were a way to harness that kinetic energy, and turn it into usable electricity? A British company called Pavegen thinks it has … [Read more...]
Solar can help private sector overcome price hikes
Solar energy can help South African companies overcome financial implications of future price hikes. Particularly medium-size businesses can benefit. However, in order for sun-generated energy to become mainstream among the South African private sector, the solar industry has to start marketing it as a practical need-to-have solution instead of a green, nice-to-have … [Read more...]
Renewable energy an ‘embryonic industry’ in SA
South Africa is in a good position to capitalise on and develop a solar energy market as a result of the country’s abundant solar resources and positive irradiation coverage, compared with other active solar energy producers worldwide, says global engineering and development consultancy Mott MacDonald solar energy team leader Stavros Tassos. “Political commitment to … [Read more...]
Energy saving technologies could save the day
Hunger and poverty go hand in hand. Every cent saved could mean a lot to a starving child; so reduction of fuel costs could mean the difference between going to bed without food or having a meal. Energy saving technologies abound…from old fashioned ideas such as a Haybox or Wonderbox to a myriad of designs for rocket stoves. However, this knowledge is not being passed on to … [Read more...]
Energy hikes spell hard times for poorer households
Eskom’s planned electricity tariff hikes of 16% each year for the next five years has not been received well. At the meetings held around the country with the National Electricity Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) to make a final decision about the tariff increases, NUMSA and other smaller organisations held demonstrations to show their disapproval with the proposed changes. … [Read more...]
NUMSA plans Eskom price hike protest
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) will protest against Eskom’s proposed 16% electricity increase, the union said on Sunday. A snap electricity cost survey conducted by Numsa in November found that of the 10 companies with energy-intensive production surveyed, 37.5% anticipated closing down as a result of the proposed increase. The union was … [Read more...]
Civil society marches against nuclear energy
Thousands of people from civil society groups across Gauteng took part in a march to protest against South Africa’s nuclear expansion plans. The activists marched from Pieter Roos Park to Beyers Naude Square, where they handed over a memorandum to the Presidency. Smaller protests and placard demonstrations happened simultaneously in Durban, Cape Town and … [Read more...]
Working together to reduce energy consumption
Reducing the energy consumption of a building takes a concerted combined effort from the property owners, managers, tenants and staff - but is a very worthwhile exercise, both from a financial and an environmental point of view. This is according to Martin Bester, Managing Director of Intersect Sectional Title Services, the sectional title specialist subsidiary of the Spire … [Read more...]
Uniting for a nuclear-free SA
Earthlife Africa-Jhb, Greenpeace Africa, Ceasefire, Peace and justice and SA Council of Churches are among several unions and community organsiations that will take part in a major march on Saturday 10 of November to voice their opposition to South Africa’s nuclear expansion. The civil society organisations will hand over a memorandum to the department of Energy demanding … [Read more...]
SA to beef up renewable energy
The government is poised to sign its first contracts with independent power producers (IPPs) for the provision of 1400 megawatts of renewable energy. Briefing the media in Pretoria on Monday, Energy Minister Dipuo Peters said the contracts - with 28 preferred bidders - would be signed on November 5 and 6. “Today, I am pleased to announce... that South Africa is ready to … [Read more...]
Biogas: how, why and where
The first Biogas SA 2012 Seminar, to be held in Joburg, is set to be a day of practical, hands-on information. The following essentials will be covered: the basic concept of biogas how it works who can benefit from it what is the most appropriate application for specific feed stocks what financing options, grants and rebates are available for … [Read more...]
