Renewable Energy | savingwater.co.za

The age of cheap electricity is at an end

Posted by: Yes Solar Cape (Cape Town, South Africa) – 10 October 2010

The age of cheap electricity in South Africa is at an end. It may pay to consider alternative and renewable energy sources – or to invest in methods of increasing energy efficiency.

Soar water heating - evacuated tubes on frame

Unfortunately, there are several factors working against an easy transition from the Eskom grid to your own little energy island.

Sustainable and renewable energy engineer Frank Spencer, CEO of Emergent Energy, said the immediate problem is that we are in a transition period from cheap to more expensive electricity.

“Our electricity is still too inexpensive to drive behaviour change, but that will change. In addition, our houses are built so poorly that we use a lot of energy to run them, such as poor insulation on geysers, pipes and ceilings, and energy-inefficient appliances,” Spencer said.

“Houses are optimised for upfront costs, not running costs. As with almost every industry, life-cycle costs are seldom considered.”

Getting the best advice on investments in alternative energy sources is not easy, said Spencer. “Most companies are looking to sell some product, which makes it very difficult to get independent advice. Further, there is no reputable accreditation body that I am aware of.” Continue reading The age of cheap electricity is at an end

Roll-out of 100000 solar water heaters resumes

Posted by: Yes Solar Cape (Cape Town, South Africa) – 15 September 2010

Three ground-breaking renewable energy projects earmarked for Nelson Mandela Bay with a combined investment value of more than R1-billion are on track, with at least one to start being implemented before the end of the year, top project officials have revealed.

Solar hot water. Evacuated tube installation.

They include the resumed roll- out of up to 100000 solar water heaters (high-pressure solar-powered geysers) to residents after the R900-million project was put on ice in June, as well as a proposed wind farm at Van Stadens consisting of up to 15 giant wind turbines, and methane gas harvesting facilities at the Arlington or Koedoeskloof waste disposal sites.

Because the three projects are being funded by ETA Energy Ltd – a subsidiary of parastatal the Central Energy Fund (CEF) – they are on track and unaffected by the Bay municipality’s cash-flow problems which has seen many infrastructure projects halted.

The three projects will see the metro catapulted to the forefront of attempts by cities around the country to minimise their dependence on energy provider Eskom and its steep annual price increases by “going green”. Continue reading Roll-out of 100000 solar water heaters resumes

50% renewable energy by 2030

Posted by: Yes Solar Cape (Cape Town, South Africa) – 18 August 2010

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is advocating that generating 50% of South Africa’s electricity from renewable resources by 2030 is quite feasible. This is despite the country’s heavy dependence on coal to produce electricity.

Kusile power station in [...]

Climate Change and Energy Week

Posted by: Yes Solar Cape (Cape Town, South Africa) – 16 August 2010

Issued by: Communication Department City of Cape Town

The City of Cape Town’s Environmental Resource Management, Disaster Risk Management and Electricity Services Departments will be hosting a Climate Change and Energy Week from 16 to 19 August 2010. The focus will [...]

Corporations take responsibility for climate impact

Posted by: Saving Water SA (Cape Town, South Africa) – partnered with Water Rhapsody conservation systems – 05 August 2010

By: Andre Fourie – head of sustainable development at SAB

Corporations around the world are increasingly taking responsibility for the impact of their operations on the environment and communities within which they operate. This is both necessary and right.

SABMiller has introduced a cost-saving and environment-friendly treatment for waste water

Concerns about the future of the planet are well founded: there are physical limits to the impact of the consumption habits of nearly 7 billion people on the availability of food, water and clean air. Scientists are confirming our fears about issues such as climate change, declining biodiversity and shrinking rain forests and polar ice caps.

This reality underpins the efforts of many global and South African companies over the past decade to demonstrate more responsible corporate citizenship.

The annual reports of most leading corporations show they are concerned about their impact on local communities, are working hard to reduce the energy they consume and the carbon dioxide they emit into the atmosphere, and are taking care about environmental damage.

Further, businesses are playing a critical role in building economic growth, particularly around job creation. A well managed and growing business is good for wider economic development, leading to greater employment, more taxes paid and greater investment in local economies and communities. Continue reading Corporations take responsibility for climate impact

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The age of cheap electricity is at an end

Roll-out of 100000 solar water heaters resumes

50% renewable energy by 2030

Climate Change and Energy Week

Corporations take responsibility for climate impact

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