Renewable energy

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Introduction

Pressure to develop sustainable sources of renewable energy is on the rise. South Africa is at the forefront of developing and perfecting several forms of renewable energy (EDKIN 2010). This is due to the increasing cost of fossil fuel resulting in increased energy costs as well as the rapidly changing climatic conditions. On continents like Africa the La-Nino weather condition is resulting in reduced amounts of Rainfall (Nicolson 2000). Global warming is also resulting in the melt down of glacial ice, which could result in rivers running dry.

Types of renewable energy South Africa is investing on

Presently the number of renewable energy sources is limited. Wind, Solar, Waves and Bio fuels are among the most common types of renewable energy (Ferry 2012). While performing the research and before investing it’s also important to consider their impact on the environment. With the GHGP (Green House Gas Protocol) affecting many countries, it’s important to abide by their guidelines to avoid pollution related fines (GHGP 2001).

Solar energy

South Africa launched a 75MW solar energy plant in Kalkbult on September 2013. There is also several additional solar energy plants expected to be in operation in 2014 and 2015 (Messerschmidt 2008). Solar energy is the most reliable source of renewable energy on our plant but energy produced from solar panels is presently low. This form of energy production requires additional research and improvements made to boost energy production from the solar panels (Goffman 2008).

Wind energy

Large wind turbine Farms have become a common sight in many countries which have strong winds. They can be erected inland, on coastlines or out at sea. South Africa’s commercial wind energy farms are still under developed, with less than 50 wind turbines in operation. They produce a combined 70 MW of energy. There is a forth farm under construction which will have 50 wind turbines producing 2KW of power each, thus resulting in a major boost in this sector (Wulfers 2013). But besides the commercial producers it has been noted that the private sector is also investing heavily on small scale wind turbines (Querejazu 2012). These help reduce the cost of energy as well as the pressure placed on the energy grid.

Bio energy and fuels

With the global fossil fuels deposits dwindling, the need to locate alternative energy fuels is the top priority. South Africa is placing more emphasis on bio gas production as opposed to oil producing plants. Statistics show that Biogas remains relatively unknown and unused in South Africa with less 100 bio gas digesters recorded (BSA 2010). Despite the biogas plants are small and can easily be afforded by most household most native South African families rely on coal and firewood as a primary source of energy, the requirement to provide a cleaner and more sustainable source of energy is high (Balmer 2007).

In addition to these there are several other forms of energy productions and techniques but the majority remain under developed. They require more research and development before being used both in the private or commercial sectors (Fridlay 2010).

References

Ashden. 2013 Sustainable solutions, Better Living, retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://www.ashden.org/” http://www.ashden.org/ on 4-1-2014.

Baker & McKenzie. 2013 The Future for Clean Energy in Africa, Clean energy pipeline.

Balmer M. 2007 Household coal use in an urban township in South Africa, Journal of Energy in Southern Africa, Vol 18 No 3.

Bettinger M, Finel B. I, Mesnikoff A, Prentice-Dunn J, and Ross L. 2010 Ending out Dependence on Oil, American Security Project, Sierra Club.

BSA. 2010 Biogas South Africa, retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://www.biogassa.co.za/” http://www.biogassa.co.za/ on 4-1-2014.

CT. 2008, Small-Scale Wind Energy Policy Insights and Practical Guidance, Carbon Trust.

DESA. ND Renewable Energy, Energy Department Republic of South Africa, retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://www.energy.gov.za/files/renewables_frame.html” http://www.energy.gov.za/files/renewables_frame.html on 2-1 – 2014.

Edkins M, Marquard A & Winkler H. 2010  South Africa’s renewable energy policy roadmaps, Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town.

Ferry R & Monoian E. 2012 A Field Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies, Land Art Generator Innovative.

Fridlay D. 2010 Nine Challenges of Alternative Energy, the Post Carbon Reader Series: Energy.

GHGP. 2001 A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard, Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

Goffman E. 2008 Why Not the Sun? Advantages of and Problems with Solar Energy, ProQuest Discovery Guides.

IEA. 2013 World Energy Outlook 2013 Factsheet: How Will Global Energy Markets Evolve To 2035? International Energy Agency.

Messerschmidt L.J. 2008 A solar energy plan for South Africa, Energize.

Nicolson S.E & SELATO J.C. 2000 The Influence of La Nina on African Rainfall, International Journal of Climatology, Int. J. Climatol. 20: 1761–177.

Querejazu D. 2012 Small Scale Wind Power for Homes, Farms and Communities, Environmental and Energy Studies Institute.

Wulfers M. 2013 Siemens wins 100 MW wind power order from South Africa, retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://www.siemens.com/press/en/feature/2013/energy/2013-05-sere-wind.php%20on%202-1-2014” http://www.siemens.com/press/en/feature/2013/energy/2013-05-sere-wind.php on 2-1-2014.