Energy Management

Integrated solutions to address energy security

Increasing electricity tariffs and ongoing load shedding have raised a lot of interest from private-sector clients looking to guarantee their energy security independent of electricity utility Eskom. Newly-appointed Energy Unit Leader at Zutari, Janice Foster, who took up the role in November 2020, notes that coupled with the global move towards ‘green’ energy, much of this interest is in renewable energy. For example she cites the recent announcement by Stellenbosch that it is investigating alternative energy sources to mitigate the impact of load shedding in the city.

Power factor correction reduces demand charges

Large industrial, commercial or retail operations can have maximum demand charges applied to their electricity bills. Product Manager at ElectroMechanica (EM), Artur Socha, warns such operations to look out for extra demand charges on their utility bills.

Simple steps to limit load shedding

Following Eskom’s statement that load shedding is likely to be with us for the rest of the year and possibly beyond that – due to inadequate generation capacity to meet demand and an aging generation fleet which makes the system vulnerable – Barry Bredenkamp of SANEDI (the South African National Energy Development Institute), highlights that there are steps which every electricity user can and should take to decrease demand for electricity and thereby reduce the risk of load shedding.

Global Eco-Industrial Parks in SA

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) and the National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA), in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), have launched the Global Eco-Industrial Parks Programme (GEIPP) in South Africa.

Certified energy performance required for buildings

The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy has, under section 19(1) (b) of the National Energy Act, published regulations for the mandatory display and submission of Energy Performance Certificates for buildings. The regulations were published in Notice 700 of Government Gazette 43792 of 8 December 2020.

Climatic ratings of PV modules

A comprehensive new study by the International Energy Agency (IEA) Photovoltaic Power Systems (PVPS) Technology Collaboration Programme presents key information on the energy yield of photovoltaic (PV) modules and systems in different climatic zones worldwide. Field and laboratory data from TÜV Rheinland provided a foundation for the study. The globally active testing service provider tested different PV module technologies in its own laboratories for the publication, and measured and compared module yields over several years at five locations on four continents. In addition, various research institutes from around the world collaborated on the study by the IEA PVPS Task 13 Working Group and supplied data. Experts from TÜV Rheinland coordinated the international team.