Some Recent News Updates from Engineering News

Here are some recent Engineering News reports we found of interest(listed from most recent to oldest):- SA Participates in Global Climate Change Talks; DTI Keen to Include 'Green' Industries in Revised Industrial Policy Plan; Govt Reiterates Commitment to Renewable Energy; Business Leaders Call for 'robust' Climate Deal; World Leaders Meet on Climate Change in New York; SA Needs Billions for Power Insfrastructure - Eskom; Stakeholders to Meet on Draft Energy Efficient Building Regulations;Biogas Projects Could Add 200MW to SA Power Mix - CAE Energy; SA Urged to Look at Refuse-Derived Fuel to Improve Energy Security; IFC to Invest $500mil a Year on Renewable Energy Projects by 2011; SA's Cogeneration Sector Needs to be 'Rescued'; Cogeneration Projects can Meet 20% of Africa's Electricity Needs;Fort Hare Uses Green Building Design to Expand East London Campus; SA Not 'Compromising Anything'at Climate Change Negotiations - Sonjica; New Turbine for Generation of Undersea Power - Alstom;SA to Release Draft Climate Change Policy By Month-End; R&D Investment of Atleast $100bn Needed to Fight Climate Change - World Bank; Nedbank Warns on Carbon Emissions.

Do It on "Do It Day"! - Friday, 18 September 2009

Guys & gals, here is an ideal opportunity to "announce" your new conscious way of living! Greater Good SA runs the "Do It Day" campaign which encourages South Africans to take one day out of the year (18 September) to help out with a project on a volunteer basis. There are loads of projects to choose from all over South Africa and we at FLOE encourage you to sign up and participate (check out: www.doitday.co.za)! From cleaning up litter, to planting seeds, clearing vegetation, and much more, you will be sure to find something that will prove to be rewarding to you in a whole new way, GUARANTEED!

More on Wind and Hydro Projects in Southern Africa

This Engineering News article is all about Hydro in Southern Africa (potential in the region, advantages, disadvantages, & gives examples of existing/planned projects in Southern African countries). While this Engineering News article tells us more about Belgium's largest RE producer's plans to build a R1.2bn wind farm in the Eastern Cape.

Economic Growth vs Cutting Emissions - Why One or The Other?

This Engineering News article tells us how our government has made it clear that they "would not accept a formal cap, despite acknowledging the country's contribution to carbon emissions and the potential opportunities presented by science in pursuance of a low-carbon future." as this could be a threat to the growth of our economy. On the same day, this Engineering News article reports on how the Swedish government is successfully cutting its emissions while simultaneously growing their economy, saying "It's a balance". In the former article, Richard Worthington is quoted as saying "There needs to be a mindset change in government where the primary objective is not economic growth alone, but rather sustainable development, which is synergistic with low-carbon development". In another Engineering News article, Scania urges SA to introduce more stringent emissions standards, specifically speaking about the introduction of ethanol buses.

Energy Efficiency Becoming Key Across All Sectors of the Economy

This Engineering News article reports no how Solar Heat has rolled out one of SA's largest Solar Water Heater Installations at one of Anglo Platinum's mines. Solar Heat also recently installed a 6 000 litre SWH system at the newly built Southern Sun StayEasy Emalahleni Hotel. The hotel is also implementing other green features. This Engineering News article also reaffirms Engineering News's reports that "energy efficiency was proving a cross-cutting imperative across all sectors of the economy" with BMW reportedly saving some R18 million a year on their electricity bill by taking measures to reduce their energy consumption.

More Time For Revision of White Paper on RE Policy of 2003

This Engineering News article tells how the timeframe for completion of a revision of the White Paper on the Renewable Energy Policy of 2003 has been extended due to concerns raised over the tight deadline.

Bank to Live Up to Its Colour?

This Engineering News article informs us of Nedbank's plans to become carbon neutral.

Hydro & Wind Power Unite

Read this Simply Green article about a new method of pumped hydro storage involving the use of wind power.

BPA Update

This Simply Green article provides an update to the BPA debate and also shares information which you may not have known about BPA.

Eskom on RE

This Engineering News article reports on Eskom CEO Jacob Maroga's recent statements about how it supports re projects, but unfortunately has to defer smaller, mainly renewable projects due to funding issues. This follows the company’s yearly results presentation, in which Eskom reported a loss of R9,7-billion for the year.

Joule to be South Africa's 'Jewel'?

This Engineering News article gives us an update on the current status quo of the Joule, also covering the logistics of its production programme. The article also explores the possibility of starting an electric vehicle (EV) industry in South Africa.

Public Hearings for Second Phase of Refit

This Engineering News article highlights some of the points raised by renewable energy industry players at the recent public hearings for the second phase of renewable energy feed-in tariffs (REFIT).

PBMR vs Renewable Energy Alternative for 2010 to 2030

On 20 August 2009, the comment period for the revised Socio-Economic Impact Assessment released for the proposed Pebble Bed Modular[nuclear]Reactor Demonstration Power Plant came to a close. Rod Gurzynski of EcoProgram recently completed a draft report which he submitted as a comment for the PBMR SEIA mentioned above. The report is titled "THE PBMR vs A RENEWABLE ENERGY ALTERNATIVE FOR 2010 - 2030". This document is WELL WORTH THE READ, so please do have a look at it! Also read this Simply Green article about how The Public Services Accountability Monitor indicated that the key assessment document for the PBMR SEIA was 'fatally flawed'. FLOE's co-founder, Ninette, has also submitted 3 comments over the PBMR EIA process. To request copies of these comments, please email us via our website's contact form found here.

Seas of Plastic - More Than What Meets The Eye

Most of us are now familiar with the shocking reality of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, but here is another The Independent news article reporting that scientists have identified this pollution as a new form of chemical pollution. The article goes on to say "Until now it was thought that plastic rubbish is relatively stable chemically and, apart from being unsightly, its principle threat to living creatures came from its ability to choke or strangle any animals that either got caught in it or ingested it thinking it was food."

"Geo-Engineering" Our Way Out of Trouble?

This BBC News article talks about some really "out there" engineering ideas for buying time in the race against climate change. What do you think? - A waste of time? Should we rather be spending our time on introducing drastic measures to reduce our negative impact on the planet, or do you think this type of research might lead to it being "ok" for us to carry on in our old unsustainable ways?

Solar Water Heater Progress in SA

This Engineering News article reports that Eskom's Solar Water Heater Programme is 'gaining traction, although only 1600 householders have purchased solar water heaters so far.

White Paper on SA's Renewable Energy Policy To Be Reviewed

In this Engineering News article, it is stated "The Renewable Energy Market Transformation Implementation Support Unit (REMT-ISU), which is a joint initiative of the World Bank and the Department of Energy, is looking for consultants in the energy sector to undertake a revision of the White Paper on the Renewable Energy Policy of 2003." Interested parties have until 14 September 2009 to submit their bids for the job.