Friday, May 25, 2012
Premier Helen Zille switched on solar energy system at Carbon-Neutral garment manufacturer
On Tuesday, 22 May, Premier Helen Zille switched on and launched the recently installed solar energy system of the Impahla Clothing textile factory in Maitland as part of the Western Cape government's championing of renewable, especially solar, energy to promote a more sustainable future in the province.
Impahla Clothing became the first carbon-neutral garment manufacturer in South Africa through implementing carbon off-setting projects (including tree-planting in Khayelitsha). The company's installation of a solar-powered electricity generation system, funded by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), marks a significant boost to the factory's drive towards energy security and self-sufficiency.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Solar PV, wind dominate again as second window renewables bidders are named
" The South African government announced on Monday that 19 companies had been selected as preferred bidders during the second bidding window for the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP), which closed on March 5.
A total of 79 bids were submitted by the deadline, representing more than 3 200 MW of potential capacity.
Overall, the REIPPP programme, which is seeking to procure 3 725 MW of renewables capacity, was expected to attract investments of around R100-billion between 2012 and 2016." Source and more here, on Engineering News
SWH programme now geared towards local procurement – Minister
" From this year, only suppliers which commit to localising their product would be allowed to participate in the government-funded solar water heating (SWH) programme, Energy Minister Dipuo Peters said this week." Source and more here, on Engineering News
WWF warns of over-consumption, calls for sustainable policies
"The ever-growing demand for resources, driven by a growing global population, which could hit 10.9-billion by 2050, is putting “tremendous” pressure on the planet’s biodiversity and is threatening South Africa’s future security, health and well-being, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) said in a report on Tuesday." Source and more here, on Engineering News
Mexican wind energy boom plays out on gusty shores
" LA VENTOSA - On an arid plain where sudden gusts of wind can rip roofs off buildings and knock over tractor trailers, Mexico is building a new engine for its energy future.
Surrounded by towering turbines in every direction, the town of La Ventosa - which means "the windy place" in Spanish - is at the heart of a wind power boom in the country.
Mexico, the world's 14th biggest economy, still punches well below its weight in terms of wind energy, ranking 24th on the planet in installed capacity last year, according to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).
But the market is growing fast. By the end of this year, the national wind energy association expects Mexico to jump to number 20 on the list, which is dominated by wealthy European nations, the United States, China and India." Source and more here, on Engineering News
News Snippets
Vestas says close to deal on 297 MW SA orders - Engineering News
Bank pleased with its share of R28bn renewables projects - Engineering News
V&A Waterfront’s green credentials awarded - Engineering News
Mobile services could help smaller farmers improve productivity - Engineering News
New Holland Agriculture shows off new hydrogen tractor at Nampo - Engineering News
Sasol backs solar car race, SA to host record attempt - Engineering News
Final fate of PBMR to be decided during 2013 - Engineering News
Call to Think Green When Introducing Policies - more here on SangoNet
Second renewables bidder announcement delayed to May 21 - Engineering News
SA battles to keep blackouts at bay - Engineering News
News from the DTI on SA's nuclear plans - Engineering news
Scientists urge action on world's biggest problems (water & energy) - Engineering News
SA aims to use fuel cell research as an innovation, beneficiation catalyst - Engineering News
Honda in breakthrough rare earths recycling move - Engineering News
Eastern Cape Sustainable Rural Development Needs Multi-Faceted Intervention - more here.
US$400 Million earmarked for small holding farmers in Africa - Read more here.
Global solar power capacity set to jump - Engineering News
EU nations get cold feet over climate change fund - Engineering News
Draft of delayed water resources review by September, says DG - Engineering News
Nine bidders vie for Transnet electric-locomotive order - Engineering News
Green building council to host fifth convention in October - Engineering News
SA endorses carbon capture roadmap- Engineering News
ity works towards a carbon neutral future - City of Cape Town
Nuclear Power will worsen the wealth gap - an article by Bishop G Davies of SAFCEI.
GMO Threat to Consumer Rights to Have Market Influence - SAFCEI
Sunday, May 6, 2012
5-5-12 Climate Impacts Day (International)
View pics from around the world of people taking part in this day of action.
China must act urgently to curb city emissions – World Bank
" China must act urgently on multiple fronts if it is to cut greenhouse gas emissions from its rapidly expanding cities and hit government targets for curbing carbon intensity, a new report from the World Bank said on Thursday.
Cities generate an estimated 70% of energy-related greenhouse gases and with China set to increase its number of urban residents by 350-million over the next 20 years, the Bank says the case for urgent action is strong." Source and more here.
New global body to push for solar-supporting trade policies
" A new high-level industry coalition comprising multinational companies operating across the solar photovoltaic (PV) value chain was officially launched in Belgium this week.
The CE-level Global Solar Council (GSC) would seek to accelerate the deployment of the renewable-energy solution globally by engaging with policymakers on trade and policy regimes that would support the technology’s full migration to grid parity." Source and more here.
News snippets
GREEN PROJECTS / JOBS (SOUTH AFRICA)
R7.7bn green projects push to create thousands of jobs - Molewa - Engineering News
RENEWABLE ENERGY
UK's Cameron sees North Sea as green energy hub - Engineering News
SCIENTIFIC REPORT
Scientists call for rethink on consumption, population - Engineering News
MINING AND THE ENVIRONMENT(SOUTH AFRICA)
SA to unveil new mining, biodiversity planning tool this year - Engineering News
SA'S ENERGY FUTURE
NUM blasts abandoned PBMR project - "...Matsepe further affirmed that the PBMR project’s cost of R10-billion was unjustifiable, that the project “delivered nothing”, that the PBMR Company’s plans to build a 400 MW commercial-scale reactor first, instead of a smaller test reactor, were “sheer madness” and that the PBMR management seemed not to know what they were doing. “The NUM was outraged that the reactor design was changed seven times in ten years.”"Source and read more here, on Engineering News
In this article, our Energy Minister tries to justify SA's nuclear plans.
In this article, it is reported that Eskom spent R1 billion since 2005 to upgrade safety at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station.
REPORT: TRACKING CLEAN ENERGY PROGRESS - Read more here.
TRANSPORT
As Joule funding falters, Optimal Energy looks to electric buses, promoting a 20% cost saving - Engineering News
OIL SPILL (AFRICA)
Shell Nigeria spill 60 times worse than said - Amnesty - Engineering News
BUSINESS
IDC to issue green bond, divest shares - Engineering News
CLIMATE CHANGE RESEARCH (AFRICA)
South African Countries collaborate to establish Climate Change Research Centre in Namibia - more here.
Climate Change Impacts on South Africa - read more here.
SUSTAINABILITY
Natural resources & Consumption - from the Industrial Revolution to now - where are we headed? Read this interesting article about the Sixth Wave of Innovation.
SMALL SCALE AGRICULTURE
In this article, the author looks at different possible roles that small-scale farming could play in growing local economies, combating food insecurity, creating employment and eradicating poverty
This article touches on how South African unemployed mothers could consider venturing into small-scale farming to feed their families, create jobs and provide food security for their communities
Minister outlines farm-supporting infrastructure plan - Engineering News
STUDY ON EXTREME ORGANISMS IN SA MINES MAY HOLD ANSWERS TO ET LIFE AND POLLUTION THREATS - read more here.
R7.7bn green projects push to create thousands of jobs - Molewa - Engineering News
RENEWABLE ENERGY
UK's Cameron sees North Sea as green energy hub - Engineering News
SCIENTIFIC REPORT
Scientists call for rethink on consumption, population - Engineering News
MINING AND THE ENVIRONMENT(SOUTH AFRICA)
SA to unveil new mining, biodiversity planning tool this year - Engineering News
SA'S ENERGY FUTURE
NUM blasts abandoned PBMR project - "...Matsepe further affirmed that the PBMR project’s cost of R10-billion was unjustifiable, that the project “delivered nothing”, that the PBMR Company’s plans to build a 400 MW commercial-scale reactor first, instead of a smaller test reactor, were “sheer madness” and that the PBMR management seemed not to know what they were doing. “The NUM was outraged that the reactor design was changed seven times in ten years.”"Source and read more here, on Engineering News
In this article, our Energy Minister tries to justify SA's nuclear plans.
In this article, it is reported that Eskom spent R1 billion since 2005 to upgrade safety at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station.
REPORT: TRACKING CLEAN ENERGY PROGRESS - Read more here.
TRANSPORT
As Joule funding falters, Optimal Energy looks to electric buses, promoting a 20% cost saving - Engineering News
OIL SPILL (AFRICA)
Shell Nigeria spill 60 times worse than said - Amnesty - Engineering News
BUSINESS
IDC to issue green bond, divest shares - Engineering News
CLIMATE CHANGE RESEARCH (AFRICA)
South African Countries collaborate to establish Climate Change Research Centre in Namibia - more here.
Climate Change Impacts on South Africa - read more here.
SUSTAINABILITY
Natural resources & Consumption - from the Industrial Revolution to now - where are we headed? Read this interesting article about the Sixth Wave of Innovation.
SMALL SCALE AGRICULTURE
In this article, the author looks at different possible roles that small-scale farming could play in growing local economies, combating food insecurity, creating employment and eradicating poverty
This article touches on how South African unemployed mothers could consider venturing into small-scale farming to feed their families, create jobs and provide food security for their communities
Minister outlines farm-supporting infrastructure plan - Engineering News
STUDY ON EXTREME ORGANISMS IN SA MINES MAY HOLD ANSWERS TO ET LIFE AND POLLUTION THREATS - read more here.
Property giants go green as the penny slowly drops
"JOHANNESBURG – In 2011 Moneyweb reported that only three out of nine property funds listed on the JSE (JSE:JSE) had elected to participate in a voluntary exercise to measure the carbon footprint of the JSE’s top 100. It appears sentiment is turning with more and more property developers opting for sustainability not only as an alternative building initiative, but as a selling point to discerning buyers." Source and more here on Moneyweb.
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