Who Should Be Involved in Deciding SA's Energy Future?

We attended the SA Energy Caucus held at the Townhouse Hotel in Cape Town on 29 and 30 July 2009. The two days were jammed packed with a range of speakers covering various energy related topics affecting us on the local front. Various organisations representing civil society were in attendance and the message was clear that the citizens of South Africa should have a say in deciding our country's energy future. We hope to make available a summary document outlining the discussions held. In the meantime, read this Engineering News article reporting on this important event. To view a copy of the caucus programme, click here.

Late Arrival of Sardines

Almost 2 months after their expected arrival, the sardines are here. Read more here, on IOL.

Loads of Interesting News

There are lots of uplifting stories under Simply Green's recent articles listed under the 'International News' section of their website. Read about Kenyan Cyclists charging their phones with "peddle power"; A student-built electric car that charges in 10 minutes; Tiger population increase; First manned Hydrogen powered aircraft takes flight. There are also two interesting & contraversial articles about: 1. A suggestion to use nuclear waste to "save the amazon"!!; and 2. A soybean/canola biofuel which can lead to 100% clean flights.

Biofuels Seminar (Stellenbosch) 3 August 2009

In this Cape Business News Article, we are informed that: "Biofuels researchers at Stellenbosch University have joined forces with some of the world’s leading experts in the field to seek resolution of issues related to the sustainable production of bioenergy." A Biofuels Seminar, open to the public, is being held at Stellenbosch University on 3 August 2009. Click here to view the ad for this event.

Carte Blanche Insert About Climate Change 26-7-09

In case you missed Carte Blanche last night, read the transcript of their insert titled "That Sinking Feeling" here. Insight was given on specifically how it is predicted climate change will impact South Africa and other parts of the world.

Calling all Inventive South Africans! An Opportunity of a Lifetime!

Check out this Innovation Fund Invitation addressed to "all South Africans (inventors, techno-entrepreneurs, engineers and researchers), who are engaged in the research and development of novel and inventive (RENEWABLE ENERGY) technologies". The closing date for entries is 18 September 2009.

QuietRevolution Wind Turbines

Check out this UK-based "QuietRevolution" wind turbine design apparently reducing environmental impact issues such as visual impact, noise, and vibration sometimes experienced with some of today's standard wind turbines. Because the turbine is on a verticle axis, it "does not require wind from a consistent direction to continue producing power". This seems particularly useful for small scale wind in more densely populated areas where turbulence is experienced due to surrounding buildings and other structures.

Plastic Recycling in Cape Town

This Cape Business News article tells about a "Big New Player" in the local Plastics Recycling market. We, at FLOE, have found that recycling plastic is one of the more complicated topics in the local recycling industry (ie Which plastics are recyclable? Which are biodegradable? Which waste/recycling drop off centres accept plastic and how is it dealt with?, etc...) We are busy conducting research into this local industry and hope to provide our members with feedback soon.

SA German Chamber of Commerce & Industry on SA's Renewable Energy Sector

In this Engineering News article, Southern African German chamber of commerce and industry CEO Matthias Boddenberg comments on the scope for RE in SA and informs us of what the chamber is doing to help spur on development of this sector in SA.

Proposed "Phase 2" of SA's Renewable Energy Feed-In-Tariff Up for Comment

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa have released a consultation paper for expansion of technologies to be included in SA's Renewable Energy Feed-in-Tariffs. Read more here, on Engineering News or view the consultation paper, here on NERSA's website. The article confirms (amongst other things) that the paper "outlined the levelised cost of electricity for CSP without storage as R3,132/kWh. For PV greater than 1MW the levelised cost of electricity is R4,488/kWh; solid biomass is R1,181/kWh; biogas is R0,962/kWh, concentrating PV without storage is R5,481/kWh; and CSP tower with storage is R2,308/kWh.". It also states that "Wave, tidal and geothermal technologies were excluded" as these technologies are not yet "commercially available".

Launch of SA Chartered Accountants Institute's "GREEN" Book

Read more, here on Engineering News. This book is a "comprehensive guide for business leaders and chartered accountants on not only how to survive in the new era of sustainable business, but also how to thrive as a result of it”.

Upcoming Events (Cape Town)

Lots is happening in Cape Town over the next week: The "Awakening the Dreamer Symposium" on 16th July (today) and Sunday, the 19th July (to book or find out more click here); The Freewheeling launch on Tuesday evening the 21st July (see details in my earlier post); the Energy Caucus meeting taking place 29th and 30th July (see the draft programme here.); and the launch of Western Cape Climate Justice NOW! South Africa on 31 July 2009 (find out more here). I think for most of these events it is necessary to book. To book your space at the Energy Caucus and/or Western Cape Climate Justice NOW launch, contact programme administrator Natashia Emmett: nemmettatissafrica.org.

Flower Power

Check out the giant solar power flowers in Boston made available for use by the public (part of Toyota's launch of their 2010 Prius). People can sit and relax while charging phones & laptops or while using a free Wi-Fi Service. How cool is that?!

Launch of "Freewheeling" (Cape Town)

Freewheeling is a "forum for future-thinking and practical sustainable living, in the context of friendship and community. It is emerging as Africa’s unique contribution to the growing global dialogue on the future of human society and the planet we live on." The Launch is taking place in Cape Town next week, Tuesday evening the 21st July 2009. Should you wish to attend or find out more information, please contact: marianatfreewheeling.co.za.

SA Energy Caucus 29 & 30 July 2009

In the days leading up to SA's Energy Caucus to be held at the end of this month in Cape Town, read this BRILLIANT Urban Sprout article. It gives some great insight to SA's energy dilemma and offers some 'thinking out of the box' solutions for our country.

New Gadget to Track Trash

In this BBC News article, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has devised a gadget to be attached to trash for tracking purposes. It is thought that the results of this study could help make the 'removal chain' more transparent. The report indicated that this could especially prove beneficial in exposing what happens with electronic waste. First thing that comes to mind (for me)is, why make more trash to track trash, but the report indicates that such a study could prove to be more beneficial than harmful for the environment. What do you think?

IDC to Undertake Much Needed "Far Reaching" Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency Study (SA)

The IDC has published a request for interested parties to respond by 27 July. Read more, here on Engineering News.

Update: Experimental Nuclear Demonstration Power Plant in South Africa

If you are not familiar with the background regarding the proposed Pebble Bed Modular Reactor Demonstration Power Plant, read this. The proposed project is in the final stages of the Environmental Impact Assessment with its revised/updated draft socio-economic impact report being finalised in May 2009, the public has been given until 20 August 2009 to comment. To view this revised report, click here (select the file called
"Updated Social Impact Assessment Report". We encourage concerned/interested parties to please comment before the deadline.

Desertec Update

In June we informed you about the plans for large international (mainly European) companies developing a massive solar power plant in the African deserts to feed energy to European countries. Read this Engineering News article for an update.

Floods in Cape Town

Over the past few days, our home city has been hit by some serious flooding. This is not the same as flooding experienced every winter, yet I was shocked to see how tv news downplayed the flooding. As it happens every year, the informal settlements were unfortunately hit hardest. But this time, areas on higher ground (above the "50 year flood line"), were also under water. See this News24 webpage to view what actually has been going on: http://www.news24.com/Content/SouthAfrica/News/10590f7986710e41406db158755805b03f6b/12-07-2009%2011-07/Storm_batters_Cape_Town_ (copy and paste into your browser).

Green Energy for SA Cities (June 2009)

In one of our June posts, we mentioned that we attended a Discussion Forum called "Green Energy for SA Cities" hosted by the City of Cape Town and the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (Stellenbosch University). The discussion (held on 19 June 2009) focused on what the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is doing in terms of greening its energy and also on what the City of Cape Town is doing in this regard. To view our notes on both talks at this event (size 118kb), click here. To view the slide show given by Peter Neilson of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (size: 646kb), click here. To view the slide show given by Brian Jones of the City of Cape Town (size: 1.12MB), click here.

SA Dirty Fuel - Is 'Cleaning' It Counter Productive?

All the recent flooding aside for now, this winter it has ALSO become apparent to us Capetonians just how dirty our air is becoming. With the brown haze on still sunny days being thicker than ever before, we wonder how much more our health would be affected if we didn't have the help of the "Cape Doctor" (wind) blowing some of the pollution away. This Engineering News article takes a look at how local SA fuel producers (the petroleum industry being one of the major contributors to air pollution and carbon emissions) are producing some of the dirtiest fuel in the world, while giving reasons such as the following two for not yet making changes:- 1. Legislative uncertainty regarding future clean fuel specifications; 2. Higher energy requirements in the production of cleaner fuels (which results in higher carbon emissions in the production process). Knowing that petroleum is in limited supply, non-renewable and dirty, is industry/government just going to wait for a crisis before looking SERIOUSLY at alternative (sustainable) clean technologies (nevermind trying to 'clean' the dirty fuel)?

2009 G8 Summit - Rich vs Poor Countries

This year's G8 Summit turned out to be another sad paragraph in the history of humanity (read this New York Times article, this Engineering News article, and this Engineering News article. While the rich and poor countries made 'wishy-washy' promises regarding their commitment to reducing carbon emissions, Earth's temperature continues to rise, unabated (much too quickly due to unsustainable human practices). The rich point fingers at poor developing nations telling them what they should do, while the poor developing nations, point back. It will take major catastrophe before politicians and large corporations take action and by that time it will be too late. It will be up to us, the citizens of the world to force them to change [LESS DEMAND = REDUCTION IN PRODUCTION = INCREASE IN OPERATION COSTS = LOSS OF PROFITS = FORCED TO CHANGE]. We can do this with our BUYING POWER, but we have to ACT NOW. DON'T BUY UNNECESSARILY, ONLY BUY local, support small business, re-use, recycle, reduce and do not buy products/services provided by companies/corporations that are not taking IMMEDIATE proactive steps to seriously reduce their negative impact on our environment. IT IS UP TO US.

Recent News Snippets from Engineering News

Skim through this Engineering News article about South Africa's State-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)'s increasing involvement in renewable energy projects (amongst other things). Also see this Engineering news article in which Toyota SA Motors President asked for a delay of the implementation of a CO2 vehicle tax. In this Engineering News article, Deputy Minister of Public Works confirmed that they have "completed the energy-efficiency retrofit of some 4 000 public buildings in SA."

Be one of 1000 000 people to grow an organic vegetable at your home or office on 22 September 2009

Sign up here to take part in this awesome initiative: http://www.plantingseason.co.za/

Global Humanitarian Forum feedback and the Plight of 50/50

Something worth the read is last night's 50/50 insert about the Global Humanitarian Forum which was recently held in Europe. The forum was held in preparation of the Copenhagen conference to be held at the end of this year. Please also sign this "Bring 50/50 Back!" petition. We are desperately in need of programs such as this, exposing environmental injustices and also teaching our youth about the importance and magic of nature. Last night was 50/50's last episode in this series. The staff of 50/50 are hoping that the show will return in April 2010, however, many are concerned that this will not happen.

Greenbuilding.co.za Conference & Exhibition 2009 - Sandton

The Greenbuilding.co.za Conference & Exhibition will start tomorrow (7th July), ending on 8th of July. To find out more, to view the draft program or to book your seat, visit: http://www.greenbuilding.co.za/index.php/Green-Building-Events/Green-Building-Conference-2009.html

Australia Spends $4billion on Energy Efficient Homes Package

Check out this article on Treehugger about how the Australian government has rolled out its largest energy efficiency initiative which will see 2.9 million Australian homes get ceiling insulation by 2012.

Too Little Space to Garden?

Have a look at this Treehugger slide show called 'Container Gardening Options for Growing in Small Spaces'.

How 'Green' Can you Be?

I came across a Treehugger article called 'A Treehugger's Dilemma: Is 'doing something' doing enough?' The article and thread of comments which followed is REALLY worth the read! Although I admire the purist greenies out there for 'going all the way', I also solute the rest of us who are taking little steps and doing the best that we can. If you haven't started taking little steps yet, but you want to, how about joining Free Life on Earth, as a start? By joining FLOE, you will continue to strive to do more about reducing your negative impact on our natural environment... no matter how small the steps, atleast you are taking them! We are all in this together! :)

2009 Environmental Security Seminar Series (Cape Town)

The Centre of Criminology (UCT)in collaboration with Project 90 by 2030 is holding its second Environmental Security seminar this year on 9th July 2009. This talk is titled "New Challenges, New Responses, New Humanity? – Are we discerning the early outlines of how we might be in the future?". The key speaker will be Mr Peter Willis. For more information or if you would like to attend, view the invitation here, on Project 90 by 2030's website. Also have a look at this report outlining the discussions at the first Seminar held at UCT on 7th May 2009 titled "Copenhagen - A Deal for the Poor". (Key speaker was Assoc. Prof. Harald Winkler (Energy Research Centre, UCT). This talk (bearing in mind the forthcoming Copenhagen Climate Change Conference) highlighted (amongst other things) challenges faced by developing countries in addressing climate change mitigation, while simultaneously trying to address poverty.

A Breath of Fresh Air for the Mother City

On to some news that is a bit more refreshing: The City of Cape Town has been drafting some bylaws/policies that are very relevant to the preservation of our natural environment. Check out this Tygerburger article on the draft Air Quality Management By-Law (which I believe, still needs to be approved by Council), and also check out this Tygerburger article regarding the Intergrated Waste Management By-Law (which has been approved by council and which has been sent to Provincial Government for promulgation). There is also a draft Public Parks by-law which comment period closes on 15 July 2009. Click here for more information (on the City of Cape Town's website). Also have a look at this article on the City of Cape Town's website about how it has endorsed a draft policy (for the much needed) guiding of future urban development). They say that copies of the draft of this policy will be made available to the public in early August (2009). Also check out this Tygerburger article regarding the City Parks' waterwise traffic island initiative and this Tygerburger article about the City's compost plant in Bellville. Thanks City of Cape Town, but this is just the beginning and all is long overdue so please keep up the good work and sense of urgency!

Toxic News

Although we don't like to dwell on the negative, there has been so much in the media lately relevant to the effects on our natural environment. Some things you should know: 1. The current SERIOUS acid mine water problem west of Johannesburg (read this article in The Times). 2. The recent capsizing of drums containing toxic chemicals off the coast of Cape Town, with drums washing up on our beautiful beaches (read this News24 article). 3. Water problems in SA (see The Herald re the Garden Route, The Herald re Port Elizabeth). 4. Oil spill in Nigeria (see this Vanguard article on Allafrica.com).

Mondi's Greening Efforts Paying Off

Check out this The Weekender article in which we learn (amongst other things) that 76% of Mondi's Richards Bay operation's energy requirements are met by the use of renewable energy sources with only 2% of the energy requirements being supplied by Eskom's (non-renewable) sources.

More Warnings about Health Risks Associated with BPA Exposure

The Plastics industry (not surprisingly) denies it, yet we keep hearing the warnings. Check out this article on Simply Green. What is South Africa doing about this? In another Simply Green article, it appears the FDA (in the USA)has been forced to reassess BPA (Bisphenol-A - a type of plastic ) using "independent, rather than industrial, science and data."