Growth of the PET Plastic Recycling Industry

This Engineering News article tells how "The plastic bottle, or poly-
ethylene terephthalate (PET), recycling industry has nearly doubled its tonnage since 2005 through the introduction of the voluntary recycling levy for producers of the plastic." PET plastic can be identified by the number "1" indicated in the triangle imprint found on the packaging (usually found at the bottom of the container).

Late Arrival of Sardines (Part 2)

Earlier, we reported on the late arrival of the sardines in this year's "sardine run". This Simply Green article explores this topic further. We draw your attention to the last paragraph of the article.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Check out Urban Sprout here, to read about how Pick n Pay is considered to be the SA grocer who has done the most in terms of greening, how Spier Wine Estate is taking proactive steps to becoming carbon neutral by 2017 (I know what wine I will be drinking!) and how local environmental groups are appealing the approval by government to allow field trials of genetically modified vines. Urban Sprout also reports on how Pick n Pay and Woolworths are distancing themselves from a hen breeder that is being investigated by the NSPCA for cruelty to animals. It is encouraging to see that people and companies are starting to see the light!

Chickens Stop Eating: Discovery of Feed Being Genetically Modified

If only humans were as clever as animals in picking up which foods are genetically modified. Read this Simply Green article about how chickens stopped eating their feed after which it was discovered that their feed was genetically modified. This article also contains some GM facts that you should know about.

Carbon Capture & Storage: SA Update

Read more, here on Engineering News.

Overwhelming Response Received for PE Solar Water Heater Project

This Engineering News article explains how 180 bids were received from parties interested in supplying solar water heater installations for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality's big SWH roll out project. The bids will be assessed over the next few weeks after which three or four suppliers will be selected.

2009 Solar World Congress to Take Place in Jhb in October

What a perfect time for SA to host such an event! Find out more here, on Engineering News.

Renewable Energy in SA: Skepticism About 4% by 2013

Industry players call for a reality check in this Engineering News article about the real state of affairs. More needs to be done and FAST. The article confirms that "The Refit was welcomed by industry players, but, to date, there was no project up-and-running under the system, as the issue of power purchase agreements (PPAs) was yet to be finalised." Also see this Engineering News article about how Eskom should place more emphasis on power conservation.

The Dept of Energy on Renewable Energy in SA

This Engineering News article reports on what the DoE's clean energy division chief director David Mahuma said on Monday regarding RE prospects in SA. It also reported: "DoE new and renewable energy director Nomawethu Qase further explained that the renewable energy policy framework of South Africa, which was established in 2003 and was currently under review, set a renewable energy contribution target of 4% of total power generation capacity (equal to about 10 000 GWh) by 2013."

Ocean Life News

This Simply Green article tells us about how Earth's oceans are turning acidic and how the problem needs to be addressed. Also see this Simply Green article telling about the potentially contraversial prospect of developing biofuel made from fish.

Mistaken for Aliens

Read this Simply Green article which describes how 150 indigenous Yellowwood Trees have been destroyed by mistake (March 2009). A Working for Water team accidentally poisoned and chopped down these trees mistaking them for alien vegetation.

Climate Change Project Launched by Copenhagen Concensus Centre

The Copenhagen Consensus Centre has launched a project dubbed "Climate Change Project" which includes the launch of a website titled fixtheclimate.com. This Engineering News article tells how the organisation would "release what it called “pioneering new research on climate engineering”, with summaries of new research papers by climate scientists", on its website.

BP Shuts Down Alternative Energy Headquarters in London & Drastically Cuts Back Renewables Budget

Read more here, on Climate Progress.

China Eager to Pass Wind

Check out this Reuters article about China aggressively expanding on wind power generation.

The Good, the Bad & the Uncertain & Knowing the Difference

THE GOOD
In this Engineering News article, Scholes (from Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)) speaks of how climate change can present economic growth opportunities for countries prepared to get “out of the old failing industries and into new growth areas of green technology”. Mention of solar power being a point of focus for SA is welcomed while some may question the suggestion that "carbon capture and storage, underground coal gasification, and other advanced coal technologies should be a part of South African technology research".

THE BAD
There is something that I've been noticing of late that is of great concern to the African continent. This is the trend of foreign countries/companies rocking up on African soil to provide enticing and "promising" deals to African governments in exchange for African soil and resources. I first noticed it in the energy generation industry, with foreign companies planning on setting up power plants on African soil to export power for use in their home countries. This has also been happening for ages in mining, and now it is apparently also becoming more common in agriculture (foreign countries leasing/buying African soil for farming food then exporting the food to their home countries.) I do hope that our African leaders will remove the wool from their eyes soon so that they can see how they are being exploited. Read this very enlightening "The Independant" article for more on this topic. A future of squandering for limited resource is far from bright.

THE UNCERTAIN
In another Engineering News article, UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, is quoted as saying (when speaking about the issue of climate change) “It is far better to adopt a precautionary stance. Future generations will hold us in extremely low regard if we do nothing”.. Although this article seems to convey that a "low carbon high growth trajectory" is possible, I would suggest that Miliband has worded things in a rather vague way open for misinterpretation. Scholes from the CSIR also noted in it "that key climate change challenges for Southern Africa were: adapting to a hotter, drier, and stormier future; persuading the world to take a unified action to keep global warming tolerable; to protect coastal cities from flooding; and to stay competitive in a low-carbon economy."

Sweet Energy Prospects for SA?

This Engineering News article is very informative, covering the debate surrounding the usage of our sugar cane fields for the purpose of generating ethanol and the generation of electricity to potentially be fed back into SA's electricity grid(s). The article also explains what ethanol is, how it is produced, and also summarises the current status of SA's sugar industry with regard to this topic.

While we are on the subject of the biofuels debate, we have mentioned in one of our earlier posts that the University of Stellenbosch hosted a Biofuels Seminar on 03 August 2009. To view the two presentations given at this talk, click here (you will find the links for Prof Temu's and Prof Lynd's presentations on the right hand side of the page). Also, if you are interested, find out more about the planned World Sugar Summit to be held in Cape Town on 7 and 8 September 2009, by clicking here.

Issues of Faith - Climate Change Series

On Sunday morning the 9th of August 2009 (9am), a four part "Issues of Faith" series looking at Global Warming entitled A VISION OF PARADISE, GLOBAL WARMING AND RELIGION started on SABC 2. This series looks at various issues surrounding climate change from many perspectives, including the religious. Catch the next 3 programmes over the next 3 Sundays (9am, on SABC 2).

The Sunny side of the USA

Have a look at this Greentech Media article highlighting eSolar's debut of their new solar thermal tower plant in California (the first of its kind in the USA). Also have a look at this Sun and Wind Energy article (sunwindenergy.com - Issue 6/2009)about how the Concentrated Solar Power Industry (in the USA) is poised for growth. This article also outlines the differences between 'trough' and 'tower' technology and also gives a list of CSP projects in the USA (planned & already on the go).

OR Tambo Airport Low on Juice

Read more here, on Engineering News. Apparently the airport is asking airliners to reduce their consumption of jet fuel by 30% due to shortage of supply. Our energy minister is meeting with stakeholders in the industry today to discuss the issue.

Amphibious "Turtle", Solar Powered Aircraft Design

Turtle Airships is busy working on a prototype of a solar powered aircraft that will be able to land on water and land. Check it out here, on CleanTechnica.

Major Growth Expected for RE Equipment Market (Southern Africa)

Read more here, on Engineering News.

Safe Disposal of CFLs (Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs)

In this IOL news article, we are informed that the City of Cape Town is apparently calling for legislation "that will make manufacturers and retailers responsible for the safe disposal of mercury-containing compact fluorescent lightbulbs." Weighing up the pros and cons of using CFLs has been a hot topic of debate recently. Read my personal views on this issue here (after I conducted some research).

Renewable Energy - The World Needs "Oysters"

Check out this article featured on Simply Green describing a new wave energy machine design which is clean, silent and simple. The machine is called an "Oyster". If successful, it will be sure to spark renewed interest in wave energy.

The City of Cape Town Rejects New Nuclear Power Station Unless...

Check out this Simply Green article which states that our City is "not prepared to approve the revised study plan to build a new nuclear plant at Koeberg without the critical issues of residents’ safety in a nuclear emergency and the removal of high-tech nuclear waste, being addressed." [our highlighting]

The "California Option" for South Africa?

This Urban Sprout article highlights an idea put forth by John Joslin of Smart Green Prosperity. The general idea is for South Africa to embrace an approach to electricity supply based on the California model. Currently in South Africa, a utility makes profits when consumers/industry consume MORE electricity. This leaves little incentive for the utilities to encourage efficiency to reduce consumption. The "California Option" is based on focusing on energy efficiency measures implemented by industry & households (with the assistance of the utility/ies / government) which will reduce consumption. The rate(s) at which electricity is charged can be increased (but because of the energy efficiency measures put in place with the assistance of the power utility/ies), the customer ends up paying less. This results in a "win/win/win" scenario (the utility/ies make revenue; the consumer pays less; and the environment benefits from reduced emissions). This also means that fewer power stations need to be built. Coupled with moving away from non-renewable methods of power production, and agressively persuing a mix of renewable solutions, this could be the way to go! Please let us have your comments/feedback on this issue.

Nissan's First Mass Produced Electric Vehicle To Be Unveiled Tomorrow (Sunday)

Read more here, in Engineering News. In this article it states that "Nissan South Africa brand and corporate communications GM Pat Senne notes that South Africa may only receive the Nissan electric vehicle once certain measures are in place, such as recharging infrastructure, incentives, and once consumers have been educated on the use of such vehicles, which spells a radical shift from checking a fuel gauge."

South African Develops a New Idea for a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

In this earlier post, we told you about UK's QuietRevolution vertical wind turbine design. Now read this Engineering News article about how South Africa's very own Jan Jooste has developed a new configuration for the vertical axis wind turbine.

PBMR News (Nuclear)

There have been two recent Engineering News articles on the issue of the PBMR (Pebble Bed Modular Reactor). This one, which speaks of how the PBMR company is now also looking at providing advisory services to other countries and also how it plans to extend itself to becoming involved in the development of other nuclear technologies in SA (besides the PBMR technology) and how it would be involved on the design side of the development process. The other article informs us how Minister Barbara Hogan reaffirms that our government "remains committed to South Africa's pebble-bed modular reactor (PBMR) nuclear power programme." At the same time, Minister Hogan also clarified "that while the PBMR Company, like Eskom, fell under her department, the development of energy policy was the responsibility of the Department of Energy."