The Quality of Our Air

This Engineering News article highlights the launching of a website which allows the public to gain air quality information posted by air quality monitoring stations across the country. Many air quality monitoring stations still need to sign up, however we hope that this new service will prove to be a valuable resource in raising awareness about air pollution and getting the 'powers that be' to do something about it! Read more on Engineering News or check out the website here.

New Biofuel Law for Angola

This Engineering News article informs us that the Angolan Parliament have recently approved a new biofuel law: "Oil Minister Botelho de Vasconcelos said several foreign firms were interested in investing in sugar and ethanol production in Angola and dismissed fears that the land used to grow biofuel crops would displace small-scale farmers."

Earth Hour 2010

This year's "Earth Hour", 20h30 to 21h30 on Saturday night the 27th March 2010 has come and gone. To read up on how it went internationally, visit: www.earthhour.org.

Tremendous Opportunities in SA for Development of Green Technologies

This Engineering News article reports on how "UK government adviser on the economics of climate change and development Sir Nicholas Stern on Wednesday told South African business leaders that there were tremendous opportunities in South Africa for the development of low carbon, or ‘green' technologies, as the country had a tradition of creativity and looking to the future." "He also cautioned that there were risks - such as reputational risk, shareholder activism, and not being able to attract employees - associated with not getting involved with the move towards a lower carbon economy. "If you don't get involved, you will get left behind. And your investors and shareholders will worry."

Power purchase agreements are being prioritised - Deputy Minister

This Engineering News article reports that "Public Enterprises Deputy Minister Enoch Godongwana on Monday reaffirmed the South African government's commitment to "put an end to the chapter" of independent power producers (IPPs) struggling to conclude power purchase agreements (PPAs)." and goes on to say: "The DoE further noted that a midterm review of the renewable energy policy and target was currently under way, and was expected to produce a revised White paper and targets by December 2010." but: "The DoE said that the second integrated resources plan, which was expected to be released by June 2010, would reaffirm the current renewable energy target of 10 000 GWh by 2013.

Sandton hotel installs solar-water heating system

This Engineering News article reports that "The solar water heating system is capable of preheating 30 000 litres of water before it enters the hotel's electrical heating system, which is expected to reduce the electricity usage by about 60%." and "It was estimated that 500 000 kWh/y of electricity would be saved, while some 210 t of carbon-dioxide emissions would be mitigated.

The installation consists of 117 2-kWh flat plate collectors, which use Israeli technology, and are said to be reliable, and easy to maintain."

Olifants river study under way to identify potential stressors

This Engineering News article informs us about an important study underway which "will eventually identify the sources of different stressors to the river system, develop and refine appropriate water quality management responses, decision-making processes, and remediation measures for the rivers in the catchment area."

"The stressors are many. Owing to the amount of human interference in terms of mining, power generation, industry, agriculture and sewage treatment in the catchment area of the Olifants river, it has been described as one of the most polluted rivers in Southern Africa." Engineering News.

News Snippets

African universities should step up climate research - Sonjica - Source: Engineering News

SA's Industrial Development Corp takes stake in Kenya Wind Project - Source: Engineering News

SA seeks to make virtue of necessity with green-industries plan - Source: Engineering News

"Eskom Goes Low Carbon" News article - A closer look. Source: Renewed Energy

Trevor Manual appointed to UN Climate Group - Source: MSN News

Deforestation Conference - Some Feedback - Source: Red Orbit

Landfill sites to be Elimanated? Source: IOL

International Monetary Fund Working on $100bn a Year Green Fund

This Engineering News article reports: "The International Monetary Fund (IMF) was “working on the idea of a green fund” to raise $100-billion a year by 2020 to mitigate the impacts of climate change on developing economies, IMF MD Dominique Strauss-Kahn told a conference in Kenya on Monday."

Van Schalkwyk to be new UN Climate Chief?

This Engineering News article informs us that: "The South African government has put forward the name of Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk to the United Nations (UN) to potentially lead the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)."

SA to have selected first renewable IPP Projects by Q3

This Engineering News article tells us that: "By the third quarter of 2010, South Africa would have selected the renewable energy independent power producers (IPPs) to meet the country's target of 10 000 GWh of renewable energy by 2013, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) full-time regulator for electricity Thembani Bukula said on Tuesday."

Santam to facilitate burst-geyser conversion to solar

This Engineering News article reports that: "Short-term insurer Santam confirmed on Wednesday that its residential clients would be able to replace burst electrical geysers with solar water heaters (SWHs), following the conclusion of a partnership with State-owned power utility Eskom, which has a rebate programme in place to support such a conversion process."

SA Businesses Want Clear Environmental Regulation Policy

Read more, here on Engineering News.

News in a Flash

Energy Targets - Guateng vs Western Cape
http://clean-energy.blogspot.com/2010/02/proposed-gauteng-vs-western-cape-energy.html

Carbon Tax
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/carbon-tax-could-cause-preemptive-buying-brand-pretorius-2010-03-01

http://clean-energy.blogspot.com/2010/02/car-carbon-tax.html

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/carbon-tax-discussion-document-to-be-released-by-mid-year-2010-02-22

Food for Fuel?
http://clean-energy.blogspot.com/2010/02/maize-farmers-urge-u-turn-on-biofuels.html

Eskom Tariff Increases vs Municipal Increases
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/energy-minister-implores-municipalities-to-heed-nersas-tariff-guidelines-2010-02-25

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/nersa-moves-to-prevent-municipalities-from-milking-eskom-price-hike-2010-02-24

Nersa approves 24,8% Eskom tariff hike for 2010, followed by two more of 25%-plus
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/nersa-approves-248-eskom-tariff-hike-for-201011-2010-02-24

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/regulator-sets-much-vaunted-block-tariff-structure-in-motion-2010-02-24

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/electricity-demand-to-return-to-2007-level-this-year---eskom-2010-02-24

Energy Planning
Energy Department to publish IRP2 by June
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/maqubela-2010-02-24

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/public-consultation-on-irp2-to-begin-in-april---doe-official-2010-02-19

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/high-level-committee-working-on-20-year-energy-vision---zuma-2010-02-11

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/competitive-bidding-may-be-preferable-to-licensing-energy-regulator-muses-2010-02-09

Coal Company into Clean Energy?
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/exxaro-to-form-clean-energy-company-2010-02-25-1

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/exxaro-targets-2-000-mw-from-renewable-sources-by-2030-2010-02-09

Nuclear undercurrents
http://clean-energy.blogspot.com/2010/02/nuclear-uncurrents.html

Socio-enviro Costs to be Considered When Making Power Choices
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/social-enviro-costs-must-be-included-when-making-power-choices-2010-02-23

Cutting Emissions

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/more-countries-pledge-to-cut-emissions-under-copenhagen-accord-2010-02-22

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/sa-business-urged-to-take-climate-action-early-2010-02-17

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/greenhouse-targets-no-burden-on-business---sonjica-2010-02-15

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/govt-urged-to-be-clear-on-climate-policy-2010-02-09

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/developing-nations-should-shift-towards-clean-growth-unctad-2010-02-08

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/sa-signs-climate-cooperation-agreement-with-australia-2010-02-05

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/copenhagen-generates-more-heat-than-light-for-business-and-policymakers-2010-02-05

Joule News

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/refined-pe-produced-joule-to-go-on-show-in-geneva-2010-02-22

Solar Geyser Project - Free State
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/advisers-sought-for-big-free-state-solar-geyser-project-2010-02-17

Green Building

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/jda-adds-green-building-to-inner-city-regeneration-awards-2010-02-11