SANCCOB INVITES YOU TO ‘JOIN HANDS ACROSS THE SAND’ ON BLOUBERG BEACH
Join hands across the sands with SANCCOB, Rocky SANCCOB ‘s ambassador penguin, and conservation-minded people on Saturday 26 June on Blouberg Beach at 11.45am to say YES to clean energy.
On Saturday the Blouberg chain will form part of a global a human chain which will take a strong stand against offshore drilling and show support for those suffering in the Gulf of Mexico.
Saturday’s event is an opportunity for like-minded people to come together to show their commitment to clean energy .
SANCCOB is bringing along Rocky to remind people that ocean-related pollution is a real threat to penguins and other seabirds. African penguins, which are endemic to South Africa and Namibia, are under threat and have recently been reclassified as ENDANGERED on the IUCN Red Data List. Oil pollution is rated as one of the major factors which has contributed towards the decline of the wild populations.
We will be meeting on Blouberg Beach in front of News Café from 11h45. Please wear green and bring placards saying yes to clean energy and calling for responsible citizen action to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
Contact or Margaret Roestorf on 082 495 6339 / 021 557 6155 or Jessica Thorn on 084 553 5234 for more information/directions.
See http://handsacrossthesand.com
Friday, June 25, 2010
International "Hands Across the Sand" campaign taking place tomorrow, 26th June 2010
This USA event has turned international. It is an action you can take on 26 June 2010 at your local beach to say 'no to offshore oil drilling' and 'yes to clean energy'! Find out more here.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
New Developments/Inventions
New Zealand scientists invent sewage recycling solution. Read more here, on Simply Green.
Researchers hope to train bacteria to extract sustainable biofuel from cellulosic biomass - Simply Green
Researchers hope to train bacteria to extract sustainable biofuel from cellulosic biomass - Simply Green
Nersa to publish revised energy-efficiency regulatory rules by Sept
This Engineering News article reports "Nersa invited public comments on the document, which is available on its website, before July 20. The regulator will hold public hearings in early August, and plans to publish the revised regulatory rules by September."
EU sees solar power imported from Sahara in 5 yrs
This Engineering News article reports "Europe will import its first solar-generated electricity from North Africa within the next five years, European Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said in an interview on Sunday."
Monday, June 21, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Morocco solar plant draws big investor interest
This Engineering News article tells us that "Investor interest in phase one of Morocco's $9-billion solar power scheme has exceeded expectations with about 200 firms submitting expressions of interest, the head of Morocco's solar power agency said.
The Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN) is inviting bids from investors interested in building a solar power station near the southern town of Ouarzazate with a capacity of 500 megawatts (MW), or enough to power about 90 000 homes."
The Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN) is inviting bids from investors interested in building a solar power station near the southern town of Ouarzazate with a capacity of 500 megawatts (MW), or enough to power about 90 000 homes."
Thursday, June 17, 2010
17 June 2010 - World Day to Combat Desertification
Message from Luc Gnacadja, Executive Secretary of United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification:
"Six to ten inches (18-25 cm) of topsoil are all that stand between us and extinction. There’s far more to this than food. The things that live in and grow from this irreplaceable and finite resource also keep us clothed, the air and water clean, the land green and pleasant and the human soul refreshed. Only now are we starting to comprehend how the tiny life forms in soil sustain productivity and the greater environmental balance." ... Read more here.
"Six to ten inches (18-25 cm) of topsoil are all that stand between us and extinction. There’s far more to this than food. The things that live in and grow from this irreplaceable and finite resource also keep us clothed, the air and water clean, the land green and pleasant and the human soul refreshed. Only now are we starting to comprehend how the tiny life forms in soil sustain productivity and the greater environmental balance." ... Read more here.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
LED lighting offsets part of World Cup carbon emissions
"In an effort to offset the carbon emissions generated as a result of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, European lighting technology provider Lemnis Lighting and local partners have started the Light-emitting diode (LED) Kick Off programme." Read more here, on Engineering News.
Wind Energy News
SA wind data website to be operational in September - Engineering News
Wind turbine maker Vestas sees SA as key emerging market - Engineering News
World Wind Energy Award 2010 to IRENA founders - Renewable Energy Focus
Wind turbine maker Vestas sees SA as key emerging market - Engineering News
World Wind Energy Award 2010 to IRENA founders - Renewable Energy Focus
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Energy efficiency regulations for new buildings published
"Trade and Industy Minister Rob Davies has published amendments to energy efficiency regulations, which would make it compulsory for all new buildings to be designed to a standard that minimised the energy use.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Monday invited interested parties to submit comments and input on the energy efficiency regulations for new buildings, which were published in the regulations section of Government Gazette No. 33265." More, here on Engineering News.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Monday invited interested parties to submit comments and input on the energy efficiency regulations for new buildings, which were published in the regulations section of Government Gazette No. 33265." More, here on Engineering News.
Monday, June 14, 2010
15th June - Global Wind Day
The 15th of June is Global Wind Day. "Global Wind Day is an awareness campaign for the promotion of wind energy worldwide. The messages are clear: wind energy tackles climate change, it boosts energy independence and it is an intelligent investment." Find out more here.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Energy News Snippets
Safa House installs solar water heating as part of ‘greening’ initiative - Engineering News
Search on for 5 000 MW to stablise SA's tight grid by 2016 - Engineering News
SA backs Norway’s $1bn bid to advance carbon capture and storage - Engineering News
Search on for 5 000 MW to stablise SA's tight grid by 2016 - Engineering News
SA backs Norway’s $1bn bid to advance carbon capture and storage - Engineering News
10 eco-towns planned for SA
This Southern African Alternative Energy Association(SAAEA)article reports that "THE government and the private sector are to launch a campaign that will protect the environment and keep cities clean.
Buyisela, which means give back, is a project by the department of water and environmental affairs , Indalo Yethu and Buyisa eBag.The project will create 10 eco-towns modelled on sustainability as a legacy project which will serve as a framework blueprint for other towns to follow."
Buyisela, which means give back, is a project by the department of water and environmental affairs , Indalo Yethu and Buyisa eBag.The project will create 10 eco-towns modelled on sustainability as a legacy project which will serve as a framework blueprint for other towns to follow."
Optimum colliery cleans up its water act
This Business Report tells how "Optimum Coal yesterday opened South Africa's second plant to treat water for acid mine drainage in Middelburg at a cost of R600 million, as the government said mining houses should clean up or risk eligibility for water-use licences."
Friday, June 11, 2010
SolaireDirect expects solar parks to take off in South Africa
Engineering News: "The fact that a solar park had no fuel costs was a definite advantage. "This has two important impacts, number one, we are not reliant on any fossil fuel, and in production we don't create any greenhouse gases. Furthermore, that gives price certainty. When you build a solar park you know on day number one what the electricity price from that solar park will be on the last day of the twenty-fifth or the thirtieth year of operation, so it introduces a commercial certainty to the price of electricity," Hammond reiterated.
"That is really where solar power has a significant role to play in a country like South Africa. Not just making our overall generation portfolio greener, but also providing price, and hence commercial stability to the cost of electricity," he concluded." Read more here, on Engineering News.
"That is really where solar power has a significant role to play in a country like South Africa. Not just making our overall generation portfolio greener, but also providing price, and hence commercial stability to the cost of electricity," he concluded." Read more here, on Engineering News.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
New energy-efficiency rating tool unveiled for SA buildings
This Engineering News article reports: "A new electricity consumption rating tool - which, if widely adopted, could set in motion the creation of a national energy-efficiency benchmark database of South Africa's building stock - was unveiled on Wednesday night, together with the identities of some of the country's top-performing corporate head offices and shopping centres.
The so-called ‘Energy Barometer' is the product of five years of research and development, undertaken by Energy Cybernetics."
The so-called ‘Energy Barometer' is the product of five years of research and development, undertaken by Energy Cybernetics."
City of Cape Town's Energy Plans
Check out this fairly recent Tygerburger newspaper article outlining the City's plans which includes reducing the City's electricity consumption by 10% by 2012 and to supply a 10% increase in renewable and cleaner energy supply by 2020 to low income/vunerable communities.
Greening initiatives launched to offset World Cup carbon emissions
"The three initiatives launched on Tuesday were: Greener lighting for World Cup host cities; green passport; and offsetting teams emissions." [...] "The green passport initiative was aimed at raising awareness, and encouraging visitors to make responsible travel choices while in the country.
The 32-page booklet would be distributed to 100 000 soccer spectators, and would be handed out by volunteers at airports and hotels for example." More on Engineering News.
The 32-page booklet would be distributed to 100 000 soccer spectators, and would be handed out by volunteers at airports and hotels for example." More on Engineering News.
IRP 2010 Sessions - Feedback
Necsa's push for nuclear power upsets renewable energy stakeholders - Engineering News - "The State-owned Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (Necsa) emphasised at the second day of the Integrated Resource Plan 2010 (IRP2010) stakeholder plenary session in Pretoria that nuclear was the only viable baseload option that could meet South Africa's future energy needs and counter carbon emissions." [...] "However, Linington's statements stirred the crowd with other stakeholders such as Climate Justice Now and Earthlife Africa rejecting nuclear as a baseload generation technology, owing to its financial and social costs being too high and nuclear waste and accidents posing a serious threat.
Smart Green Prosperity's John Joslin said that the IRP2010 process could not discriminate against the country's future generations. "The government cannot ignore the costly damage that would be inflicted on its people and environment if the wrong decisions were to be made."
DoE hints that mandatory savings will be part of power plan - Engineering News - This Engineering News informs us that "The Department of Energy (DoE) confirmed on Monday that demand-side management and energy efficiency would be key features of South Africa's second Integrated Resource Plan, or IRP2010, particularly between 2011 and 2013, when South Africa's already low reserve margin was likely to dip back into single figures."
Govt policies will be considered in structuring SA electricity plan - Engineering News - This article states: "South Africa's future energy mix is likely to comprise coal, nuclear, gas, renewable technologies, hydro and pumped storage. [...] Magubane emphasised that climate change policies and South Africa's drive to cut its carbon emissions would be accounted for in the structuring of the IRP2010. South Africa committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 34% below the business-as-usual growth trajectory by 2025."
Interim ISMO may be established to facilitate IPP deals - Engineering News - "The Department of Energy (DoE) confirmed on Monday that it was considering establishing an interim Independent Systems and Market Operator (ISMO) to facilitate buying arrangements with independent power producers (IPPs) trying to enter the South African market."
Exxaro to build clean energy power plants - Engineering News - "South African diversified miner Exxaro said on Tuesday it planned to develop clean energy power projects with total capacity of 350 MW with the first project expected to come on stream in mid-2012."
Smart Green Prosperity's John Joslin said that the IRP2010 process could not discriminate against the country's future generations. "The government cannot ignore the costly damage that would be inflicted on its people and environment if the wrong decisions were to be made."
DoE hints that mandatory savings will be part of power plan - Engineering News - This Engineering News informs us that "The Department of Energy (DoE) confirmed on Monday that demand-side management and energy efficiency would be key features of South Africa's second Integrated Resource Plan, or IRP2010, particularly between 2011 and 2013, when South Africa's already low reserve margin was likely to dip back into single figures."
Govt policies will be considered in structuring SA electricity plan - Engineering News - This article states: "South Africa's future energy mix is likely to comprise coal, nuclear, gas, renewable technologies, hydro and pumped storage. [...] Magubane emphasised that climate change policies and South Africa's drive to cut its carbon emissions would be accounted for in the structuring of the IRP2010. South Africa committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 34% below the business-as-usual growth trajectory by 2025."
Interim ISMO may be established to facilitate IPP deals - Engineering News - "The Department of Energy (DoE) confirmed on Monday that it was considering establishing an interim Independent Systems and Market Operator (ISMO) to facilitate buying arrangements with independent power producers (IPPs) trying to enter the South African market."
Exxaro to build clean energy power plants - Engineering News - "South African diversified miner Exxaro said on Tuesday it planned to develop clean energy power projects with total capacity of 350 MW with the first project expected to come on stream in mid-2012."
Friday, June 4, 2010
World Environment Day, 5th June 2010
Did you know that 5th June is World Environment Day [WED] and June is Environment month? "World Environment Day (WED) 2010 is aimed to be the biggest, most widely celebrated, global day for positive, environmental action. Commemorated on 5 June since 1972, WED is one of the principal vehicles through which the UN stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and encourages political attention and action." Find out more about how you can get involved in this campaign here. For those of you living in the Western Cape, consider joining us on 16th June 2010 (Weds) from 10h30 to 12h00 in Milnerton for our Annual General Meeting. We will be presenting a list of projects at the meeting which you can head up or get involved in. For more information or to r.s.v.p., contact us on info at freelifeonearth.org.
Also check out this Urban Sprout article for more great ideas from other similar-minded organisations.
Also check out this Urban Sprout article for more great ideas from other similar-minded organisations.
Kenyan Companies Generating Own Power to Save Costs
This Engineering News article informs us how, in Kenya, companies are looking at generating their own power to save on costs. Although, we may not agree with their choice of power generation, this article points to the solution of decentralising power generation and would be a great way for SA companies to do the same, if only they are provided with an enabling environment to do so and if their choice of power is renewable.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
News Snippets
June will be a ‘watershed month’ for climate talks – WWF - Engineering News
Guateng Outlines Green-economy Plan - Engineering News
GridCars' electric vehicle project hopes for transport revolution - Engineering News
Guateng Outlines Green-economy Plan - Engineering News
GridCars' electric vehicle project hopes for transport revolution - Engineering News
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