Report of the Portfolio Committee on Energy undertook to host public
hearings on energy efficiency on 05 - 06 September 2012, dated 12 March 2014
1. Introduction
1.1.
Purpose
of the report
The purpose of this report is to report back to the
National Assembly on the findings of the PC on Energy’s public hearings on
energy efficiency.
1.2.
Background
Improved
energy efficiency is now widely regarded as an essential part of sustainable
development, and an effective means to ensure that there is adequate energy
supplies to address economic, social and environmental challenges.
A
variety of policies and measures are being used in both developed and
developing countries to realize energy efficiency opportunities, but with
varying degrees of success. Energy efficiency is a cross-cutting activity
spanning all functions of government, business and society. For this reason an
integrated approach is essential to achieving sustained energy efficiency
gains.
Significant
indigenous coal and mineral reserves have provided a competitive advantage for
the South African economy, and this legacy is the root of a modern
industrialized economy. South Africa is a developing nation with significant
heavy and extractive industry components as part of the economy, contributing
to placing it high in international rankings of energy intensive countries.
Improving
energy efficiency is now recognized as a cost-effective means to improving many
aspects of sustainability. Furthermore South Africa faces considerable
electricity supply constraints for the foreseeable future. Further, it is still
overly dependent on coal powered electricity generation, lacks sufficient local
refining capacity, faces a tipping point in energy prices and is characterized
by various, inconsistent policies calling for greater energy efficiency. A
strategic and integrated approach to energy efficiency offers the opportunity
to spur economic development and much needed job creation, while supporting key
social and environmental objectives.
1.3.
Purpose
of the public hearings
The revision of the South African National Energy
Efficiency Strategy is essential in order to enhance the co-ordination of
National Energy Efficiency Programmes and Incentives, which are envisaged to
result in an improvement in the overall national energy efficiency and hence
reduce the energy intensity of the economy.
The public hearings will form part of the roadmap
to engage with the Department of Energy (DoE) and make recommendations when the
Energy Efficiency Strategy is revised by the department. This is necessary as
the country remains short of reaching the targets it had set across all
sectors.
2.
Submissions
The following individuals and entities made oral
presentations to the committee:
2.1. Pert
Industrials
Mr Peter Horszowski, a sales representative with
Pert Industrials (and also appearing in a private capacity), introduced Pert as
a company that has been manufacturing technical and scientific educational
materials since 1967. The company is located in Johannesburg and had 20 staff
members including engineers and educators.
In an effort to show the committee that there are variable ways to generate
power he illustrated the effectiveness of the thermo-electric converter which,
with one leg in hot water and one in cool water, could generate power through
energy conversion from heat to electricity. This tool is related to a Stirling
engine which works with temperature differences to generate power. Although the
thermo-electric converter is usable as an educational tool it is not for
commercial production of power.
Pert is also involved in educational activities and workshops at schools as it was
emphasised that teachers are facing more and more challenges at schools; with
large class sizes, and little time to teach subjects which are not in the
curriculum. Some possible solutions to dealing with South Africa’s energy
crisis would be more activities in schools on energy storage, distribution,
efficiency and renewable.
He also strongly expressed that work done in primary schools to teach school
children about energy would trickle down to parents at home and make a
difference in communities. If children are talking about it, parents would then
have a strong incentive to become involved.
2.2. Mr
D. Coetzee
Mr Coetzee, a farmer from the Northern Cape, appeared
before the committee as a private citizen. He expressed a need for more energy
generation capacity in South Africa. He noted three potential choices for
energy generation in South Africa; coal- but had the consequence of global
warming, nuclear power – which could lead to a nuclear disaster, and finally
renewable- however they come at a high cost.
He demonstrated, via graphs, that there is a high demand for electricity by
households from 7:00pm -11:00pm and emphasised that more energy efficient
technology, such as solar irrigation systems are not popular but could provide
an interesting solution for the future of energy consumption.
Noting the energy potential of solar power in South Africa, due to the amount
of annual sunlight, the benefits of home power generation with Photo Voltaic
solar power are high.
Possible solutions to the current energy crunch in the country are solar power
cars for short distances of up to 100km per day, home solar systems.
2.3. Saint-Gobain
Construction Products
Mr Bruce Murray, National Sales Executive,
Saint-Gobain, said that Saint-Gobain is a construction products company with 5
divisions which included gyproc, isover (insulation products), weber (mortars),
PAM (cast iron pipes), and Norton (abrasives).
This could be achieved via a retrofitting plan for existing buildings thereby
assisting the DOE in their strategy of energy savings in commercial and
residential buildings. Possible interventions included installing wall and
ceiling insulation in government subsidised housing projects.
Health concerns brought forth in the Nedlac report (2003) where R2.3 billion was
spent on healthcare due to respiratory diseases caused by poor indoor air
quality from the burning of wood, paraffin and other fossil fuels for heat and
cooking showed a need for better EE standards in
homes. Advantages derived from interventions included increased energy
efficiency, decreased driver for burning fossil fuels and better health
outcomes with decreased costs.
In terms of job creation, from countries with similar programmes in place,
measurements show that jobs created by retrofitting existing buildings, outpaced
those derived from generating energy. Further jobs would result from onsite
trainings and new training programmes.
To conclude it was emphasised that New Building Regulations would go far in
achieving energy savings in building stock and it was strongly suggested that a
retrofitting program should be implemented immediately which would create jobs
and improve the health of residents.
2.4. South
African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI)
Mr Barry Bredenkamp, Senior Manager on Energy
Efficiency, SANEDI, opened with a presentation on the measurement and
verification processes involving energy efficiency (EE). It was emphasised that
EE covers a far broader spectrum than simply electricity efficiency but that Liquid Petroleum Gas
(LPG) and other forms of power generation which are all part of the mix.
According to SANEDI there is currently an approved national standard on how to
report and measure energy savings which is known as SANS 50010. This is the
blueprint guideline. However there are not sufficient number professionals in
South Africa to cope with the demand for measurement as only seven universities
nationwide are dealing with this area.
The current situation in South Africa is that Eskom received R5.4 billion of
tax payer’s money for energy efficiency and Demand Side Management implementation
(EEDSM) through the MYPD2 allocation (via NERSA). The funding window is over a
3 year period and is required to deliver 1037MW in demand savings and 4055MW of
energy savings. The monitoring and verification function to ensure these
targets are met however, resides with Eskom and this is seen as a dire conflict
of interest.
The gaps in the current context did not take the national picture into
consideration; e.g. solar water heaters (SWH) 1 million target had progressed
to 200 000. However although it is said these would provide free hot water, in
poorer areas they had always lived without hot water but now with a 150L SWH
there is a need to tell people that water is an expensive resource and that the
water consumption cost goes up as water consumption increases.
There is also a focus on electrical energy which excluded the socio-economic
impacts on sectoral jobs, job creation, and environmental impacts. The basic
example of changing a light bulb was given; since with newer EE bulbs have a
longer life span, there is no longer a need to change bulbs and therefore
manual jobs would be lost as a consequence of better technology.
In 2008 with rolling black outs in Cape Town, free two plate LPG gas stoves were
issued if customers traded their electric power stove, however this led to a
gas shortage. Measures like this simply moved the problem from one resource to
the other and are not considered long term solutions.
Further it was strongly emphasised that no penalties had been levied on any
non-compliant projects to date. This meant putting at risk national planning
for energy efficiency as a resource, since no one is looking at the
consolidated picture, hence potentially, measurements could be 100 percent off
the mark.
Proposed solutions to these issues included the consolidation of the
measurement and verification function for all energy efficiency initiatives
into one common portal with a central repository of auditable and value adding
data such as electrical energy and demand savings, fuel switching impacts,
economic sectoral impacts and jobs created.
SANEDI
on the National Energy Efficiency Agency (NEEA)
Mr Kadri Nassiep, Chief Executive Officer, South
African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) noted, in his
introduction, that problems with energy efficiency (EE) were found
internationally, with an actual rise in the use of coal. China, for example, is
responsible for almost half of the world’s coal consumption and is responsible
for 87 percent growth in the coal market. He said comprehensive subsidies were
still handed out for fossil fuels, in South Africa and throughout the world,
while there is not enough emphasis on EE, and there is the problem of
financiers not understanding EE.
He noted that the body “National Energy Efficiency Agency (NEEA)” no
longer existed; instead the body is referred to as the South African National
Energy Development Institute –Energy Efficiency (SANEDI-EE).This was in-line
with the National Energy Act, the DoE’s recommendation and SANEDI’s decision to
adopt a monolithic brand position. It was also aimed at avoiding further
confusion in the market.
SANEDI turned to the key strategies developed. Key strategies included an
analysis of the skills gap for energy management, and the policy mapping
exercise, (together with the Department of Energy), which is just awaiting the
signature of the Minister as the study had been completed. There is also the
need for an Alternate Energy Framework for households in SA to deal with
household fuels. He found it shocking that the Paraffin Safety Association of
South Africa (PSASSA) had closed its doors. SANEDI is also assisting the DoE
with NEES and National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) development and
the development of standards and labelling for EE-appliances. SANEDI noted the
diplomatic EE Strategy to co-ordinate and align international funding of
foreign governments with embassies in SA, as well as embassies in
less-developed countries, with the emphasis on greening of embassies.
SANEDI outlined some current projects, noting that the development of
solar-powered traffic signals was initiated and piloted by SANEDI and is now
being implemented by various local authorities. A draft green IT strategy was
developed for SA, but the project had not attained momentum. The pumping
energy efficiency initiative in municipalities is still being
pursued and would hopefully be included in the next round of the Division of
Revenue Act (DORA) funding applications. He noted the implementation of a big
EE project, funded by the Wupperthal Institute in Germany, which involved the
benchmarking of EE-policies, processes and technologies in, predominantly, the
BRICS countries of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. There is also
the hosting of a French Development Agency (AFD)-funded Technical Assistance
Facility (TAF), for an EE-and- Renewable Energy (RE) green credit line
to three commercial banks in SA.
SANEDI spoke about liquid fuels/transport; saying
that it is a key area that had to date been neglected, being restricted
primarily to the conversion of vehicles to Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). He also
outlined the SANEDI research work into bio fuels and transport modelling. South
Africa unfortunately did not yet have a reliable system of public transport,
but there are alternatives to conventional petrol-driven transportation. SANEDI
is working with other role-players to break through the limitations,
particularly through a fee-bait system to encourage people to purchase EE and
electronic vehicles. He urged that many similar measures needed to be
introduced.
SANEDI talked about envisaged future projects and noted SA had joined the
“Clean Energy Ministerial–Working Group (CEM-WG) on Cool Roofs” and had
formally appointed SANEDI as the local representative on this working group. He
said cool surfaces are a high-impact, low-cost, short-payback investment that improved
buildings by cutting net energy use; helped roofs and the equipment on them
last longer, and improved the comfort of non air-conditioned buildings, while
the opposite applied to galvanized roofs. He said a pilot project would be
introduced shortly in Gauteng to demonstrate the improved effects associated
with cool roofing.
SANEDI is also hosting the GIZ-funded GIS specialist and system, mapping every
Solar Water Heater (SWH) installed in the country, which is an exciting and
helpful tool for data to keep track of the further roll out the project,
together with the cool roofs initiative.
SANEDI turned to stakeholder engagement, stating
that SANEDI continued to play a crucial role in engaging all stakeholders to
avoid a fragmented system and to advance the need for a more-focussed
EE-delivery solution for the country. It is an active member of all EE-related
technical committees, an active member of the National Business Initiative
(NBI) led the Energy Efficiency Leadership Network (EELN) and various other
working groups (WGs) related to EE.
General comments are that SANEDI co-hosted the South African German Energy
(SAGEN) programme, with support from GIZ, to address EE-activities. SANEDI-EE
continued to provide an advisory and advocacy role in addressing numerous areas
as well as bringing in international technical capacity, which will be
available to SA in general, in about the next three years. He noted the
research produced through SANEDI’s EE hub based at the University of Pretoria.
90 students had already been put through the system, with a high percentage
being previously disadvantaged individuals (PDIs), although the proportion of
female students needed to be improved.
He concluded that although it appeared that the need and awareness for EE in SA
is escalating, the activities are becoming more fragmented and the nature of
the industry is leading to duplication and wastage, as seen in proposed
directorates that would duplicate efforts in different departments. Proper
co-ordination is needed, using DoE as the lead department, focussing on
policy-development whilst SANEDI should focus on the co-ordination of
implementation activities, performance tracking and consolidated national
reporting.
Finally, in the South African context, SANEDI mentioned the good work done by
Renewable Energy-Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) in bringing in
neighbouring countries into the EE space.
2.5. Energy Efficiency in the
cities of the Southern Cape Karoo by George Municipality
Mr Kevin Grunewaldt, City Energy Support Unit
Manager, George Municipality, said that George would like to be energy
self-sufficient by 2030 and is in talks with Eskom to put up a 500kW energy
station. From 2006 the so-called Western Cape problem had emerged which brought
about load shedding in those years and since then municipalities had looked at
demand side management systems with the city energy support group in particular,
being supported by the British Government in that regard.
The implementation of energy efficiency strategy had arisen out of the 2008
national electricity crisis which resulted in new EE technology being
implemented on the 9th June 2009 and municipalities had begun
looking at new sources of energy generation. Since then five municipalities had
submitted EE informed business plans for the past three years. On September 3,
2012 new business plans have been submitted for the current year.
The Eskom grid at the Mossel Bay Proteus 400-132kv substation could save nearly
100MW with huge room for maximum demand and energy efficient measures.
The Western Cape total base load of 5200MW had to be transported by
transmission lines coming down from the De Aar main transmission system. Weekly
there is 180MW generated with a total base load average of 320MW so that it
becomes necessary to try and develop, through energy efficiency, a smoothing
out of the demand so that there is no need to run expensive peaking plants.
There are various ways to control this which include, for example, cutting off
geysers in households in the George municipality, and currently municipalities are
doing this on their own. This means that a peak at Proteus at 7pm would be
possible due to a peak at George that could happen at 8pm and is necessary to
smooth out growth and hence decrease demands on the system.
In the Southern Cape Karoo, 50 percent of the load is coming from residential
customers and there are two ways to solve this peak demand issue: one is to
employ a more aggressive demand side management approach, while the other would
create a time of use tariff on domestic customers to penalise people
effectively shifting the load from peak to off peak periods.
Energy efficiency is the cheapest way to defer building of power stations and
with embedded renewable energy, even more savings could be realised. Every
local municipality must have at least 5MW of renewable energy generation
through solar, wind, or biomass. It is also emphasised that local
municipalities are the best service delivery mechanism for energy efficiency
and renewable power generation.
Local municipalities have proven without a doubt that allowed the space to lead
their own energy efficiency programmes savings are inevitable.
The chairperson asked for more information from other municipalities and
possible gaps. He wished to know about best practises across municipalities
with a stated need for greater participation from SALGA.
2.6. Energy
Intensive User Group (EIUG)
Mr Mike Rossouw, EIUG Chairman, said that there is
some good news: objectives are in place but the fundamental problem is that
there is no effective strategy in place. Corrections are needed in some areas.
EIUG had developed a scorecard. Before starting any endeavour, a fact base was
needed as objectives are arbitrary at present.
The EIUG said that EIUG had consulted widely, including with international
partners. The biggest growth area in Africa is for housing, which would require
energy. As countries developed, their energy needs are initially satisfied by
the use of wood and fossil fuel sources and eventually moved on to other energy
sources.
The EIUG said the majority of domestic consumption is during the morning and
evening peak hours. It is a myth that nothing was being done about energy
efficiency. He demonstrated the different aspects of power usage, such as
lighting and water heating, and the demands that they made on the electricity
grid.
The EIUG said a framework was needed which would analyse why targets were not
being met. Various factors were considered in developing this framework,
focussing on each aspect of energy. An example of one of these was lighting. A
desktop study had been done in 2007. This had shown that the mining industry is
the biggest consumer of energy. Theoretical potential for energy saving had
been identified, and so to, the difficulty in achieving such savings. Eskom had
done a survey which showed that residential consumption is 17 percent of the
total national consumption. The survey went further in determining the amount
of power used by different household applications, such as water heating,
kitchen appliances and lighting.
Some energy use could be regarded as compressible, loosely categorised as
luxuries, and non-compressible. For example, more efficient water heating
methods could be used but if the structure of the house is not thermally
efficient, it would have to be rebuilt to achieve greater efficiency.
The EIUG said that they advocated a bottom up approach. A base line should be
established at a facility level. This would move to an activity and then a
sector level.
2.7. ESKOM
Mr Andrew Etzinger, Eskom Senior General Manager,
said that Eskom had been involved with energy efficiency for a number of years.
The reasons for energy efficiency are clear. This is the quickest tool to
implement, to manage energy supply and a number of other advantageous to the
economy. Efficiency programmes would also create jobs.
The load shedding of 2008, when the Koeberg station
had gone off-line, had been the first illustration of the need for energy
efficiency. Eskom had started a campaign of encouraging energy efficiency and
the use of alternative sources, such as gas stoves, as well as an awareness
campaign of the load on the system. This is in the form of advertising a power
alert on television. This worked well. There is still a constraint on the
supply of power, and this problem would have to be dealt with in the long term.
Decisions on new power stations would have to be taken soon, but these would be
long-term plans. Energy saving is needed now.
Eskom said that maintenance is being done, but the programme had been cut back
in order to keep enough supply available. Energy efficiency programmes need to
be pursued vigorously. Eskom has an energy efficiency programme in place,
funded from tariffs. Eskom set a target of 1 037 MW demand savings and 4 055
GWh energy savings over a three year period. Targets are being met, and
performance is audited. The output of more than five generators had been saved.
The energy savings for 2011/12 is equivalent to the annual consumption of
Buffalo City municipality in a year. Practices such as using light emitting
diode (LED) lights, heat pumps or solar water heating is achieving savings.
Over 54 million compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) bulbs had been distributed,
the largest such programme in the world. The World Bank recognised Eskom's
achievements.
Eskom said that consumption is heaviest during the winter months, increasing as
the temperature dropped.
Eskom said that skills development and localisation are addressed on an ongoing
basis by Eskom. Local manufacturing of solar water heating systems is
encouraged although some components have to be imported.
Eskom said that there was a 300 percent increase in the number of Energy
Services Companies (ESCOs). Eskom itself is leading by example and had more
than achieved its targets. One example is the use of solar panels to provide
shaded parking at Megawatt Park which provides a large portion of the
building's energy consumption.
Eskom said that initiatives could not be relaxed. Energy efficiency and demand
side management would help to ensure security of supply. Continuity in Eskom's
programmes is essential.
2.8. Council
for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Mr Llewellyn van Wyk, CSIR Principal Researcher,
complimented Eskom on their achievements. The World Energy Outlook of 2010
would target buildings. People worked, lived, worshipped and played in
buildings. Non-residential buildings are the biggest growth sector. In South
Africa the situation is no different. Fossil fuels are being used for energy,
contributing to the greenhouse gas problem.
The CSIR said that the slowdown in the construction sector is cyclic. The
global figure of energy use in the built environment is 40 percent. The South
African figure is slightly lower. The figures are stable. There are reasons to
examine the way buildings are designed.
The CSIR said that lighting is a major component of energy usage, together with
cooling systems, in the face of increasing temperatures, and office machinery.
The same kind of efficiencies achieved in lighting needed to be mirrored in
cooling and office equipment consumption. There is a major opportunity for
savings.
The CSIR said that there is a bigger problem. There is a challenge in that the
base construction materials are plentiful. The challenge is in the energy
requirement to convert these base materials into a form suitable for building.
One needed to understand the pattern of consumption. Transport used energy.
Water had to be pumped to cities, and had to be pumped throughout the cycle of
supply. The cycle is energy intensive.
The CSIR said that if 100 units of electricity are originally available, only 9
percent are actually used. This highlighted the level of losses along
transmission.
The CSIR said that one of the problems is containing urban sprawl.
Densification would only happen when sprawl is contained, and services could be
delivered to a more compact area. He used the example of Phoenix in the United
States of America in how cities should blend into the environment.
The CSIR said that transport is another area for savings. A massive opportunity
had been missed with the Gautrain. People should be moved towards major
transport nodes rather than relying on massive car parks. The full range of
public transport should be considered. If this is done then proper urban
development could be considered. He showed another example from the USA where
residential and commercial properties shared energy sources.
The CSIR said that it had been able to cut the energy requirements of a typical
reconstruction and development programme (RDP) house by 50 percent through more
efficient design. There is a test site at CSIR site in Pretoria.
The CSIR supported small-scale solutions. Small buildings could become
independent of water, electricity and sewerage grids. A building satisfying
this requirement is being developed in Port Elizabeth. If a building could run
itself, neutral energy and water requirements could be achieved. A South
African model is being planned.
The CSIR said that the construction industry should be transformed by the use
of energy efficient materials. Another initiative is to design construction (of
buildings) to eliminate wastage. There are regulations to police dumping but
they are difficult to enforce.
The CSIR said that some energy saving could be achieved in existing buildings,
but more needed to be done to encourage savings. A project in Kleinmond had
recently been completed. Although the measures looked modest, in solar panels
and a rainwater tank, massive energy and water savings had been achieved and
waste had been reduced. If such designs could be used when the housing backlog is
addressed there would be massive benefits for the country. Government had a
fantastic opportunity to achieve significant energy efficiencies.
2.9. Prof
X. Xia: Centre
of New Energy Systems (CNES) – University of Pretoria
The national Hub is a five year project initiated
by the South African National Energy Research Institute (SANERI). It is hosted
by the Centre of New Energy Systems at the University of Pretoria. There are
programmes across various disciplines, including Electrical, Electronic and
Computer Engineering (EECE), Chemical Engineering, mechanical engineering,
civil and bio engineering and architecture. Graduate, honours, masters and PhD
programmes are available. The programme has received a number of awards since
its inception...?
Experimental platforms had been developed, where a number of industrial
solutions had been developed. He listed the research topics being undertaken.
Open source training is provided. A tax incentive management system had been
devised.
Prof Xia said that the Hub had been launched in June 2008. Short courses and
open source training had been developed. The sixty papers produced by the Hub
equated to half of the papers produced in the country. Since 2008, the number
of students had increased from 27 to 109. Of the current number of students, 21
are female, 30 white, 48 black and 10 Asian. Only top students are selected for
the project.
Prof Xia said the intention is to develop a regional research centre, which
would be a national key lab on the model of the Lawrence Berkeley Lab. There
would be a joint SANEDI/UP brand and related infrastructure. UP would provide
the land and SANEDI the budget. There also would be an input from the
Department of Higher Education and Training.
2.10. Prof
Wilhelm Leuschner: Department of
Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering, University of Pretoria
Prof Wilhelm Leuschner, Department of Electrical,
Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Pretoria, claimed to be the
only person in the country with both a Masters and PhD in lighting. He wanted
to speak as a consumer. The current approach seemed to be to address the
symptoms rather than the cause. People questioned the value returned by their
investments, while those getting free handouts would not say no to such hand
outs.
Prof Leuschner questioned whether energy reduction was being chased at all
costs. He further claimed that electrical energy is being given a bad name.
There is no saving when consumers are urged to turn off devices such as geysers
and swimming pool pumps. The savings of turning appliances off rather than
leaving them on standby are negligible.
Prof Leuschner said that there are inconsistencies in campaigns to save fuel.
The battery-powered car is given a bad name, but the use of vehicles with
photo-cells should be encouraged. Less use of electricity would make Eskom less
profitable and might lead to higher taxes. Most energy saving systems are
expensive. Further, consumers had to be convinced of the benefits. A major
capital investment is needed, but this is hard to believe for a person with
immediate cash flow problems. Subsidies would be needed.
Prof Leuschner asked what happened when energy saving systems failed. Low
energy light bulbs did fail, and conventional bulbs might be used to replace
them. Industrial users could measure their energy usage, but domestic consumers
could only guess. A lamp should burn for at least three hours a day to repay
their higher cost. New technology would be available for LEDs in the next few
years.
Prof Leuschner said that energy saving gadgets are only of temporary benefit. He
also noted that in terms of investment in renewable sources, electricity use
would need to be increased to pay for their construction.
Prof Leuschner said that lighting is effective but should also be aesthetically
pleasing. He could not think of a single LED lamp that could match an
incandescent lamp in quality. There is great potential for LED lighting, and
the technology is being developed daily. The marketing and development of LED
lamps should be stimulated.
Prof Leuschner said that photovoltaic energy is the technology of the future.
Solar energy could be used to heat water, but could also be linked to
batteries. In Cape Town one could sell the energy derived in this manner back
to the municipal grid.
Prof Leuschner said that electric vehicles are available in the country. The
technology is simple, reliable and clean. Electric vehicles would support
energy saving. The philosophy of “energy reduction at all costs” might have been
the death-knell of the battery powered car. It is important to know what to
measure.
2.11. National
Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA)
Ms Bianka Belinska, Head of Department: Electricity
Infrastructure Planning, NERSA, defined the concepts of energy efficiency (EE),
demand side management (DSM) and demand management programmes. The advantages
of EEDSM are both economic and environmental in nature. In the first case it is
cheaper than creating new generation plants and further, had shorter lead times
to implement.
NERSA said that the EEDSM regulatory policy was introduced in 2004. Eskom started with the implementation of this
policy in 2005. Funding is through electricity tariffs. A percentage of Eskom
revenue had to be invested in EEDSM programmes. Funds for EEDSM would be
ring-fenced by Eskom. There would be measurement and verification procedures.
There would be a claw-back of the funds for EEDSM should targets not be
achieved. Annual reports are to be submitted. The EEDSM fund would be audited
annually.
NERSA said that several pillars are used in the EEDSM regulatory process. These
are measured against a five year plan submitted by Eskom, review of regulatory
rules, public consultation, regulatory analysis, regulatory determination,
measurement and verification, monitoring and reporting, annual reports, annual
audit and reconciliation of revenue.
NERSA highlighted some achievements, including the implementation of 974
projects. There was an accumulated peak demand saving of 2 604MW. The estimated
accumulated peak energy saving was 19 960 GWh.
NERSA said that there had been a considerable acceleration in demand savings in
recent years. EEDSM has been included as a resource option in the development
of the IRP. The approved IRP 2010 included a cumulative amount of 3 420 MW in
demand savings. Programmes implemented to date included the CFL replacement
campaigns, LED lighting and solar water heaters.
NERSA suggested ways of improving on energy efficiency. Clearer government
policies are needed. The role and obligations of NERSA should be clarified.
Co-ordination is needed between government departments, policies and
institutional mechanisms. Incentives should be diversified. Targets should be
set. Institutional oversight is needed. Information mechanisms should be
developed to gather and disseminate information. The Independent Systems and
Market Operator (ISMO) Bill would place control of supply and demand in the
hands of the System Operator. Government policy should provide municipalities
with guidelines. The measurement and verification function should include
small-scale broad based black economic empowerment concerns, and should operate
independently of the fund administrator.
2.12. National
Union of Metalworkers of SA (NUMSA)
Mr Woody Aroun, NUMSA Parliamentary Officer, said
that the country is the thirteenth highest carbon emitter in the world. According
to NUMSA some major energy users has made significant savings with regard to
energy efficiency. The Department of Energy was due to release an energy
efficiency strategy document in 2011 but there is no sign of this yet.
NUMSA said that the accord on energy efficiency is a voluntary one. Energy
efficiency is left in the hands of the private sector. The National Business
Initiative (NBI) and Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) felt that voluntary
efforts made by business to conserve energy should be recognised. Any power
rationing should be applied fairly across all sectors of the economy. There should be more engagement from
government. Government should provide incentives for business. More support was
needed for SANEDI. There is a need for training in energy management. Support has
become a one-sided affair. Business is setting the agenda. There is no civil
society involvement. Trade Unions and civil society had been absent from the
policy development process. The only reference from DoE to civil society is a
referral to the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac).
Other feedback showed that companies are affecting energy efficiency measures,
but there is little involvement with the unions. Management is seen to be
taking all the credit. Unions should be taking a position on energy efficiency
and not just negotiating wages and conditions of employment.
NUMSA said that it had its own plans. The first was a review of
government-supported solar water heating projects. Many NUMSA members worked at
these manufacturers. 40 percent of solar heaters are now imported from China to
the detriment of local manufacturers. The second plan is to implement
regulation on energy efficiency of buildings. Local content requirements had to
remain part of the programme. A massive contract for low-pressure solar heaters
had gone to a company that imported most of its stock.
NUMSA said that the third plan is the review of energy efficiency strategy.
Finally, NUMSA is determining its position on a proposed carbon tax. NUMSA’s
energy research and development groups (RDGs) would focus on energy efficiency
and renewable energy.
NUMSA said that energy efficiency will continue to be prejudiced until all
stakeholders became involved.
2.13. General
Electric South Africa
Mr Lwazi Sikwebu, Commercial Manager, General
Electric SA, said that the transport and industry sectors are the largest users
of energy in South Africa. Iron and steel is the heaviest user, at 28 percent.
The company manufactures high quality CFL and other light bulbs. It produced
diesel powered generator sets. It manufactures energy storage batteries and
rooftop solar panels. It developed a solar-powered traffic light although this
could not yet be put into service. One of their products is a motion sensor
which could switch off lights when there is no longer movement in an area.
General Electric SA said that General Electric SA is heavily involved in the
transport sector. Initiatives include energy efficient railway locomotives,
battery powered cars and hybrid buses.
General Electric SA said that the company had developed systems that could
harness heat to produce electricity from any industrial process producing heat.
Up to 125 kW of electricity could be generated from these systems. This could
even be done with the heat produced by an electric generator to develop more
power. A gas engine was designed which could recycle exhaust gases, leading to
substantive savings. Breweries used reverse osmosis techniques in the brewing
process, and this saved resources. Methane gas from grain could be used. The
company had developed a landfill solution for eThekwini Municipality.
General Electric SA said that there are many offerings for municipalities.
There are many losses due to leakages and inefficient transmission systems.
Municipalities are responsible for electricity reticulation.
General Electric SA said some quick wins are possible. Solar powered street
lamps could provide savings without a great capital expenditure. R20 billion
had been set aside by energy efficiency. General Electric SA had the capability
to deliver these programmes. He suggested that tax benefits should be allowed
for energy efficiency projects. There should be a balance between incentives
such as tax breaks, and negative incentives such as the carbon tax. There is no
reason why the Auditor-General should not comment on wasteful expenditure
regarding energy.
2.14. Southern
African Association of Energy Efficiency (SAAEE)
Prof LJ Grobler, Dean, Faculty of Engineering,
North West University and President of the Southern African Association for
Energy Efficiency (SAAEE), said that it is imperative to look at all energy sources.
Sources should be used in appropriate ways. The overall mix included energy
conservation, energy efficiency, energy substitution, re-generation and own
generation.
The SAAEE said that energy efficiency presents the biggest opportunity for
saving. The International Energy Agency (IEA) had concluded a study on the
expected global temperature increase of 2 degrees celcius. To meet the target
of a reduction in the carbon content of the atmosphere to 450 ppm of carbon
dioxide, energy efficiency strategies could contribute 38 percent to the mix of
strategies to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.
The SAAEE said that it is a volunteer organisation focused on energy
efficiency. It is a chapter of the USA based Association of Energy Engineers. The
Board of Directors are all volunteers.
Almost 2000 professionals had been trained in energy management and related
matters. SAAEE hosted an annual convention, and conducted awareness programmes
in all regions. Stakeholders included students, end-users and equipment
manufacturers.
The SAAEE said that it is not easy to define energy efficiency, but the concept
is not easy to understand. It is like trying to measure a void. The challenge is
to make this repeatable and transparent without discrediting the projects.
Exploitation of misinformed end-users placed the credibility of the industry at
risk.
The SAAEE said that knowledge and skills are the foundation for promotion of
energy efficiency. Children should be taught energy efficiency at school. This
had been done in Germany for some time, and that country is now reaping the
benefits. At tertiary level, a new career path should be created in energy
engineering. The management and accounting aspects of energy efficiency should
also be boosted. Energy programmes should carry a similar weight to safety
programmes. While PhD students might be needed, there is a requirement for
tertiary skills at all levels
The SAAEE said that Germany had reduced its overall energy consumption by 15
percent. The total amount of energy used per year is decreasing, while South
Africa still felt it necessary for growth to increase the energy capacity.
Education and awareness are crucial.
The SAAEE said that a clear strategy was needed, with targets and objectives.
Incentives would open up opportunities. Energy efficiency should be a catalyst
for economic growth, as it is seen overseas.
2.15. SA
Local Government Association (SALGA)
Ms Linda Manyuchi, Technical Specialist: Energy
Efficiency, SALGA, said that SALGA plays a coordinating role in energy
efficiency initiates at municipalities. Many metros, particularly the City of
Cape Town, had initiated energy efficiency programmes. Some of these programmes
had been incorporated into the Integrated Development Plans (IDPs).
Ms Manyuchi mentioned some of the interventions which were conducted by
municipalities. These included urban planning and building control, solar water
heating, street lighting and water services. In Johannesburg, sludge from the waste
water treatment process is used as fuel to power the plant. Transport is
another focus area, including the more efficient and popular public transport
and the encouragement of non-motorised transport.
SALGA said that some municipalities did budget funds towards energy efficiency.
There is an EEDSM grant from National Treasury. Some used the Eskom grant,
other made use of loan or donor funds, and there are some private-public
partnerships. SALGA listed the most prominent donors. SALGA is also part of the
former International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Urban
Low Emission Development Strategy.
SALGA said that some municipalities did not see energy efficiency as a core
service delivery area. There is uncertainty over the EEDSM grant. Another
challenge is the impact on municipal revenue, as electricity tariffs are used
to cross-subsidise other services.
SALGA recommended that long term programmes be developed to support
municipalities. Clarity was needed from national government. A benchmarking
programme should be put in place regarding energy efficiency. The Blue Drop
programme used for ensuring good water supplies could be used as a model.
2.16. Department
of Public Works (DPW)
Ms Sassa Subban, Deputy Director General,
Department of Public Works said that the Department (DPW) is incorporating
energy efficient techniques into all new and renovated buildings.
Mr Anselm Umoetok, Director, DPW, said that the mandate of the DPW is to
provide a service to all national departments. It is mandated to implement a
shared savings model, to conduct retrofitting projects and to influence
behavioural changes. Design considerations were introduced to keep buildings
cool during summer by construction techniques.
DPW listed progress made in terms of shared energy contracts. There had been
contracts in four regional offices. Between 2003 and 2010, savings due to
retrofits in Pretoria amounted to R36 million, Johannesburg R46 million,
Bloemfontein R26 million and Cape Town R7 million.
DPW then outlined the challenges. The first is the lack of technical capacity
within DPW, and the Department proposed the creation of a Chief Directorate to
provide this function. There is no National Treasury (NT) allowance for DPW's
Energy Efficiency Programme for the 2012/13 financial year (FY) and beyond.
Frequent staff changes impacted on the capacity of the Department. The programmes
only cover a small number of the properties in the charge of DPW.
DPW briefed Members on a number of projects undertaken by the Independent
Development Trust (IDT). Some 120 buildings had been targeted as pilot
projects, of which 60 are in the Eastern Cape and 30 each in Mpumalanga and the
Northern Cape. These happened during the 2010/11 and 2011/12 FYs. Of the 120
projects, 103 had been completed and the financial value was R127 million. The
total energy saving achieved was R43 million. Challenges included a lack of
professional services and monitoring and evaluation. More engagement was needed
with the Eskom Demand Side rebate programme. There had been remarkable commitment
from those involved. However, no funds were budgeted for by NT after the
2011/12 FY. Buildings targeted included military bases, South African Police
Service stations, correctional facilities, museums and office buildings.
2.17. Green
Building Council SA (GBCSA)
Mr Brian Wilkinson, CEO - Green Building Council of
South Africa noted that the Green Building Council (GBCSA) is part of the
international body. Its vision is to ensure that all buildings are constructed
in an environmentally-friendly way. The built environment generated a third of
green house gases and significant amounts of waste. This is an area that
afforded an excellent opportunity to do something significant regarding climate
change.
The GBCSA said that key focus areas are the creation of awareness, educating
members of the industry and recognising excellence. GBCSA introduced a star
rating system for both new and renovated buildings. A socio-economic category was
introduced to the evaluation criteria, a world first. There are ten environmental
categories. These covers management, indoor environmental quality, energy,
transport, innovation, water, materials, land use, emissions and the
socio-economic aspect.
The GBCSA said that lighting is a major concern, and the ratings focus on lighting
power density and zoning. A tool is available, freely; to building owners that
would allow owners to rate the performance of any building is against a
national benchmark.
The GBCSA listed some of the certified buildings. The NDPW Agrivaal Office in Pretoria
is using 35 percent less energy than the national standard. The Manenberg
Contact Centre in Cape Town had received a four star rating, and had achieved
an 80 percent energy saving. ABSA Towers West in Johannesburg had achieved a
five star rating. The Vodafone Site Solution Innovation Centre in Midrand had a
six star rating. The entire roof is a photovoltaic surface, and produces twice
the energy requirement. This is shared with an adjoining building. A project in
Cato Manor had resulted in the country's first “green street” and had attracted
international attention.
The GBCSA said that government is taking a lead. Certifications are required
for buildings at all levels of government as well as the parastatals. A four
star rating is set as the best practice for offices. He made a recommendation is
that all new government buildings should be “built green” by 2020. Half of
existing government buildings should have water, energy and waste measurement
and improvement systems by 2020.
2.18. National
Foundries Technology Network (NFTN)
Ms Adrie El Mohamadi, Programme Manager, National
Foundries Technology Network presented a background of the Network (NFTN).
Between 2007 and 2011, the number of foundries had decreased by 13 percent, as
a result of both mergers and closures. It is estimated that up to 20 000 people
are employed at foundries, but this number had been reduced by up to 15 percent
since 2008. The majority of customers are in the mining and automotive sectors.
Ms El Mohamadi presented some examples of the everyday products manufactured in
foundries. Foundries are crucial to the manufacturing industry. The NFTN
produced a handbook for foundries to gauge their situation. A competitive
improvement programme was launched. The baseline assessment compares the
foundry, using various factors, to the local and international market. A cost
analysis would be done to show companies where they could make savings.
Ms El Mohamadi said that the industry makes use of the incentives offered by
Eskom to control demand side management. There is not enough local expertise to
advice on issues regarding metal smelting techniques. There are no incentives
for switching to alternative energy sources. Many foundries applied for
incentives, but were unable to qualify.
Mr David Mertens, Representative, NFTN, noted that foundry operations are
energy intensive. Up to 18 percent of an average foundry's costs are for
energy. Two conditions are needed for growth. Foundries must have access to
competitive tariffs, but must also be energy efficient.
Mr Mertens said that almost all foundries bought their electricity from
municipalities, which charged up to 50 percent more than Eskom. This made
energy more expensive than in many countries. Tariff increases had come thick
and fast in recent years. Increases had also come in the midst of a recession.
The tariffs are not cost reflective. The foundry industry paid more for energy
than other users. There was a lot of uncertainty, and thus a need for a
national strategy around tariffs.
Mr Mertens quoted the example of an Eastern Cape cast iron foundry which had
reduced its energy consumption by 30 percent.
Mr Mertens identified a number of challenges. These included the cost of
electricity, which made investment unattractive, and the investment incentives
are also difficult to access, or unattractive. There are no specific credits
for switching to alternative sources.
Mr Mertens recommended again that a national strategy for energy tariffs for
the industry be implemented. IDM investment should be intensified.
2.19. Eskom
submission on 49M
Mr G Choeu, Divisional Executive, Eskom, briefed
Members on the background to the 49M campaign. He noted that even small changes
by individuals could lead to huge benefits. The first phase was to raise
awareness. The second phase, ending in March 2013, is to build momentum, and
the third phase would be to sustain that momentum.
Eskom said that the first phase of raising awareness was launched with a
powerful delegation from Cabinet, led by the Deputy President. There was free
media coverage to the extent of R1.6 million. Television, print, radio, cinema
and open air media was used.
Eskom said that the momentum would be built through various channels. The
pillars of the campaign are to try to reach all South Africans through the
media and by staying in the public eye in shopping malls. A number of articles were
broadcasted. Eskom worked through the Minister of Public Enterprises. All
Cabinet Ministers subscribed to the campaign, as had 74 partner companies. The
glass house models erected in a number of malls are a demonstration to the
public of how to embrace energy saving techniques.
Eskom said one of the challenges is a lack of public awareness. Partners had
been slow to take up the campaign. Research had been conducted on the public's
knowledge and understanding of the campaign. The research had been conducted in
October 2012. Key outcomes were that 73 percent of the respondents are aware of
the campaign. The majority of those aware learned of the campaign through
television.
Eskom said that that 68 percent thought that it is a good campaign. There is a
generally positive perception on the need to save electricity.
2.20. National
Business Initiative
Ms Valerie Geen, Director, National Business Initiative,
noted that the Initiative (NBI) has been in existence since 1995 and is a
non-profit, catalytic organisation to help drive change in the business
community on issues of sustainable development. Some of these issues are in
education, schooling support and skills development, EE, water and climate
change. NBI’s work in EE began in 2006 as a direct response to the promulgation
of the 2005 Energy Efficiency Strategy and government’s call for
business to support the drive for EE through the EE Accord, which had now been
reintroduced. It consisted presently of 58 member organisations, including some
government departments, although others should be on board.
Ms Geen said the Energy Efficiency Leadership
Network (EELN) is a leading network in driving continuous improvement in energy
efficiency, with members taking the lead by showing best practice. The energy
efficiency pledge of the members is to create a company plan for energy
efficiency improvement, supported by an energy management system, with company
level targets aligned to help deliver on agreed government strategy. They would
report on progress and skills development and capacity building would take
place through money and time invested by companies within their value-chain.
Implementation of the pledge would occur through integrated planning, metering
and monitoring of energy usage and the fact that energy is to be seen as a
value driver. She pointed out that in many companies, EE is imperative, as
electricity costs alone accounted for up to 40 percent of a company’s budget
and governance.
Ms Geen looked at capacity building, involving the development of proper
auditing and baseline setting, EE opportunity identification, to make business
cases to managers, monitoring reporting and verification of information and the
accessing of funding/financing.
Members of the EELN would be required, during their engagement, to nominate
energy champions and representatives to lead or co-ordinate energy management
in the company, and interface with the EELN. They would drive the key
commitments under the EELN Pledge, support performance reporting and knowledge
sharing, facilitated through quarterly EELN meetings, so that others could
learn from this, and exploit all opportunities for continuous improvement in
Energy Efficiency.
Ms Geen said stakeholders could expect facilitation from the NBI for good and
best practice sharing, which is of high value, as well as training and capacity
building, collaboration to alignment, and reporting on collective performance.
Some successes included the implementation of quick wins as seen in buildings –
including initiatives for lighting, air conditioning, off grid solutions such
as photo-voltaic, and target setting in relation to projects and facilities,
which is difficult especially in large, diverse companies. Other successes are
apparent in metering, monitoring, and improving fuel efficiency and these
issues needed to be addressed collectively. Examples could be found in the 2011
Energy Efficiency case studies, or the Carbon Disclosure Report.
Reducing carbon emissions through EE is contained in an international report of
the top 100 Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed companies, who disclosed
their carbon emissions, and showed progress in improvement. These companies
(together with Eskom) made up over 60 percent of SA carbon emitters. They are
changing mainly in their building usage, along with behavioural change for EE
solutions. This report ranked SA second in performance, globally, just behind
the UK 300, and showed SA’s willingness to disclose. However, work is still
needed in target setting.
Challenges are seen in the baseline setting, where companies struggled with
scope and with determining how many buildings to measure, whilst there are also
problems with data, capacity building and bankable projects. The
recommendations are the nomination of champions and the training of artisans.
Other challenges are seen with the investment of large scale projects or
operations (which, in some instances, are not viable) especially retro-fitting.
As a result, banks did not buy-in to provide funding. Behavioural change is
another challenge, but recommendations are now being made and campaigns run on
how to make the initiatives work, with attention to policies, how regulations are
policed, incentives, giving recognition to those doing well and municipal
billing to reward company savings.
2.21. Energy
Efficiency Forum (City of Cape Town - CoCT)
Ms Sarah Ward, Head: Energy and Climate Change,
City of Cape Town (CoCT), said the Energy Efficiency Forum (EEF) is run in Cape
Town as part of its EE programme, specifically for commercial buildings. It is
a Public Private Partnership (PPP) where the EEF is the lead partner and they worked
very closely with Eskom. There are a number of supporting partners to this PPP
who helped to make the EEF successful, such as the University of Cape Town.
Membership is based on a partnership network focused on Cape Town. Three
meetings are held per year, at Old Mutual (Pinelands) who is a great supporter
of the EEF. There are two information meetings for building owners and
managers, and one market place at which suppliers could showcase their wares
and market their goods. EE Forum Awards are held once per year and this had
been newly introduced as a system of reward, with strict criteria and
professional evaluation.
The CoCT presented an overview of previous events, noting that attendance was
between 160 and 220 participants at each event. Outreach is based on a networking
system through a partner’s database of 800 of all the partners and supporters,
who had provided their databases as contacts, and further sent out invitations.
Registration is automatic on the website, as well as notice of attendance, with
about 40 percent new attendees each time. A survey showed that 95 percent felt
that they were provided with valuable/useful information and 92 percent were
motivated to make improvements in their building/s or company through what they
had learned at the Forum.
The CoCT tabled a number of graphs, and noted the clear disengagement between
economic growth and energy consumption, which was a good indicator.
The CoCT then turned to themes and topics, and noted that the case studies
presented by companies always created a lot of interest and presented an
opportunity for them to showcase what they were doing. Useful information was
provided on tariffs, national building regulations, Green Building Council of
SA star tools and Eskom EE financial offerings. Awareness is raised through
green leasing, insurance in a changing climate, and benchmarking. Other themes
and topics were new technology inputs and the EE Forum Awards. Case study
examples of winners of the EE Forum Awards were the V&A Waterfront and
Vuyani Properties, 14 Loop Street, Cape Town.
The CoCT turned to the challenges and queries which included the implementation
of Part XA of National Building Regulations monitoring and assessing, the
linking of all resource efficiency together with energy, water and waste. There
is a need for clarity with regard to supply, and the low pressure solar water
heater programme, appliance labelling and net-metering. She said behaviour
change is critical but sometimes there is an overemphasis on technology
changes.
3.
Discussions
4.
Findings
·
A
formalised system for collecting, managing data and calculating indicators is
necessary for monitoring the
implementation and success of activities initiated as part of the strategies
for energy efficiency.
·
An effective
policy making, strategy formulation and planning cannot take place in the absence
of a sound knowledge base. A detailed understanding of the state of energy
efficiency in South Africa needs to be developed in relation to energy use,
technological developments and efficiency opportunities. This knowledge base
will facilitate the establishment of accurate baselines, provide for necessary
data collection.
·
Policy
integration and alignment is critical to any successful energy efficiency
programme.
·
Energy labeling
of appliances is an internationally tried and tested tool to build an awareness
of energy efficiency among consumers.
5.
Conclusion(s)
The elaborate
presentations and intensive debates by more than 20 insitutions is a reflection
of the vitality of and very keen interest on energy efficiency in SA. Such
displays the need for Parliament and government be seized with energy
efficiency especially during this period of energy crunch.
It is
imperative that all and sundry commit to ensure the revised Energy Efficiency
Programme be implemented with resolve it deserves.
6.
Recommendation(s)
The
Minister of Energy:
·
Ensures that Energy
Efficiency covers a far broader spectrum than simply electricity efficiency and
also include Liquid
Petroleum Gas (LPG) and other forms of energy that comprise the
energy mix.
·
Regular updates the PCE to
ensure that all public buildings become energy efficient within record time.
·
To develop a programme that
will increase the number of professionals in South Africa to cope with the
demand for EE measurement as well as increasing the number of universities that
are dealing with this area.
·
Ensure the monitoring and
verification function to ensure these targets does not reside with Eskom because
it is seen as a conflict of interest.
·
Reinforce awareness
campaigns on water conservation since
water is an expensive resource and that the water consumption cost increase as water consumption increases
·
Ensures penalties on any
non-compliant projects be levied so that national planning for energy
efficiency as a resource is not put at risk.
·
Introduce integrate
solutions that include the consolidation of the measurement and verification
function for all energy efficiency initiatives into one common portal with a
central repository of auditable and value adding data such as electrical energy
and demand savings, fuel switching impacts, economic sectoral impacts and jobs
created.
·
Ensures that SANEDI develops
a more detailed feasibility study and a transitional action plan be undertaken
towards future implementation of consolidation of the measurement and
verification function for all energy efficiency initiatives into one common
portal with a central repository of auditable and value adding data such as electrical
energy and demand savings, fuel switching impacts, economic sectoral impacts
and jobs created
·
Ensures that Comprehensive
subsidies on EE be emphasised just as they are still handed out for fossil
fuels, in South Africa and throughout the world.
·
Places Focus on awareness
drive for financiers to understand EE with the aim of enhancing investments
that are EE related.
·
Ensures that the momentum on
finalisation of the draft green IT strategy be intensified.
·
Ensures that Pursuit of the
Pumping Energy Efficiency Initiative in municipalities be strengthened
·
Facilitates Regular
updates for the PCE on the pilot project to demonstrate the improved effects
associated with cool roofing which will be introduced shortly in Gauteng be
conducted.
·
Through SANEDI engages all
stakeholders and work on avoidance and even reversal of a fragmented EE system
and to advance the need for a more-focused EE-delivery solution for the
country.
·
Provides regular updates on
Renewable Energy-Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) which brings
neighbouring countries into the EE space.
·
Explores how energy
efficiency can be integrated with embedded renewable energy generation.
·
Initiates a campaign, in
partnership with DCOGTA and SALGA, to mobilise every local municipality must
have at least 10MW of renewable energy generation through solar, wind, biomass
or hydrogen fuel.
·
In partnership with DCOGTA
mobilises for greater participation of
SALGA on EE programmes.
·
In conjunction with CSIR
works on a programme that will seek to transform the construction industry on
the use of energy efficient materials. Such will include addressing energy
requirements to convert base construction materials into a form suitable for
building.
·
Further promotes the
initiative that is will focus on design construction (of buildings) to
eliminate wastage. Such must also include enforcement of regulations to police
dumping.
·
Works with CSIR on how
residential and commercial properties can share energy sources.
·
Ensures regular update from
CSIR on the project that is redesigning (RDP) houses to be 50 percent more
energy efficient. NOTE: There is a test site at CSIR site in Pretoria.
·
Ensures that CSIR to
regularly brief and update on the project that seeks small-scale solutions for
small buildings to be become independent of water, electricity and sewerage
grids.
·
Ensures that Regular updates
from ESKOM and NERSA on EEDSM programmes.
·
Explores ways of improving
on energy efficiency including:
·
Policy
integration and alignment be addressed as it is critical to any successful
energy efficiency programme.
·
Clearer government policies
on energy efficiency including provision of municipalities with guidelines on
EE.
·
The role and obligations of
NERSA be clarified.
·
Co-ordination between
government departments, policies and institutional mechanisms be strengthened.
·
Incentives be diversified.
·
Institutional oversight be
strengthened.
·
Information mechanisms
should be developed to gather and disseminate information.
·
The measurement and
verification function should include small-scale broad based black economic
empowerment concerns, and should operate independently of the fund
administrator.
·
Training in energy
management.
·
At tertiary level, a new
career path should be created in energy engineering - the management and
accounting aspects of energy efficiency should also be boosted – in other words
energy programmes should carry a similar weight to safety programmes.
·
Ensure that civil society
involvement is improved on EE programmes.
·
Reviews the EEDSM grant
provided by the National Treasury.
·
In conjunction with National
Treasury review tax benefits for energy efficiency projects including a balance
between incentives such as tax breaks, and negative effects of the carbon tax.
·
Investigate whether the
Auditor-General should not comment on wasteful expenditure regarding energy
efficiency
·
Ensures that Awareness
programmes on energy efficiency be intensified in school programmes.
·
Assists SALGA in mobilising
municipalities to acknowledge and integrate energy efficiency as a core service
delivery area including incorporating energy efficiency into the normal
institutional arrangements
·
Ensures uncertainty over the
EEDSM grant be addressed and clarified – such be linked to seeking alternatives
on the negative impact of EE initiatives on municipal revenue, as electricity
tariffs are used to cross-subsidise other services
·
Ensures long term programmes
be developed to support municipalities including clarity from national government.
·
Ensure that a benchmarking
programme should be put in place regarding energy efficiency.
·
Ensure that The Blue Drop
programme used for ensuring good water supplies be used as a model for EE.
·
Works jointly with DPW on
the lack of technical capacity including proposed creation of a Chief
Directorate to handle EE.
·
Ensure that National
Treasury (NT) be requested for reinstatement of allowance for DPW's Energy
Efficiency Programme.
·
Works jointly with the GBCSA
to promote the star rating system for both new and renovated buildings.
·
Ensures that Certifications
are secured for buildings at all levels of government as well as the
parastatals.
·
Together with Minister of
Public Works to ensures that all new government buildings should be “built
green” by 2020.
·
Together with Minister of
Public Works to ensures that half of existing government buildings should have
water, energy and waste measurement and improvement systems by 2020.
·
In conjunction with the
Minister of Higher Education and Training addresses inadequate local expertise
to advice on issues regarding metal smelting techniques as well as incentives
for switching to alternative energy sources.
·
Investigates the claim that
many foundries are unable to qualify for EE incentives.
·
Investigates if foundries
are or explore if foundries can be in regarded as KSACS
·
Explores a national strategy
on rationalisation of electricity tariffs including ensuring tariffs are cost reflective
·
Works with SALGA to ensure
the involvement of municipalities in Eskom's Integrated Demand Management-IDM.
·
Ensures that investment on
Integrated Demand Management-IDM be intensified.
·
Promotes the EE Accord and
encourage those government departments who have not yet joined to join.
·
Creates a conducive
environment for investment on large scale projects or operations especially
retro-fitting.
·
Facilitates a buy-in from banks to provide funding on EE
programmes.
·
As part of inducing
behavioural change on EE, campaigns to be run on how to make the initiatives
work, with attention to policies, how regulations are policed, incentives,
giving recognition to those doing well and municipal billing to reward company
savings.
·
Ensures focus on the
implementation, monitoring and assessing of National Building Regulations as
well as linking of all resource efficiency together with energy, water and
waste.
·
Provides clarity with regard
to appliance labelling and net-metering.
·
Ensures an awareness
campaign to building contractors on energy efficiency building regulations, and
more advocacy campaigns in the marketplace focusing on the regulations.
·
Increases educational
programmes on smart meters for those consuming over 1000MW.
·
Attends to EE retrofitting
of homes for the poor since this process at present, is more appropriate for
middle income earners
·
Ensure that Regular updates
on public participation on EE.
·
Explores a long-term
strategy on reducing peak demand including time-of-use meters as an option.
·
Explores improvement of
thermal insulation especially in the Cape region in housing and property development.
·
Ensures that Eskom’s
allocations for EEDSM programmes are ring-fenced.
·
Ensure that Monitoring and
evaluating of progress with regard to energy efficiency programmes be firmly
addressed.
·
Updates on some of the
energy efficiency initiatives of the DPW that are undertaken by the Independent
Development Trust (IDT).
·
Ensure
that a sound knowledge base for an effective policy making, strategy
formulation and planning be intensified. A detailed understanding of the state
of energy efficiency in South Africa needs to be developed in relation to
energy use, technological developments and efficiency opportunities. This
knowledge base will facilitate the establishment of accurate baselines, provide
for necessary data collection.
·
Expedites
energy labeling of appliances as it is an internationally tried and tested tool
to build an awareness of energy efficiency among consumers.
·
In partnership with the Minister
of Science and Technology promote technology options that hold significant
potential for energy efficiency improvements since in most instances these are
well researched and developed.
·
In partnership with the Minister
of Trade and Industry promote the local manufacture of energy efficient
products although such represents a challenge for industry and government.
·
Involves business and civil
society in a concerted effort to improve energy efficiency due to the State
being constrained by budget limitations.
·
Ensure that Energy Usage
Rating systems and Performance Certificates be made mandatory, particularly for
public buildings.
·
Ensures that guidance to
establish the required changes in practice due to laws that have been
promulgated and regulations published in order to establish energy efficiency
is implemented.