Author Archive for: Engineering News

The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) has dismissed suggestions that renewable-energy projects developed within the designated Renewable Energy Development Zones (REDZs), including the three new zones being proposed, will be exempt from all environmental authorisation processes. In July, the department called for public comment on the creation of new REDZs in Emalahleni, Klerksdorp and Beaufort West, in addition to the eight existing REDZs in Overberg, Komsberg, Cookhouse, Stormberg, Kimberley, Vryburg, Upington and Springbok.

In this opinion piece, South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) Grid Access Working Group chairperson Daniel Goldstuck, writes about a possible solution to South Africa’s energy crisis. What if I told you that our energy crisis could be alleviated with one simple change?

A more affordable, effective cervical cancer screening device, a digital platform to help farmers plan and distribute crops, a new way to secure banking through facial recognition, and a tool that monitors the condition of solar photovoltaic (PV) installations are the four innovations selected as finalists for the Royal Academy of Engineering’s 2020 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. The finalists were selected from a shortlist of 15 African innovators, who have all received eight months of training and support through the Africa Prize.

South African asset manager Stanlib’s Infrastructure Investments unit has acquired a 10% equity stake in Mulilo Energy Holdings, which is a R1.8-billion privately-owned renewable energy developer. This transaction is strategic and complementary to both companies, Mulilo says.

An initiative is under way to accelerate the adoption by South African industrial firms of the international energy management standard ISO 50001, which is designed to help improve the performance of a company’s energy-intensive assets to support cost savings and emission reductions. Although ISO 50001 is the fastest-growing standard globally, it has not been widely embraced by South African firms, with domestic adoption rates lagging those being reported in Asia, Europe and North America, as well as those being achieved in African countries such as Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt.