Posts

Researchers using Joburg as live lightning research laboratory

The University of the Witwatersrand’ (Wits’) Johannesburg Lightning Research Laboratory (JLRL) is turning Johannesburg into a laboratory where live lightning events are measured and characterised through the use of high-speed cameras, direct current measurements, fast electric field measurements, field measurements and comparison with lightning location systems. To build on Wits’ pioneering research into lightning, and as part of the Wits Centenary programme that seeks to advance society for good, the JLRL has partnered with lightning protection company Dehn Africa and State-owned telecommunications company Sentech to support research into the protection of renewable energy systems from lightning.
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Eskom debt remains a challenge as utility posts nearly R19bn loss

Creamer Media’s Chanel de Bruyn speaks to Engineering News Editor Terence Creamer about the nearly R19-billion loss posted by power utility Eskom for the 2021 financial year, as well as about Eskom’s still-high debt levels and what impact this could have on the utility’s just energy transition transaction.  
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Eskom ponders options for debt recovery from Emfuleni municipality

Power utility Eskom has won a summary judgment against the Emfuleni local municipality for R1.3-billion, which the municipality owes the State-owned entity for unpaid bulk electricity services in 2019.

The R1.3-billion was part of a total debt of R1.9-billion, which the local government had accumulated in 2019.

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Western Cape launches renewable energy planning fund

The Western Cape provincial government has launched its Municipal Energy Resilience Fund (MERF), which will make nearly R13-million available to qualifying municipalities for research and planning for renewable energy projects.

This should help mitigate load-shedding in the province, the provincial government states.

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Organisations raise concern over lack of public participation in nuclear energy talks

Societal wellbeing organisations the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (Safcei) and Earthlife Africa Johannesburg have expressed their concern about the South African government pushing for more nuclear energy, while renewables wait in the wings.

The two organisations took the government to court in 2017 over what it deemed an unconstitutional R1-trillion nuclear deal with Russia.

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RMB launches ESG-risk-measuring platforms to support sustainable investing

Financial services provider Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), a division of FirstRand Bank, has launched environmental, social and governance- (ESG-) measuring platforms – ESGo! and ESGNow.

The platforms are envisaged to drive sustainable finance by offering client interfaces that enable more informed investment decisions when it comes to ESG considerations.

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DNG Energy seeks to postpone South Africa emergency power case

A losing bidder in a South African tender for the provision of 2 000 MW of power is asking for the postponement of a court case where it’s seeking for the award of the bulk of that contract to Turkey’s Karpowership to be halted. In the case, due to be heard from Sept. 9, DNG Energy has alleged corruption on behalf of government officials in favoring Karpowership for the provision of gas-fired power plants. DNG maintains it should have been awarded the rights to build three power plants.
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Public Works to release RFI in development of green energy, resource efficiency drive

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) plans to release a request for information (RFI) for the Integrated Renewable Energy and Resource Efficiency Programme (iREREP) on September 20, to garner ideas and information into ways to deliver mutual value through strong partnerships across government and the private sector.

The department, as the largest landlord and facilities manager in the country, says it has a responsibility to not only deliver and manage quality infrastructure, but to combat climate change and sustainable development through its mandate, such as providing buildings for government service delivery.

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Koeberg Unit 1 to be returned to service at the weekend following reactor trip

Power utility Eskom says the Koeberg Unit 1 reactor tripped at 16:30 on August 30, as a result of a fault on the electrical breaker to one of the primary coolant pumps. “Eskom can confirm that the reactor was then safely shut down by the operators, in compliance with the operating procedure.
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Eskom offers business customers a trial Renewable Energy Tariff

State-owned power utility Eskom has launched the Renewable Energy Tariff pilot programme to assist businesses who have corporate renewable energy commitments. This, the entity said on September 1, enables customers to source a blended electricity supply with up to 100% of their electricity from one of the utility’s renewable sources.
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