SANEA Talking Energy - June 2008

Eskom on a recruitment drive — by VDW — last modified 2008-06-26 11:12 AM

Power supplier Eskom says it wants to employ 4800 staff in the next 12 months as the utility gets ready for its capacity expansion programme. Parties, most recently labour union Solidarity, have questioned Eskom's ability to carry out the multibillion-rand programme, citing a skills shortage. In its submission to the National Energy Regulator of SA hearings on Eskom's electricity tariff application, Solidarity said the power utility needed 13000 artisans over the next 15 years.

Are Microbes The Answer To The Energy Crisis? — by VDW — last modified 2008-06-26 11:16 AM

The answer to the looming fuel crisis in the 21st century may be found by thinking small, microscopic in fact. Microscopic organisms from bacteria and cyanobacteria, to fungi to microalgae, are biological factories that are proving to be efficient sources of inexpensive, environmentally friendly biofuels that can serve as alternatives to oil, according to research presented at the 108th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in Boston.

Eskom environmental project wins global recognition — by VDW — last modified 2008-06-26 11:19 AM

Embattled State power-utility Eskom received some positive recognition recently when its Energy and Sustainability Programme received the World Energy Globe Award for 2007 in the youth category, for its entry ‘Young people against climate change'. The utility planned to use the €10 000 prize money to further develop the programme.

Electricity From The Exhaust Pipe — by VDW — last modified 2008-06-26 11:21 AM

Researchers are working on a thermoelectric generator that converts the heat from car exhaust fumes into electricity. The module feeds the energy into the car’s electronic systems. This cuts fuel consumption and helps reduce the CO2 emissions from motor vehicles.

PetroSA to play leading role in SA's energy security plan — by VDW — last modified 2008-06-26 11:23 AM

South Africa’s national oil company, PetroSA, was well placed to provide a sustainable solution to the country’s supply fuel challenges, and the government has fully endorsed its plans to fast-track and build a $11-billion crude refinery. Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica said that the 400 000 barrel a day (bbl/d) refinery, to be built at Coega in the Eastern Cape, would alleviate South Africa’s strategic reliance on Durban, which handled 75% of the country’s crude imports.

Rotting Power Grid 'Will Take R26bn to Fix' — by VDW — last modified 2008-06-26 11:25 AM

Backlogs in the maintenance of SA's electricity grid would cost about R26bn to fix, and had left crucial equipment rotting, threatening a further power crisis even if Eskom can generate enough power. Speakers at an electricity distribution conference warned that underinvestment in ageing infrastructure could plunge the country into another electricity crisis and threatened economic growth.

Private sector wants to invest in electricity - Busa — by VDW — last modified 2008-06-26 11:27 AM

Business leaders called on the government to create opportunities for the private sector to invest in electricity services and prevent future problems. "We run the risk of another crisis in the future," said Business Unity SA (Busa) chief executive Jerry Vilakazi, calling for a favourable regulatory environment for the private sector to invest.

Energy efficiency hub to be established at University of Pretoria — by VDW — last modified 2008-06-26 11:30 AM

A South African national energy efficiency and demand-side management (DSM) hub would be established at the University of Pretoria, where a postgraduate programme in energy efficiency and DSM would be offered.

Biofuel: the petrol pump versus the dinner plate — by VDW — last modified 2008-06-26 11:32 AM

Sandwiches, chocolate bars or potato chips from the gas station may be the only food-related thoughts most people have on the forecourt at the moment, but very soon there could be some far more serious grub-related issues to contend with when filling up. With declining oil supplies and record oil prices threatening to radically change the industrialized world's way of life, the option of increasing biofuel use arises. Although many contend the fuel is more eco-friendly, added to the fact it is renewable, the immediate impact is that its development will mean some tough decisions will likely have to be made.

National standard for energy efficiency in buildings to be released for public comment — by VDW — last modified 2008-06-26 11:34 AM

The long-awaited South African National Standard (Sans) 204, for energy efficiency in buildings, would be released for comment in July, an official from the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) told delegates at a green building conference in Johannesburg. SABS senior manager for strategic support services Bongani Khanyile urged interested parties to participate in the comment process, so that amendments to the standard could be made if need be, and implementation of Sans 204 would not be further delayed.

Cabinet approves South Africa's nuclear policy — by VDW — last modified 2008-06-26 11:36 AM

Cabinet has approved South Africa's nuclear energy policy, clearing the way for the country's planned big nuclear drive. The policy would allow South Africa to diversify its primary energy sources, and move away from an over-reliance on coal for electricity generation, which accounts for over 90% of the country's power generation. This contributed to South Africa being among the highest emitters of greenhouse gases, government said in a statement.

Global oil frenzy pumps up Sasol techs — by VDW — last modified 2008-06-26 11:38 AM

Petrochemical specialists with coal-to-liquid knowledge become hot property as fuel prices soar. As the price of oil soars to dizzying heights, Sasol faces an increasingly tough fight to hold onto its experts in coal-to-fuel technology. Petrochemical specialists are becoming worth their weight in Brent crude amid a global scramble for scarce engineering skills, Sasol executive director Nolitha Fakude said.

2010 World Cup faces fuel shortages — by VDW — last modified 2008-06-26 11:40 AM

South Africa faces the possibility of fuel shortages when it hosts the 2010 soccer World Cup. "In the third quarter of 2009 we are expecting that South Africa won't be able to supply our inland (fuel) needs unless something drastic is done," Nhlanhla Gumede, deputy director-general of hydrocarbons and energy planning, told legislators. "If we don't do anything we are likely to have a problem in 2010," Gumede said.

Govt rules out maize as a source for biofuels — by VDW — last modified 2008-06-26 11:42 AM

With food prices having risen dramatically in recent months, Minister of Trade and Industry Mandisi Mpahlwa emphatically ruled out the use of maize as a crop source for biofuels. While government will continue to proceed with its biofuels programme, other crops would be sourced to provide for biofuels, said the minister.

R82m for E Cape power restructuring — by VDW — last modified 2008-06-26 11:45 AM

A total of R82-million has been allocated to municipalities and Eskom in the Eastern Cape and parts of the Western Cape to restructure the power supply network, said government agency EDI Holdings. The R82-million was part of the R1,2-billion given by the government to EDI over three years to establish six regional electricity distributors (Reds) countrywide, said spokesperson Mbulelo Musi in a statement.

SANEA (MEETI Courses) — by VDW — last modified 2008-07-07 03:41 PM

Courses for August

SANEA (EnergyCert) — by VDW — last modified 2008-07-07 03:43 PM

part of MEETI course