A great opportunity lies ahead for individuals and businesses in the energy sector, thanks to new Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) regulations which were gazetted by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) in December 2020. Young professionals and graduates in the engineering disciplines with the mindset to be a part of the energy efficiency solution are sure to benefit here. This is the view of Ms Vash Singh, MD of Alliance Energy, who recently shared her journey of becoming the 2nd SANAS-accredited Inspection Body, and first black women-owned one, to issue Energy Performance Certificates in the country.
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29
SEP, 21
Many businesses and individuals are aware of the importance of reducing their energy consumption; doing so offers benefits for the environment and a decrease in one’s utility bill. However, one of the biggest barriers to wider adoption of energy efficient technology is the capital outlay required to purchase, install, and maintain these systems. This is according to Barry Bredenkamp, General Manager, Energy Efficiency & Corporate Communications at the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI). Bredenkamp reports that a possible solution lies in the procurement of energy efficiency as a service provider, rather than financing the procurement of state-of-the-art energy efficiency technologies on the company’s balance sheet, which are constantly evolving and improving.
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20
SEP, 21
The City of Cape Town is proud to announce that it has received Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for three of its municipal buildings. We can only manage what we measure, so EPCs are a critical first step to reducing our energy use. The City is the first in South Africa to achieve this feat. This is good news for customers as more resource efficient facilities make service delivery more cost effective. In addition, energy use in transport and the built environment are the main contributors to harmful emissions that are causing climate change. It is important that the City leads by example by taking climate action as it will take a team effort to successfully tackle climate change. We need to clean up the activities, fuels, materials and waste products that cause emissions, while making sure we meet our essential human needs and grow the green economy.
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16
SEP, 21
As governments around the world aim to drive renewable energy and energy efficient initiatives to curb climate change, the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), is excited to be receiving an international award for its efforts in this regard.
“We have been selected for the international Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) Sub-Saharan Africa Region Institutional Energy Management Award for 2021,” says SANEDI Interim CEO, Lethabo Manamela. “We are so honoured by this and are delighted that our hard work in the South African energy sector has been globally recognised, especially considering South Africa’s transition from a carbon-intensive energy sector towards a cleaner and energy efficient society.” The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) – presents annual awards to individuals and organisations around the world to recognise their dedication and performance in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industry.
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15
SEP, 21
Every company and building owner has a role to play in South Africa’s drive to curb carbon emissions. With climate change a looming threat, energy efficiency measures must be adopted across the board – especially considering South Africa’s coal-dominant energy sector.
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08
SEP, 21
As Women’s Month draws to a close, it is important to highlight how sector-specific initiatives can help make it easier for women to enter traditionally male-dominated environments. The “Women in Energy” initiative has been embraced by the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), as they incorporate gender mainstreaming into achieving their mandate of promoting energy efficiency and driving research and development in the sector.
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28
AUG, 21
The International Energy Agency (IEA) – of which South Africa is an association country – recently released a report detailing a way forward for countries looking to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and thus give the world an even chance of limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5°C. However, the recommended path to net-zero would be a tough one for South Africa to follow, considering our heavy reliance on coal. As the world prepares for the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) taking place in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2021, South Africa must focus its efforts on tangible solutions for emission reductions.
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05
AUG, 21
It is widely understood that the energy sector is the backbone of the South African economy. However, this sector faces various challenges which must be addressed for wider socio-economic advancement. In light of this, the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) has developed a new strategic plan which positions the institute to address key energy sector issues.
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29
JUL, 21
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), electric motors are responsible for 53% of the world’s total electricity consumption. In light of this, initiated by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy policy, the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) is expanding its Energy Efficiency Standards and Labelling (S&L) Programme to study the energy use of motors available in South Africa, and suggest new Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS).
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29
JUL, 21
Recognising the power sector as strategically vital to South Africa’s economic growth and environmental sustainability, the World Bank has partnered with the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) to drive opportunities in the large-scale demand-side energy efficiency market.
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14
JUL, 21
In a new milestone of government’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) regulations, the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit and International Convention Centre has received its EPC with a highly commendable rating of B, where A is the highest achievable rating and G the worst possible rating for buildings in South Africa. “The facility is comprehensive, with the main building in the region of 14,500 m2. The energy requirements must be vast, so their rating is to be applauded,” comments Barry Bredenkamp, General Manager Energy Efficiency & Corporate Communications at the South African National Energy Development Institute, (SANEDI).
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08
JUL, 21
As the country focuses on improved energy generation capacity, energy savings must not be forgotten! The South African energy industry – and indeed the wider business community – is celebrating the recent very positive announcement by President Ramaphosa on the increased threshold for embedded electricity generation for private companies, up from just 1 MW to 100 MW. However, while companies start investigating their self-generation options, it is vital that we do not forget our impact on ‘the other (demand) side of the meter’.
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01
JUL, 21
Monday 21 June marked the exact middle of winter in South Africa, being the longest night and the shortest day of the year. “While this means we are already halfway through winter, there are still many cold, dark nights ahead of us. Considering our country’s constrained energy supply, every individual must play their part in reducing their electricity use and help reduce the pressure on our national electricity grid,” explains Barry Bredenkamp, General Manager, Energy Efficiency & Corporate Communications at the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI).
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28
JUN, 21
Virtual Stakeholder Workshop
22 June 2021
2-4 PM
DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION HERE
23
JUN, 21
Amid ongoing electricity supply concerns in South Africa, results of a ground-breaking study on residential energy use have been released. The South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), together with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and the University of Cape Town (UCT), has completed a study to assess the impact of energy efficient appliances on electrical energy consumption in the residential sector in South Africa, while looking at possible future energy impacts for the sector.
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22
JUN, 21
A recent study by IRENA found that women make up just 22% of the global energy sector; a trend reflected in South Africa’s industry. In the just energy transition for South Africa, there needs to be a focus on changing this trend. This just transition is defined as a shift from our current energy system to one that is better in terms of sustainability, environmental impact, climate change, human health, economics, employment and social equity.
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09
JUN, 21
A recent study by IRENA found that women make up just 22% of the global energy sector; a trend reflected in South Africa’s industry. In the just energy transition for South Africa, there needs to be a focus on changing this trend. This just transition is defined as a shift from our current energy system to one that is better in terms of sustainability, environmental impact, climate change, human health, economics, employment and social equity.
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08
JUN, 21
Under the current legislation, section 12B of the Income Tax Act, businesses can depreciate investments in renewable energy and bio fuel production at a rate of 50:30:20. By allowing accelerated depreciation on these assets, SARS is giving businesses a cash flow advantage which should assist in the investment in renewable energy projects. The amendments to the Income Tax Act section 11 and 12B now propose that support structures related to the investments in renewable energy and bio fuel production should be depreciated at the same rate as the Plant and Machinery depreciation rate detailed above.
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04
JUN, 21
In an effort to mitigate climate change and help move South Africa towards being a more energy-efficient nation, the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) encourages every individual to consider their household energy use. South Africa is the highest greenhouse gas (GHG) contributor in Africa, and everyone has a role to play in changing this. “There are easy ways for consumers to get on board with this initiative, in some cases, it’s as simple as reading a label” explains SANEDI’s Ashanti Mogosetsi.
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24
MAY, 21
Since 1 April 2021, applications for Energy Efficiency LOAs are to be submitted on the new EE Database System. The NRCS is pleased to announce that since then, EE LOAs are successfully being issued via the new system.
The NRCS, together with its implementing partner SANEDI, invites all affected stakeholders to training sessions scheduled as set out in the table below. This follows previous training sessions, which were held in August 2020.
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11
MAY, 21
Building owners have two years to comply with new building energy performance regulations, which require a formal assessment of their building energy consumption. On 8 December 2020, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) gazetted ‘Regulations for the Mandatory Display and Submission of Energy Performance Certificates for Buildings’. As an agency of the Department, the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) has been tasked with developing, hosting and maintaining a national Building Energy Performance Certificate Register in terms of these regulations.
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10
MAY, 21
With South Africa facing continually constrained energy supply, load shedding has become a normal part of life for many people. Daily routines are reworked to cater for power cuts, and backup cooking and lighting solutions are becoming increasingly popular. However, the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) would like to remind South Africans that there are simple things we can do every day to reduce power consumption, take pressure off the grid, and ultimately help to mitigate the risk of load shedding.
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05
MAY, 21
The South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) has been rolling out “cool surfaces” across the country over recent years, aiming to provide a low-tech, but energy efficient cooling solution to communities. Many partnerships and collaborations have enabled the coverage of hundreds of thousands of square metres, coating roofs and walls with a heat-reflective substrate designed to lower indoor air temperatures without the use of air conditioning.
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22
APR, 21
South Africans have until 30 April 2021 to comment on the recently gazetted specifications for general service lamps. The specifications aim to improve the safety, performance and energy efficiency of lightbulbs approved for use in South Africa by phasing out inefficient and environmentally harmful lighting products. If passed, lighting products which do not meet the specifications would be removed from the market.
“For example, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) currently on the market would not meet the specifications; it is more likely that LEDs would become the preferred choice of lamp. Although CFLs are often known as ‘energy saving’ lamps, they contain mercury which can be harmful to humans and to the environment,” explains Ashanti Mogosetsi, Project Manager: Appliance Standards and Labelling Programme at the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI). “However, if CFLs make a technological advancement and meet these specifications in the future, then they could be legally sold. The purpose of the specifications is not to ban any particular lighting products, but to mandate their safety and performance standards.” SANEDI believes the gazetted regulations, if passed, would be a milestone in the journey towards a more environmentally sustainable country.
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14
APR, 21
As South Africa is preparing for a broad roll-out of the country's vaccine programme, energy efficiency is one of the factors to consider, according to the South African National Energy Development Institute, (SANEDI).
Energy is crucial to operate cold chains that store vaccines. The Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccination against Covid-19 has a shelf life of up to 2 years if it is stored at -20°C. The J&J vaccination can also be safely stored in a domestic fridge for up to 1 month. The effectiveness of this, depends entirely on an uninterrupted supply of energy to maintain its low storage temperature requirements.
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08
APR, 21
Through this project, the Energy Partnership aims to support its partner SANEDI in analysing and documenting the experiments on cool roofs and walls done in KwaZulu-Natal at Genkem’s Umhlanga premises and at the Saint Lucia Ecolodge along the St Lucia Estuary, so that the gained results can be used for further project development and roll-out of cool roof/cool surface technology in South Africa. The following sections illustrate LowExCo’s approach and methodology to achieve this objective.
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31
MAR, 21
Engineering is largely a male-dominated career. However, in recent years, more and more women have entered the engineering sector, and many more join them every year. Energy engineering is no exception. Studies have found that gender diversity often leads to better decisions being taken, and greater levels of innovation applied. At the same time, opening the field to women expands the number of potential new engineers entering the sector and often leads to an improved global image.
Simphiwe Mokonza
In many parts of the world, "Women in Energy" movements encourage young women to study engineering and work in the sector as engineers and technicians. These movements help to make it easier for women to enter the traditionally male dominated environment.
The South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) takes the Women in Energy initiative seriously. SANEDI’s multiparty International Energy Efficiency (IEE) project contributes to gender mainstreaming by encouraging female participation in the energy sector. Gender mainstreaming is seen as vital for the African continent where gender inequality is quite pervasive. Many organisations in the energy sector support and encourage gender equality as part of the energy transition.
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26
MAR, 21
With the growing emphasis on energy efficiency in South Africa, the South African German Energy Programme (SAGEN), implemented by the German Development Agency (GIZ) and the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) are excited to announce a new app set to improve investment decisions around energy use in lighting of buildings across the country. The first of its kind in SA, the app has been tailored especially for the local market and will be available for download in early 2021.
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08
FEB, 21
In the face of the worsening effects of climate change, increasing energy prices in South Africa, and a more challenging business environment, companies have been left with no choice but to improve their operations and strive to become more energy efficient. The South African National Energy Development Institute’s (SANEDI) Barry Bredenkamp explains that this trend is demonstrated by the increased number of Section 12L Energy Efficiency tax incentive applications the Institute has received since March 2020.
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25
JAN, 21
