scholarly journals Measuring energy poverty in South Africa based on household required energy consumption

2021 ◽  
Vol 103 ◽  
pp. 105553
Author(s):  
Yuxiang Ye ◽  
Steven F. Koch
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Poverty

scholarly journals Behavior Patterns, Energy Consumption and Comfort during COVID-19 Lockdown Related to Home Features, Socioeconomic Factors and Energy Poverty in Madrid

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 5949
Author(s):  
Teresa Cuerdo-Vilches ◽  
Miguel Ángel Navas-Martín ◽  
Ignacio Oteiza
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Thermal Adaptation ◽  
Vulnerability Index ◽  
General Increase ◽  
Energy Poverty ◽  
Poor Households ◽  
Global Spread ◽  
Containment Measures ◽  
The Face ◽  
Future Harm

During spring 2020, the world was shocked at the imminent global spread of SARS-CoV-2, resorting to measures such as domestic confinement. This meant the reconfiguration of life in an unusual space; the home. However, not all households experienced it in the same way; many of them were vulnerable. A general increase in energy consumption and discomfort in many cases, led these families to suffer the ravages of confinement. This study analyzes the energy and comfort situation for the Madrid (Spain) population, according to the configuration of the homes, the characteristics of the dwellings, the vulnerability index by district, and energy poverty (measured with the 10% threshold of energy expenditure of home incomes). The results show a greater exposure, in confinement, of vulnerable and energy-poor households to scenarios of discomfort in the home, to which they could not respond, while energy consumption inevitably increased. Driven by need, energy-poor homes applied certain saving strategies, mainly resorting to thermal adaptation with clothing. This study shows the risk these households experienced in the face of an extreme situation, and invites reflection on preventive and containment measures that aim to avoid harming the disadvantaged in the future; harm that would also entail serious consequences on the health of their cohabitants.

WHAT DRIVES ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN BRICS COUNTRIES? EVIDENCE FROM ARDL BOUNDS TESTING APPROACH

2021 ◽  
pp. 2150053
Author(s):  
SMRUTI RANJAN BEHERA ◽  
TAPAS MISHRA ◽  
DEVI PRASAD DASH ◽  
LINGARAJ MALLICK
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Human Development ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Bounds Testing ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Brics Countries ◽  
Bounds Testing Approach ◽  
Testing Approach ◽  
Developed Nations

Rapid urbanization, openness and growth in human development index are some of the leading determinants of energy consumption in developing countries, particularly in BRICS economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). Thanks to their innate tendency to converge to the growth path of developed nations, BRICS countries are under increasing pressure to limit high energy consumption — triggered by outsourcing from developed nations. This paper attempts to weigh the relative importance of various determinants of energy consumption in BRICS countries between 1980 and 2016, studying in-depth the long-run co-movement pattern of energy consumption with demographic characteristics (depicting demand pressure) and macroeconomic aggregates (depicting cheap production cost). By leveraging on the trade-off between domestic and foreign demand and by employing the autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing approach, we establish differential effects of various predictors: whilst an increase in population growth rate, gross domestic product and capital account openness exert a positive and significant impact on energy consumption in Brazil, China and South Africa, foreign direct investment (FDI) and human development appear to enhance energy consumption in India, China and South Africa. The growth in external demand and the FDI inflows appear to have pushed urbanization, leading to greater energy consumption during the study period. Keeping in mind the sustainability goal, stronger green energy practices and sustainable urbanization patterns are needed to curb excessive energy sources.

Addressing Energy Poverty Through Ecological Governance of Solar Home Systems in South Africa

2022 ◽  
pp. 253-276
Author(s):  
Edzisani Ellen Netshiozwi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Poverty Eradication ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Energy Poverty ◽  
Environmental Preservation ◽  
Governance Systems ◽  
The Future ◽  
Ecological Governance ◽  
Home Systems

South Africa has long recognised the need to eliminate energy poverty, and significant progress has been made since 1996. With the recent global outcry about the use of sustainable and clean energy sources for human and ecological development, it has become essential for countries to upscale the use of non-grid electrification in order to effectively and sustainably eradicate energy poverty. South Africa implements different non-grid electrification programmes which focuses on ensuring universal access to clean energy by all, with one of these initiatives being the Solar Home Systems Programme. This study aims to contribute to academic discussion and knowledge about the role that solar home systems can play in bringing change on the current status of the energy poverty eradication initiatives which negatively affect the environment and the people. The study used a qualitative approach in assessing how the Solar Home Systems Programme contributes to energy poverty eradication and environmental preservation if managed in line with ecological governance principles. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a total of 40 households in Limpopo and officials from government departments in the province as well as a service provider responsible for the roll-out and maintenance of solar home systems in Limpopo. Framed within the ecological economics theory which advocates for ecological and environmental solutions that take into consideration the future generation, the study established that the solar home systems can eradicate energy poverty and contribute to the protection of the environment if managed in line with ecological governance principles. The study further revealed that the Solar Home Systems Programme in South Africa failed due to lack of proper governance systems that provide solutions for the future as the programme was short-term focused and lacked proper ecological governance systems. In order for the solar home systems to contribute to energy poverty eradication and environmental protection, the study recommends a total overhaul of the programme which includes ensuring that the provision of SHSs is not viewed as a temporary measure that is only meant for poor rural households but a long-term and sustainable initiative.

Action for increasing energy-saving behaviour in student residences at Rhodes University, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 773-789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angel Ancha Lindelwa Bulunga ◽  
Gladman Thondhlana
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Environmental Behaviour ◽  
Content Type

Purpose In response to increasing energy demand and financial constraints to invest in green infrastructure, behaviour change energy-saving interventions are increasingly being considered as a tool for encouraging pro-environmental behaviour in campus residences. This paper aims to report on a pilot programme aimed at reducing energy consumption via behaviour change interventions, variably applied in residences at Rhodes University, South Africa. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected via structured questionnaires, energy consumption records and post-intervention programme focus group discussions. Findings Participant residences that received a mix of different interventions in the forms of pamphlets, face-to-face discussions, incentives and feedback recorded more energy reductions of up to 9 per cent than residences that received a single or no intervention. In post-experiment discussions, students cited personal, institutional and structural barriers to pro-environmental energy-use behaviour. Practical implications Overall, the results of this study suggest that information provision of energy-saving tips combined with regular feedback and incentives can result in energy-use reductions in university residences, which may yield environmental and economic benefits for universities, but addressing barriers to pro-environmental behaviour might maximise the results. Originality/value Given the lack of literature on energy conservation in the global South universities, this study provides the basis for discussing the potential for using behavioural interventions in universities for stirring pathways towards sustainability.

Assessment of household energy poverty levels in Louiville, Mpumalanga, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalala L. Mgwambani ◽  
Kevin K. Kasangana ◽  
Tafadzwa Makonese ◽  
Daniel Masekameni ◽  
Mary Gulumian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Energy Poverty ◽  
Household Energy ◽  
Poverty Levels

Influence of building and indoor environmental parameters on designing energy-efficient buildings

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen O. Eromobor ◽  
Dillip Kumar Das ◽  
Fidelis Emuze
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Width Ratio ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Window Width ◽  
University Buildings ◽  
Building Parameters

PurposeArguments for the design of sustainable university buildings have emerged in South Africa. Energy being a major determinant of the sustainability of buildings, the purpose of this study was to examine the influence of various building and indoor environmental parameters on the energy performance of university buildings in South Africa.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative survey research method, administered within the context of university buildings in South Africa, was used. Data about 16 buildings from three universities were collected. Relevant, inferential statistical analyses were conducted to examine the relative influence of the building parameters on the energy consumed in the buildings. Also, regression models within building parameters were developed independently and in a combination that could be used to estimate energy consumption in the university buildings.FindingsFindings suggested that building and indoor environmental parameters of humidity, indoor temperature, volume, illumination, and window width ratio (WWR), in that order, influenced energy consumption significantly, and also, had direct empirical relationships.Practical implicationsOptimising the building and indoor environmental parameters in design will enhance energy-efficiency in university buildings in South Africa.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature in terms of understanding the order of influence of building parameters on energy consumption in university buildings in the temperate climatic zone of South Africa. It also established empirical models between building and indoor environmental parameters and energy consumption, both independently and in combination, that could assist in designing energy-efficient and sustainable university buildings.

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