Renewable energy choices and their water requirements in South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 80-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debbie Sparks ◽  
Amos Madhlopa ◽  
Samantha Keen ◽  
Mascha Moorlach ◽  
Anthony Dane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Sustainable Energy ◽  
Water Withdrawal ◽  
Water Requirements

South Africa is an arid country, where water supply is often obtained from a distant source. There is increasing pressure on the limited water resources due to economic and population growth, with a concomitant increase in the energy requirement for water production. This problem will be exacerbated by the onset of climate change. Recently, there have been concerns about negative impacts arising from the exploitation of energy resources. In particular, the burning of fossil fuels is significantly contributing to climate change through the emission of carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas. In addition, fossil fuels are being depleted, and contributing to decreased energy security. As a result of this, the international community has initiated various interventions, including the transformation of policy and regulatory instruments, to promote sustainable energy. With this in mind, South Africa is making policy and regulatory shifts in line with international developments. Renewable energy is being promoted as one way of achieving sustainable energy provision in the country. However, some issues require scrutiny in order to understand the water footprint of renewable energy production. Due to the large gap that exists between water supply and demand, trade-offs in water allocation amongst different users are critical. In this vein, the main objective of this study was to investigate and review renewable energy choices and water requirements in South Africa. Data were acquired through a combination of a desktop study and expert interviews. Water withdrawal and consumption levels at a given stage of energy production were investigated. Most of the data was collected from secondary sources. Results show that there is limited data on all aspects of water usage in the production chain of energy, accounting in part for the significant variations in the values of water intensity that are reported in the literature. It is vital to take into account all aspects of the energy life cycle to enable isolation of stages where significant amounts of water are used. It is found that conventional fuels (nuclear and fossil fuels) withdraw significant quantities of water over the life-cycle of energy production, especially for thermoelectric power plants operated with a wet-cooling system. The quality of water is also adversely affected in some stages of energy production from these fuels. On the other hand, solar photovoltaic and wind energy exhibit the lowest demand for water, and could perhaps be considered the most viable renewable options in terms of water withdrawal and consumption.

scholarly journals TENDENCY OF GLOBAL CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES IN THE WORLD IN THE LAST TEN YEARS

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isak Karabegović
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Small Hydropower ◽  
The World

It is well-known that, in the past decades, the burning of fossil fuels was identified as the major cause of climate change. Climate change mitigation is becoming a central concern of global society. Limiting global warming to below 2 °C above the temperature of the pre-industrial period is the key to preserving global ecosystems and providing a secure basis for human activities, as well as reducing excessive environmental change. The ambitions increased at an accelerated pace with a dramatic expansion of net zero-emission targets. Increasing pressure from citizens and society has forced countries to intensify their climate plans, while the private sector has bought a record amount of renewable energy. An energy system based on fossil fuels must be replaced by renewable energy with low carbon emissions with improved energy efficiency. That applies to all consumers of fossil energy: cities, villages, building sectors, industry, transport, agriculture, and forestry. The paper explores and presents the strategy of energy development of renewable energy sources in the world. The application of new technologies that have led to developing renewable energy sources is presented in detail: wind energy, solar energy, small hydropower plants, biomass, and their increase in the total share of energy production, i.e., reduced fossil fuel use in energy production. Investments in new technologies used in renewable energy sources have led to increases in employment worldwide. Analysis of the trend of increased energy production from RES (Renewable Energy Sources) with investment plans, the employment rate for each energy source, and the development of renewable energy sources in the coming period are provided.

scholarly journals Sustainable energy and fuels from biomass: a review focusing on hydrothermal biomass processing

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
pp. 4390-4414
Author(s):  
Koray Alper ◽  
Kubilay Tekin ◽  
Selhan Karagöz ◽  
Arthur J. Ragauskas
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Sustainable Energy ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Environmental Challenges ◽  
Biomass Processing

Fossil fuels must be replaced with renewable energy resources to ensure sustainable development, reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, address environmental challenges including climate change.

scholarly journals Regulatory Imperatives for Renewable Energy: South African Perspectives

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Tumai Murombo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
South African ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Sustainable Energy ◽  
Energy Regulation ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Renewable Electricity ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
Carbon Economy

Abstract Access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy is a pre-condition for sustainable economic development. This is the case in South Africa, where the workforce and entrenched fossil fuel industry remain sceptical about a transition to renewable energy. This article explores the complexity of energy regulation in countries with a deep-seated economic dependency on fossil fuels. South Africa presents a good case study of the challenge of balancing the environmental, social and economic imperatives of energy. It unpacks the drivers behind directed regulation towards renewable electricity. A painful, but necessary, “just transition” to a low-carbon economy requires laws to phase-out fossil fuels, without exposing public funds to private profit seekers. The South African experience of renewable electricity demonstrates the challenges of regulatory uncertainty. Careful legal reforms are necessary to rid existing electricity laws of their inertia and achieve a low-carbon economy while ensuring access to affordable, reliable and environmentally sustainable energy.

scholarly journals ECO-CONSUMERISM AS THE WORLDVIEW POSITION

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Sustainable Energy ◽  
Product Price ◽  
Sustainable Resources ◽  
Organic Products

Problems which humanity encountered with due to the unethical scientific and technological progress, irrational energy consumption, merciless resource pumping and inefficient management were at the level of passive debates for quite a long time. However, the destruction of the Earth’s ecosystem and noticeable modification of its climate background require radical changes in the political, economic and cultural courses, humanity transition to the usage of sustainable energy resources and environmentalisation of the individual consciousness. On April 22nd 2016 was signed the Paris Agreement within United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which deals with the decrease of level of greenhouse gases emissions into the atmosphere starting in 2020. The meeting was intended to demonstrate that although the amount of energy and financial expenditures of the states today is high, but it cannot be compared to those the governments will face in the case of irreversible climate change and necessity of adaptation. The imposition of these issues at the level of interstate discussions, global concerns about the planet ecology, individual initiative and voluntary steps in order to save life on the planet, without a doubt, deserve respect and must be supported. Nevertheless, at the present stage, for the effective implementation of announced decisions strict accountability and sanctions for evading the stated arrangement should be provided. In addition, actions of the states at the global level need to be supplemented by human individual contribution to the process of environment preservation. Among the effective methods for achieving environmentalisation of the mass consciousness there are social advertising, transformation of eco-consumerism in the fashion trend, and cinematography (an advantage of the one in comparison to the cumbrous scientific researches is that its products are understandable for the mass consumers). In terms of environmentalisation of human consciousness the encouraging of young people to create innovative projects in waste recycling sphere is quite promising. Actually, there are many examples that recycling can be not just useful but interesting as well: bins that “thanking” to the passersby for the rubbish (theUnited Arab Emirates) and broadcast the latest news and weather forecasts (theUK), containers in the form of bottles and newspapers (Singapore), machines that feed stray animals (Turkey) etc. Thus, installation of the smart garbage recycling systems in public places and educational institutions will help to form individual sense of responsibility for the environment and other living species on the planet, encourage thoughtful consumption and recycling, and eliminate the policy of mindless consumerism. Among the countries that have already achieved noticeable results in the economy transition to the sustainable energy consumption there are China, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, particularly, the Utrecht city, and the Canary island El Hierro. Even though these implementations of effective energy saving technologies in everyday life of ordinary people are local and territorially limited, it appears that with the increase in the number of citizens who are aware of the benefits of eco-friendly energy consumption, stronger will be their demands to rethink public policy in this area. Meanwhile, it is important to promote among masses the principles of green consumerism that base on the consumption of organic products, energy production from the renewable resources, environmentally friendly activities etc. This type of food and energy production also has potential to stabilize the world market: the price will not vary depending on the richness of fossil fuels deposits or their availability as such. Thus, if the consumers are supplied with energy from the sustainable resources, it will decrease the final product price and allow redirecting of saved funds to the other areas. Furthermore, expanding the boundaries of human knowledge, technological development, moral and physical perfection of the person, cleansing and supporting of ecosystems, production of high-quality organic products instead of distribution of cheap counterfeits, improving of the healthcare industry are able to ensure the formation of the modern ethics of responsibility and humanity transition to the next stage of its development. Finally, attention should be paid to the designing projects of future ecopolis – city, which produces and consumes energy in the most effective and harmless to humans and the environment ways.

Climate change impacts on water resources in a rural community in Limpopo province, South Africa: a community-based adaptation to water insecurity

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 587-598
Author(s):  
Sejabaledi Agnes Rankoana
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Adaptation Practices ◽  
Community Based Adaptation

Purpose The study explored the impacts of climate change on water resources, and the community-based adaptation practices adopted to ensure water security in a rural community in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The participatory approach was used to allow community members to share their challenges of water scarcity, and the measures they have developed to cope with inconsistent water supply. Findings The study results show that the community obtains water for household consumption from the reticulation system supplied by Mutale River and the community borehole. These resources are negatively impacted by drought, change in the frequency and distribution of rainfall, and increased temperature patterns. The water levels in the river and borehole have declined, resulting in unsustainable water supply. The community-based adaptation practices facilitated by the water committee include observance of restrictions and regulations on the water resources use. Others involve securing water from neighbouring resources. Originality/value This type of community-based action in response to climate change could be used as part of rural water management strategies under climate change.

scholarly journals Post COVID-19 Recovery and 2050 Climate Change Targets: Changing the Emphasis from Promotion of Renewables to Mandated Curtailment of Fossil Fuels in the EU Policies

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1347
Author(s):  
Kyriakos Maniatis ◽  
David Chiaramonti ◽  
Eric van den Heuvel
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Climate Change Policy ◽  
Climate Impacts ◽  
The European Union

The present work considers the dramatic changes the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the global economy, with particular emphasis on energy. Focusing on the European Union, the article discusses the opportunities policy makers can implement to reduce the climate impacts and achieve the Paris Agreement 2050 targets. The analysis specifically looks at the fossil fuels industry and the future of the fossil sector post COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis first revises the fossil fuel sector, and then considers the need for a shift of the global climate change policy from promoting the deployment of renewable energy sources to curtailing the use of fossil fuels. This will be a change to the current global approach, from a relative passive one to a strategically dynamic and proactive one. Such a curtailment should be based on actual volumes of fossil fuels used and not on percentages. Finally, conclusions are preliminary applied to the European Union policies for net zero by 2050 based on a two-fold strategy: continuing and reinforcing the implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive to 2035, while adopting a new directive for fixed and over time increasing curtailment of fossils as of 2025 until 2050.

scholarly journals A SWOT Analysis Approach for a Sustainable Transition to Renewable Energy in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3933
Author(s):  
Solomon E. Uhunamure ◽  
Karabo Shale
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Regional Integration ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Analysis Approach ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources

South Africa is been faced with erratic power supply, resulting in persistent load shedding due to ageing in most of its coal-fired power plants. Associated with generating electricity from fossil fuel are environmental consequences such as greenhouse emissions and climate change. On the other hand, the country is endowed with abundant renewable energy resources that can potentially ameliorate its energy needs. This article explores the viability of renewable energy using the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis approach on the key renewable potential in the country. The result indicates that geographic position, political and economic stability and policy implementation are some of the strengths. However, Government bureaucratic processes, level of awareness and high investment cost are some of the weaknesses. Several opportunities favour switching to renewable energy, and these include regional integration, global awareness on climate change and the continuous electricity demand. Some threats hindering the renewable energy sector in the country include land ownership, corruption and erratic climatic conditions. Some policy implications are suggested based on the findings of the study.

scholarly journals The use of renewable resources is an opportunity and an obligation

2014 ◽  
pp. 13-17
Author(s):  
Zoltán Balla
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Renewable Resources ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Rational Utilization ◽  
Security Of Supply ◽  
Harmful Substances

The renewable energy sources could be used in energy production, while no or only very slightly emit harmful substances to the environment. The solar, wind, hydropower, biomass and heat rational utilization of land contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.Renewable energy sources also reduces the dependence on fossil fuels, thus contributing to increase security of supply. The creation of local jobs to strengthen the area's population retaining ability.

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