Tag: SANEDI
SANEDI welcomes the appointment of Dr Zwanani Titus Mathe a seasoned energy leader
The Board of Directors at the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Zwanani Titus Mathe as the new Chief Executive Officer. Dr Mathe’s appointment will take effect on 1 October 2022.
Continue reading View moreSANEDI’s Mandela Day brings the cool back to school
Heat stress affects millions of children at schools, impacts their health and learning development. The reality of climate change is that children will become increasingly vulnerable and at risk to anthropogenic heating. This can result in severe dehydration, heat exhaustion, cramps and heat stroke. As a result, the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) is taking the cool back to the school.
Continue reading View moreUK PACT-funded project to support 250 buildings and five SMMEs in the race to meet EPC deadline
In an effort to accelerate the uptake of energy performance certificates (EPCs) in South Africa, the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) and the Carbon Trust are calling for 250 building owners and five SMMEs to participate in an EPC project funded by UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions).
Since inception of the UK PACT-funded project in March 2021, GBCSA and Carbon Trust have supported the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), and the National Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) with implementation of a mechanism to support South Africa’s new EPC regulation that aims to drive energy disclosure within South Africa’s existing building stock.
“Climate change and sustainability continues to move up the corporate agenda with global stock exchanges (including the JSE) and investors placing ever increasing emphasis on ESG management and reporting, EPCs could become an important part of South Africa’s national decarbonisation strategy, driving energy efficiency in buildings and ultimately aiding the just transition to a low-carbon economy,” says Jonathan Booth of the Carbon Trust.
South Africa’s EPC regulation was made effective in December 2020 with the requirement for certain types of public sector buildings greater than 1000m² and of private sector buildings greater than 2000m² to obtain an EPC within a two-year period.
As the December 2022 deadline for obtaining an EPC looms for affected building owners, the project is shifting focus from helping to lay the EPC groundwork (read about the project’s first year here) to supporting the implementation of the mechanism. This is anticipated to accelerate the uptake of EPCs in South Africa.
The project team is now actively seeking to support building owners with EPC groundwork and SMMEs who would like to become SANAS accredited inspection bodies.
Call to support 250 building owners in obtaining EPCs
Support will be offered to 250 building owners/managers in obtaining EPCs, whose building fits the following criteria:
- The building is older than two years with no recent major refurbishments
- The buildings are of one of these Occupancy Classes
- Entertainment & Public Assembly
- Theatrical & Indoor Sport
- Places of Instruction
- Offices
- A minimum of 12 months of energy data is available for the building
- Public sector buildings greater than 1 000m2, private sector buildings greater than 2 000m2
Owners (or building/facilities managers) of the selected buildings will be provided with:
- Introductory EPC training
- An EPC tool to facilitate data gathering and to assist with the necessary calculations
- Availability of an email based ‘help desk’ to provide ongoing support
If you are a building owner or manager responsible for obtaining your building’s EPC and would like to benefit from this support, sign up online here.
Call to support five SMMEs to become SANAS accredited inspection bodies
The just transition to a low-carbon future and job creation within the green economy are major imperatives both internationally and in South Africa. The EPC legislation plays its part in addressing this by supporting SMMEs involved in the fields of energy efficiency, energy management or energy auditing within the built environment to potentially attain SANAS accreditation as Inspection Bodies. The role of these Inspection Bodies is to verify the data for EPCs and to issue the EPCs.
“EPCs are a good first step for building owners to understand their impact, improve energy efficiency and eventually target net zero. While the industry is faced with several challenges, I personally am very excited about the positive job opportunities and skills in understanding a buildings energy use this regulation will create” says Lisa Reynolds, CEO of GBCSA.
Five SMMEs will be offered financial and technical support to help them obtain accreditation from SANAS as an Inspection Body able to issue EPCs.
If you are an SMME and interested in becoming a SANAS-accredited Inspection Body, apply online here.
For information around upcoming EPC training and awareness, workshops please contact info@gbcsa.org.za.
SANEDI joins SAWEA on its journey across SA’s EnergyDRIVE #WINDROUTE
The South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), has announced that it will board the much loved renewable energy educational road trip, the EnergyDRIVE, as a partner in this year’s campaign, next month.
Continue reading View moreIssuing of SA’s first Energy Performance Certificate – an energy efficiency milestone achievement
SANEDI believes that the issuing of the first-ever EPC for a building in South Africa recently is a landmark achievement that will encourage energy efficiency across the board. According to the International Energy Agency buildings account for approximately 30% of global energy consumption and 40% of total direct and indirect CO2 emissions. These figures could easily grow in Africa – and particularly in South Africa – due to increasing urbanisation.
On 18 February 2021, the Admin B building at Stellenbosch University, which houses the vice chancellor and executive team, received the first-ever EPC for a building in South Africa, in recognition of its commitment to energy efficiency. Bluedust Engineering Solutions, Stellenbosch University’s energy management consultants, were instrumental in achieving their EPC. The EPC was issued by Energy Management and Verification Services (EMVS) who is the first inspection body accredited by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS), to assess and issue an EPC rating for eligible South African buildings.
Background to EPCs
In December last year, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) passed into law a set of “Regulations for the Mandatory Display and Submission of Energy Performance Certificates for Buildings”.
EPCs are recorded by the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) which is an agency of the DMRE. SANEDI is specifically tasked with hosting and maintaining a national Building Energy Performance Register, to keep track of progress towards the achievement of the goals and targets set out in the EPC Regulations.
EPCs rate buildings’ energy performance from A to G, with A being the most energy efficient and G the worst, with D being the mid-point, when benchmarking against the average figures quoted in the national South African Building Standard SANS 10400-XA.
For the purposes of the EPC, a building’s energy performance is measured in terms of kilowatt hours per square metre per annum (kWh/m2/pa) of net floor area in accordance with the National EPC Standard, (SANS 1544).
Barry Bredenkamp, SANEDI’s General Manager for Energy Efficiency & Corporate Communications, explains, “Buildings must try and achieve at least a D-rating which is on par with the national benchmark. Their EPC must be displayed at the building entrance, no matter what their rating, in order to be compliant with the regulations.”
Bredenkamp continues, “The regulations apply to non-residential buildings (specific occupancy classes) with a net floor area of at least 2,000m2 in the private sector, and 1,000m2 for buildings owned, operated or occupied by an organ of state.”
Property owners and government entities have until 7 December 2022 to ensure that their buildings adhere to the regulations. Penalties for non-compliance have not yet been stipulated, and currently stand at the discretion of the Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Mr Gwede Mantashe. JP Spangenberg from EMVS says, “South Africans should not see this as a punitive expense, but as the responsible thing to do in our commitment to address climate change and sustainability matters. EPCs are, in essence, a tool that gives clients a snapshot view of their building energy performance, empowering them to make informed decisions relating to energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy integration.”
Bredenkamp says, “Stellenbosch University’s being awarded an A-rated EPC so soon after the regulations were gazetted, really is a phenomenal achievement and they should be applauded for this major step forward.” Nadeem Gafieldien, Stellenbosch University’s Director of Property Services, passionately supports all efforts towards sustainability, “Stellenbosch University is committed to the UN SDG’s and a sustainable future. While this EPC demonstrates this commitment, we are also in the process of certifying many of our buildings, using the Green Building Council’s neighbourhood tool in our efforts towards a Net Zero Carbon future.”
Bluedust Engineering Solutions’ Dr Frank Duvenhage, says, “This highlights Stellenbosch University’s continued efforts over the past few years to be more energy efficient and to respond with earnest to the repeated calls by government to use energy sparingly and to reach their goal of a net-zero carbon future. Hopefully, this achievement will encourage other building owners to follow suit!”
Bredenkamp concludes, “The national drive towards energy efficiency will unlock the wider value chain, as building owners look to implement more efficient systems. Economic activity will be stimulated, as building owners work towards achieving compliance in areas such as HVAC, lighting, building retrofit, energy monitoring and more energy-efficient appliances and equipment, to optimize and reduce energy usage. This will involve engineering firms and other Energy Service Companies (ESCos), who will typically be contracted to do these energy efficiency upgrades, thereby creating much-needed job opportunities in the energy sector.”
View moreSANEDI encourages road-cooling technology this Transport Month
Cool road surfacing can combat rising temperatures due to “urban heat islands” and spur the economy.
Continue reading View moreSANEDI on track to make a difference this summer with an energy efficient cooling solution
Heading out of a long, cold winter, South African households will soon be thinking about reflecting heat instead of retaining warmth.
Continue reading View moreCool surfaces – creating a sustainable, low-cost intervention during the economic crisis
According to the South African National Energy and Development Institute (SANEDI) Cool surface technology offers an immediate, direct and inexpensive solution to South Africa’s strides towards an economy built on clean energy.
Through this technology, the environment benefits from a passive-energy cooling solution that includes cool roofs, cool walls and cool roads. Indeed, cool surfaces offer answers that demonstrate impact at various scales, industry and users.
National rollout and interventions
SA’s national energy supply is under constant threat, compounded by a fragile grid that is dealing with increasing demand, particularly as the economy continues to gradually unlock.
The Project Officer for Energy Efficiency Cool Surfaces at SANEDI, Denise Lundall, explained that the rising energy costs have reduced citizens’ monthly cash flow that is needed for other essential necessities.
“In such a scenario, energy efficiency should be at the front and centre of any energy strategy in this era of economic depression,” said Lundall.
According to Lundall, SANEDI has encouraged South Africans to manufacture cool coatings for rooves, walls and roads which could result in new industries and employment opportunities.
“A national rollout of cool surfaces will greatly aid the government in not only alleviating pressure on the grid – as a passive energy solution – but also create much-needed local economic development manufacturing and employment opportunities,” said Lundall.
Additionally, cool surfaces support the government’s drive to achieve multiple mandates. Cool roads, for example, can assist the Department of Transport to reduce the need for road maintenance and tyre damage, as it significantly reduces the surface and ambient temperature (of roads), effectively extending its lifespan.
“Cool surface technology can assist the Department of Trade and Industry in the revival of the economy, which includes a product lifecycle from manufacturing, testing to distribution and application. The Department of Human Settlements can benefit from a low-cost intervention that increases the standard of low-cost living, reduces energy costs and limits subsequent maintenance,” explained Lundall.
Urban benefits
In urban areas, SANEDI’s Cool Surface projects provide coating application training to local communities and partner departments, particularly those suffering from high unemployment. Successful graduates are offered paid jobs as supervised interns during project deployment and bring back invaluable experience to their own communities.
“The deployment of cool surface technology also greatly improves urban air quality, reducing energy and health costs. It reduces the urban heat island (UHI) effect as it cools the ambient temperature over cities, providing resilience to heat events and climate change,” commented Lundall.
A UHI is a metropolitan area that is a lot warmer than the immediate areas surrounding it. Heat is created by energy from people, cars, buses, and trains in big and densely populated cities. These UHIs usually have worse air and water quality than its immediate neighbours and night-time temperatures remain high.
On an individual building scale, cool surfaces improve the thermal comfort of occupants in buildings without mechanical air-conditioning, like some schools, warehouses, homes and factories.
“The technology improves health and productivity, saving on medical bills and reducing absenteeism from work and schools. Also, it substantially reduces the cost of building maintenance as it is waterproof, fire retardant, inexpensive, low-tech and quick and easy to deploy,” concluded Lundall.
Small operational changes can reap great savings
Amid national energy constraints and a mining sector set to contract, the opportunity exists for South Africa’s mining sector to continue exploring cost-saving measures with improved energy efficiency. With mine production in the country has plummeted in April and May due to lockdown restrictions and a near-total industry shutdown, boosted efforts to save energy and costs can improve the sustainability of this sector, which accounts for 8% of the country’s GDP.
New challenges for South Africa
The General Manager of Energy Efficiency & Corporate Communications for the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) explained that there are new challenges that the country is facing.
Addressing the ways energy is used in the mining sector can lead to huge financial and environmental savings for mine operations and for South Africa’s national grid.
“Looking at the crossroads of mining and energy, and making some simple changes to operations, means that we can achieve a better economic return on our precious mineral and energy resources,” said Bredenkamp.
Although most mines already have initiatives in place, newer technology and energy-saving techniques offer opportunities for improvement so desperately needed as mine productivity strives to recover.
The decision by President Ramaphosa last year to combine the Department of Energy and the Department of Mineral Resources amplifies the critical importance and synergy between these drivers of the economy. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has created a platform for the two industries to work together.
Bredenkamp explained that a recent case study by SANEDI on the 12L Tax Incentive showed how much energy efficiency can be gained from changes in mining operations.
“The 12L Tax incentive provides an allowance for businesses to implement energy efficiency savings. The savings allow for a tax deduction of 95c/kWh saved on energy consumption for a consecutive 12-month period,” Bredenkamp said.
Huge savings from simple changes
SANEDI undertook a case study with a large iron ore open-pit mining operation to establish what could be done to improve the mine’s energy efficiency. The study centred on the heavy mine-owned haul trucks, famous for being “gas guzzlers”. The mine’s trucks consumed a combined total of approximately 73 million litres of diesel during the baseline period.
To improve efficiency, the mine increased the amount of material transported by the haul truck fleets in each cycle, resulting in energy savings due to fewer cycles, achieving the same quantum of tonnes moved. The case study used a calibrated simulation model to assess the savings and found that, over two years, the haul trucks yielded a combined fuel savings of 21,685,430 kWh equivalent energy.
Bredenkamp commented that changing the hauled load would be a simple technical challenge to overcome and it can achieve substantial savings.
View more“The potential for even greater energy savings lies in every mine in South Africa, and a deeper look into how these mines operate holds huge implications for our economy,” Bredenkamp commented
