As from 1 January 2017 100% of Dutch electric trains are powered by wind energy. The Dutch railways company NS is the world’s first railway company that gets 100% of its energy from wind energy. Travelling by train has been the most environmentally friendly way of transportation for a long time already. In the Netherlands they have now taken it to the next level using wind … [Read more...]
City concludes embedded electricity generation contract
Today the City of Cape Town signed the first small-scale embedded electricity generation contract with Black River Park Investments, an office block in Observatory. They commend Black River Park for leading the way in the commercial real estate sector by utilising large-scale solar power systems to generate environmentally sustainable energy. Black River will be producing … [Read more...]
Solar power in sunny South Africa
With the rise in demand for sustainable energy, solar power is stepping up to supply. In a country with plentiful sunshine, this seems like an ideal and bottomless resource to tap. Last week the Solar Indaba was hosted by the Mount Nelson hotel in Cape Town, and Green Times attended. This conference gave 250 director and board level stakeholders the opportunity to enter … [Read more...]
Miss Earth South Africa placed in Top 8
Johannesburg-based environmentalist and law graduate, Tamerin Jardine, placed in the Top 8 at the 13th International Miss Earth at a star-studded, glittering gala showcase event at the Versailles Palace, Alabang in Manila, Philippines on Saturday night. From the outset this 25-year-old was a favourite with avid competition followers and pundits alike and from the minute she … [Read more...]
iShack for upgraded greener living
"This house is more comfortable than our previous place, and I am very happy that we have lights because there is no electricity here,” says Nosango Victoria Plaatjie, proud occupant of a prototype eco-friendly dwelling in the informal settlement of Enkanini, Stellenbosch, called the iShack. The “i” stands for “improved”, and it entails cost-effective and sustainable … [Read more...]
Time to invest in clean energy
Following on the success of the launch of Viridis Africa 2011, where more than 20 major investment opportunities were presented to prospective investors, Viridis Africa is now soliciting business plans in the clean tech industry from entrepreneurs seeking funding to turn their projects to account. Viridis Africa as its name suggests in Latin, is about investment into "green" … [Read more...]
Stand together for an international anti-nuclear conference
On the African continent today, South Africa is the only country to possess a nuclear reactor, and its developments in this field will undoubtedly influence other African countries. If funds and efforts are focused on nuclear power, this inhibits the development of renewable energy, which is the only long term clean solution. To enable a sustainable energy future, it is … [Read more...]
Double Renewable Energy Available in Africa
The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) has published today a study mapping the potential of renewable energy sources in Africa. The report analyses the current energy consumption in Africa and assesses potential of renewable energy sources - solar, wind, biomass and hydropower - and their cost efficiency and environmental sustainability. Its publication coincides … [Read more...]
The Advanced Energy [R]evolution
![The Advanced Energy [R]evolution](http://thegreentimes.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/a786836489dab4f04d53706ec376ba50_L-150x150.jpg)
South Africa can create around 150 000 new jobs in the energy sector in the next 20 years, and at the same time safeguard against catastrophic climate change - according to Greenpeace's new 'Advanced Energy [R]evolution' report. 'The Advanced Energy [R]evolution' is a detailed and practical blueprint for cutting carbon emissions, replacing fossil fuels and nuclear power with … [Read more...]
Minister’s ‘nuclear fleet’ statement greeted with alarm
Civil society groups are up in arms in response to the statement by Minister Dipuo Peters at the Investec Power Summit in Sandton on Tuesday, that South Africa could build 'a fleet of five or six nuclear power stations.' This is particularly alarming, given the recent release of an authoritative report by an eminent group of Russian scientists that concludes (based on … [Read more...]
Energy efficiency part 7 – how big is the gap?
'If you don't know where you're going, any road will lead you there.' This is as true in achieving sustainable energy efficiency as in any other core business outcome. Being Energy Smart means having stretched targets. You also need to understand what is required to bridge the gap between your current situation and the goals you want to achieve, or the state to be. It is … [Read more...]
