The leadership and management of the City of Johannesburg are urged to get behind the call to switch Joburg to 100% renewable energy. This will very quickly start to make the city more sustainable as it creates jobs. To advance this aim, the African Climate Reality Project (ACRP) last week met with the Executive Director of the Environment and Infrastructure Services … [Read more...]
South Africa no longer leading the continent on renewable energy
Although South Africa is the country with the most potential “by far” in terms of its renewable energy programmes, it is stuck in a the “(Fitfully) Waking Giant” category, financial services provider Fieldstone Africa said in its first renewables index for the year. When the Fieldstone Africa Renewables Index (FARI) was introduced, South Africa was the leading country on the … [Read more...]
Eco-friendly wind turbine flaps it’s giant wings like a bird
A Tunisian startup has pulled inspiration from hummingbird wings for a new wind turbine design. Developed by Tyer Wing, the turbine is equipped with a pair of flapping wings that are over five feet long and move in a figure-eight motion – just as a hummingbird flaps its wings while hovering. The design allows the turbines to generate energy on both the upstroke and the … [Read more...]
The largest social movement in history
An unprecedented phenomenon is now happening in this world of ours. Be they teachers in favelas, forest defenders, urban farmers, occupiers of Wall Street, designers of windmills, military resisters (the list goes on…), the fact is people from all walks of life are coming alive and coming together, impelled to create a more just and sustainable society. In his book Blessed … [Read more...]
Scientists accidentally discover efficient process to turn CO2 into ethanol
If scientists can figure out how to convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into fuel - and do it at an industrial scale - it would, quite literally, change the world. Last month, we hit the highest levels of atmospheric CO2 in 4 million years, and it’s now permanent, meaning we’ll never be able to drop to 'safe' levels again. But if we can turn CO2 into a fuel source, we can at … [Read more...]
South Africa’s renewables industry growth is fastest in the world
In 2015 SA had the world’s fastest growing green economy! This news broke at the countdown to Windaba. Moody's Corporation’s report shows the highest growth year-on-year globally for asset finance at 300%, totalling $4.5 billion (ZAR 63 billion) in 2015. In another industry affirming move this week, President Jacob Zuma clarified the government's position on the Independent … [Read more...]
The time is now for SA’s energy revolution
It's time to look up, not down, for South Africa's energy solution, says The African Climate Reality Project. In an apparent state of conflict over its energy policies, South Africa flounders as a victim of load shedding in the grip of Eskom’s continued reliance upon coal and now also must seriously review its ‘intended nationally determined contribution’ (INDC) and declare … [Read more...]
How will Africa adapt to green energy?
US President Barack Obama has unveiled a final set of rules to cut greenhouse gas emissions in a big initiative which would form a major plank of his legacy as he winds down his term in office. In what has been termed the strongest action ever taken in the United States to combat climate change, the rules will see the country’s hundreds of coal-fired—and polluting—power … [Read more...]
India making waves in offshore wind energy
In the last few months there is a movement afoot in India to speed up the development of wind energy projects and open up the offshore wind sector. This shows from the government’s decision to continue with policies such as Accelerated Depreciation (AD) and Generation-Based Incentive (GBI) – along with its plans to launch the Wind Energy Mission. In what can be seen as a … [Read more...]
Does Africa hold the key to the world’s energy crisis?
Africa has some of the most exciting and innovative solutions in the realm of renewable and sustainable energy and now these innovations could be rewarded too. The Zayed Future Energy Prize was established by the United Arab Emirates government to inspire and ignite the great minds of the 21st century to come up with innovative solutions and implement projects that can … [Read more...]
Six myths about renewable energy busted
The evidence is in: Renewable energy is viable, reliable, and ready to go – all that’s missing is the political will to kick start an energy revolution in South Africa. On this page Greenpeace has grouped some of the most common myths about renewable energy, explaining why they are just that – myths that don’t stand up to reality. But here’s the thing, although they’ve … [Read more...]
The search for efficient renewable energy
Currently, the biggest issue for renewable energy is its efficient and reliable integration with the power grid. This will require innovative solutions and extraordinary cooperative efforts from all industry role players, according to UK based energy network Engerati. As policies support the increase in renewable generation, a number of challenges are brought to the table. … [Read more...]
Matadors wave their red rags in our energy arena
Spanish energy companies are dominating the alternative energy bullring as South Africa gears up to deliver wind and solar energy to power the future of our country. Elma interviewed the Spanish Consul, Sr. Ignatius (pictured) to find out how this happened: I am very interested in the presence of so many new Spanish alternative energy companies in SA. How did that come … [Read more...]
