Browsing by Author "Keen, Samantha"
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- ItemOpen AccessClimate finance to transform energy infrastructure as part of a just transition in South Africa. Research report for SNAPFI project(University of Cape Town, 2020-08) Winkler, Harald; Keen, Samantha; Marquard, AndrewPrior to 2020, the South African economy was facing major socio-economic challenges, struggling to eliminate poverty and reduce persistent inequality. The COVID crisis has deepened the financial crisis, with the last major agency putting the country’s rating below investment grade, or ‘junk status’. The recovery plan starts with rescue. The climate crisis is longer-term but still needs as urgent action as ever. The country is preparing to enhance its nationally determined contribution in an unprecedented context. Decarbonisation of the electricity sector is a priority – but in the SA context requires careful attention to communities and workers dependent on coal. The just transition transaction (JTT) is being developed in technical detail since 2019 by Meridian Economics (2020) and making the financial deal is work in progress. In brief, the transaction mobilises blended finance to fund the accelerated phase out of coal, thereby accelerating a transition from coal to renewable energy, and a portion of the concessional funds flows into Just Transition fund. This case study reflects on the JTT, seeking to understand its architecture, the potential to catalyse changes in the complex set of challenges in the electricity sector, by funding accelerated phase-out of coal and a just transition in South Africa, with broader implications for international climate finance. The time-scale of developing the transaction is fluid, while implementation of decommissioning would take many years. The purpose of the study is to understand the potential of a just transition transaction to accelerate the phase out of coal-fired power and to fund development projects. The purpose requires a specific focus, and it is important to understand what is included in the scope of this case study, and what lies beyond that scope.
- ItemOpen AccessDraft policy framework for efficient water use in energy production.(Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town., 2014) Madhlopa, Amos; Keen, Samantha; Sparks, Debbie; Moorlach, MaschaSouth Africa faces imperatives to secure a supply of clean water and to protect water resources, as well as to provide a secure supply of energy. Over and above the mandates of ensuring clean water provision and of improving the coverage and security of a reliable energy supply, the government faces challenges of reducing poverty and unemployment, and of ensuring sustainable development. In order to meet these challenges, the national government has developed a set of progressive policies. Harmonisation of these policies is itself a considerable challenge.
- ItemOpen AccessRenewable energy choices and water requirements in South Africa(University of Cape Town., 2013) Madhlopa, Amos; Keen, Samantha; Sparks, Debbie; Moorlach, Mascha; Dane, AnthonySouth Africa (SA) is an arid country, where water supply is often obtained from distant sources. There is also 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 (major greenhouse gas). In addition, fossil fuels are getting depleted, thereby decreasing energy security. Consequently, the international community has initiated various interventions, including the transformation of policy and regulatory instruments, to promote sustainable energy. In view of this, SA is making policy and regulatory shifts in line with the 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 renewable energy choices and water requirements in SA. Data was 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 at international and national levels. Most of the data was collected from secondary sources (literature) and therefore the assessment boundaries are not fully comparable. Results show that there are limited data on all aspects of water usage in the production of energy, accounting in part for the significant variations in the values of water intensity reported in the global literature. It is vital to take into account all aspects of the energy life cycle to enable isolation of stages where substantial amounts of water are used. 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 wetcooling 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 energy options in terms of water withdrawal and consumption.
- ItemOpen AccessWater considerations in selecting energy technologies(Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town., 2014) Madhlopa, Amos; Keen, Samantha; Sparks, Debbie; Moorlach, MaschaWater plays a vital role in the socio-economic development of any nation. It is exploited in different economic sectors, including the energy sector. Water and energy are inextricably related, and this relationship is usually referred to as the water-energy nexus. Water is used for energy production in the abstraction, growth and preparation of some fuels as well as in some power plants. It is also used in the raw materials for plant infrastructure, manufacturing of plant components, and the construction of power generating infrastructure. The volume of water used in the raw materials will vary widely, not only with the technology, but also the material type and plant design. Furthermore, these materials can be imported from any location and the associated water use is not limited to any water catchment, water management area or local authority.