Browsing by Subject "renewable energy"
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- ItemRestrictedClean energy and development for South Africa: Results, Report 3 of 3.(2007) Hughes, Alison; Haw, MaryThe objective of this document is to report on the scenarios considered and compare the costs and social impacts using the sustainability indicators. The scenarios reported on are the energy efficiency improvements in the commercial, industrial, transport and residential sector, an increased penetration of biofuels and renewables and increased use of nuclear energy. The scenarios contain alternative fuel and appliance choices. Deviations from the base case are introduced in order to determine the effect specific policies or actions will have on the final energy demand and related emissions and costs of the system.
- 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 AccessFactors influencing the societal acceptance of new, renewable and energy efficiency technologies: meta-analysis of recent European projects(University of Cape Town, 2007) Brohmann, Bettina; Feenstra, Ynke; Heiskanen, Eva; Hodson, Mike; Mourik, Ruth; Prasad, Gisela; Raven, RobThe paper addresses the conditions for the successful introduction of sustainable energy technology projects in different geographic, institutional and cultural contexts. Our aim is to identify contextual and process-related factors influencing the level of societal acceptance and techno-economic successfulness achieved in energy projects that aim to mitigate climate change (renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced technologies). Our focus is on successfulness on the level of individual projects, but we also consider how ‘lessons learned’ in individual projects diffuse into the wider context of energy planning. In our conclusions, we identify key challenges for project managers and policy makers.
- ItemOpen AccessImpact assessment of large-scale penetration of permanent magnet synchronous generators on power quality(2017) Ntsadu, Ntlahla; Folly, Komla A; Khan, Mohamed AzeemWind power generation has gained a large share in the renewable energy market over the past few years. This study investigates the impact of large scale penetration of permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) based wind turbines on power quality of the grid. PMSGs are attractive due to the absence of a gearbox in the drive-train, which results in lower maintenance costs and higher reliability. Moreover, the advancements in power electronics have facilitated PMSGs to generate optimal power at varying wind speed conditions. This is achieved through the use of maximum power point tracking algorithms. The drawbacks of PMSG-based wind energy systems are that they inject harmonics into the network and cause flicker as well as other power quality issues. Despite these disadvantages, the grid code requires that PMSGs stay connected to the grid even under grid disturbances. This is because the reactive power control capability of PMSG-based wind energy systems can actually assist with voltage support. It will be shown in this study that disconnecting large scale PMSGs based wind turbines during grid disturbances has a detrimental effect on transient stability of the grid. This study will show that PMSG-based wind energy systems improve transient stability and assist in voltage support through reactive power control. Moreover, the impacts of large scale PMSG based wind turbines on power quality of the grid can be reduced by various means, which are also addressed in the study.
- ItemOpen AccessInnovative Finance Week 1 Video 6 - Impact energy(2019) Patton, AunnieThis video focuses on the impact of energy in countries. We highlight the need for energy in order to achieve high development. We also show that 1.2 billion people in the world do not have access to electricity, with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for half of that population. We also highlight that there iis a high potential of investing in renewable energy in those regions as they have a capacity to generate 11 terawtt of renewable energy This is video 6/11 in week 1 of the Innovative Finance: Hacking Finance to change the World course.
- ItemOpen AccessRenewable Energy IPPs in SSA – Effective use of Blended Finance(2019) Solwa, Imraan; Kabinga, MundiaBlended finance (“BF”) is a form of structuring finance which involves using foreign aid to leverage commercial funding to a project. The topic is generally under researched, despite its increased importance in development finance and as a tool in attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This research set out to investigate if BF was being applied in a justified manner in private sector renewable energy (“RE”) projects in Sub-Saharan Africa (“SSA”). The first two sub-questions looked at the criteria considered when qualifying projects for BF, and the factors influencing terms offered. The final sub-question was to seek operational evidence of appropriate BF usage. Data was collected through a series of semi-structured interviews with Donors, Development Finance Institutions (“DFIs”) and research institutions and analyzed using an inductive thematic approach. A descriptive case study was used to answer the final sub-question, and involved interviews with key individuals involved with the BF approval process in the selected project. The results suggest that BF is being applied in a justified manner. Sub-question one found that there is a difference in the criteria considered by Donors and DFIs when offering BF. Donor principles appear to be broader, due to their limited engagement on individual projects and delegated investment authority to DFIs. Having a development rationale and economic case for the use of BF was a prominent theme with DFIs and Donors. Factors influencing the BF terms offered to projects were difficult to extract due to the sensitive nature of the topic. Four factors did emerge, with minimizing concessionality being an overarching theme. For the final sub-question, the Mocuba Solar project was used as a case study and provided much needed evidence on the detailed processes followed in assessing the projects need for BF and how terms were derived. This research sheds light on the project level use of BF in the SSA RE IPP context and identifies areas where improvements can be made. Having more BF case studies and an agreed definition of BF for reporting purposes were recommendations to ensure BF is applied effectively.
- ItemOpen AccessRenewable energy technologies for poverty alleviation: Initial Assessment Report South Africa(2006) Prasad, Gisela; Visagie, Eugene
- ItemOpen AccessRenewable energy technologies for poverty alleviation: South Africa - biodiesel and solar water heaters(University of Cape Town, 2006) Prasad, Gisela; Visagie, EugeneSouth Africa, like other transitional countries, faces the dual challenge of pursuing economic growth and environmental protection. Sustainable energy systems, based on renewable energy (RE) resources, offer the possibility of doing both. The implementation of RE technologies faces a major challenge because South Africa has large coal deposits and its electricity generated from coal is among the cheapest in the world. Currently less than 1% of the 200 000 GWh of electricity generated in the country originates from renewable sources (DME, 2003a). The Government’s White Paper on Renewable Energy Policy (2003) supports the establishment of RE technologies, targeting the provision of 10 000 GWh of electricity from renewable resources by 2013. This has the potential to create 35 000 jobs, adding R5 billion to the GDP and R687 million to the incomes of low-income households (DME, 2004). Solar water heating and biodiesel have the greatest potential to contribute to meeting the target. RE is to be utilised for both power generation and non-electric technologies such as solar water heating and biofuels. By late 2005 the DME completed a Renewable Energy Target Monitoring Framework to ensure that progress towards the 2013 target is effectively monitored (DME, 2005a). In this report, two RE technologies – solar water heaters (SWHs) and biodiesel – have been identified where renewable energy could make a significant contribution towards poverty alleviation in terms of improving the general welfare of households as well as developing productive activities to generate employment. The country has high levels of solar radiation and an established manufacturing infrastructure for SWHs. They can contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and their manufacture and installation can contribute to job creation and skills development. However, the high upfront capital cost of SWHs is one of the key barriers to the development of a market in South Africa. Biodiesel has the potential to contribute to job creation, economic development in disadvantaged rural communities, energy security in the light of rising oil prices, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Some of the key challenges to the development of a biodiesel market are food security and limited water resources.