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VOLUME 14 NUMBER 4

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UN climate change conference in Poznan outcome STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, SOUTH AFRICA, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK

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n Poznan, we agreed to move into full negotiating mode by adopting detailed work plans with concrete milestones that will ensure that we conclude negotiations in Copenhagen at the end of 2009. This includes an agreement on the tabling of negotiating texts early in 2009, as a basis for serious negotiations on strengthening the climate regime. We are absolutely committed to this time schedule and to concluding negotiations in Copenhagen, understanding that tough negotiations lie ahead. Yet, we are very concerned about the widening gap in trust between developed and developing countries; and generally, we are disappointed by the lack of leadership by developed countries. This includes: 1. The inability of developed countries to come forward with credible and ambitious mid-term targets for their future mitigation commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. Rather than coming forward with clear numbers and adopting a range for mid-term emission reduction targets in a timely manner, as was previously agreed, some developed countries are still playing hide-and-seek with the climate. This is irresponsible. 2. The deafening silence from

developed countries in response to detailed G77 & China proposals on technology and finance was widely noted. We came to Poznan well prepared with constructive and substantive proposals, ready for serious negotiations. Many of our negotiating partners from the developed world appear to have arrived in Poznan inadequately prepared and unwilling to engage in real negotiations on the important issues. Lacking a proactive approach on technology and finance, it was difficult to build trust at this important juncture. 3. Adaptation – and adequate and predictable funding for adaptation – unfortunately took a back seat in the Poznan negotiations. These are priority issues to developing countries where livelihoods, human lives, food security and the meeting of other basic needs are threatened by climate change. In Bali we agreed to conclude negotiations on extending the so-called share of proceeds levy on the CDM to other flexible mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol. This would have mobilised significant additional funding for adaptation in vulnerable developing countries. Unfortunately our negotiating partners arrived here unwilling to negotiate on this critical issue, leaving us developing countries with a sense

DECEMBER 2008

IN THIS ISSUE

UN climate change conference in Poznan outcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Cleaner energy cooler climate: developing sustainable energy solutions for South Africa . . . . . . . . . 2 The potential for renewable energy independent power producers in SA. 3 New research shows renewable |energy is the least-cost option . . . . . 4 World conservation body calls for transition to sustainability . . . . . . . . . 4 UNFCCC post-2012 climate regime prop-osals and potential requirements for SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 UN Desertification Conference ends. 6 IEA underestimates renewable energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Renewable Energy Outlook unveils feasibility of rapid RE deployment. . . 7 Widespread and complex climatic changes outlined in atmospheric brown cloud report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Concerns about climate change hit home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Delay of 2c/kWh levy on fossil fuel power generation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 GTZ funds position on biofuels and bioenergy in SADC . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 March for free basic and clean electricity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Energy Indicators for Sustainable Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Establishment of International Renewable Energy Agency . . . . . . . 16 Zoom help turn tourism green . . . . . 16 New IIED papers on climate change17 Eskom not in a position to invest in nuclear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Green energy on billboards. . . . . . . 18 Air travel levy could raise billions for climate change adaptation . . . . . . . 18 Don’t blame cities for climate change, see them as solutions . . . . . . . . . . . 19 A tribute to Professor Ian E Lane . . 20 IH Systems – products and applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Short courses in renewable and sustainable energy studies . . . . . . . 22 Energy events 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

2 Energy Management News of disillusionment. This situation does not bode well for trust-building as we enter the next phase of negotiations. The implication is that, though the Adaptation Fund has been fully operationalised, it is virtually empty – the funding from developing countries themselves is simply not enough given the size of the need. On the road from Bali to Copenhagen, delegates now leave Poznan with a large deficit. We are as determined as ever to conclude an ambitious agreement in Copenhagen. What will be required is renewed pressure on reluctant countries, and a new sense of urgency in some developed countries. In particular, we need early signals on mid-term targets for developed countries as well as funding and technology commitments by developed countries. G Contact: Ronel Bester Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Cell: +27 (0) 83 242 7763 E-mail: [email protected]

ERRATUM In the September edition, the author and contact person for the article on Page 22 titled: A world view of energy, is Dr Philip Lloyd, Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town (e-mail: [email protected]). The Editor regrets the error.

Cleaner energy cooler climate: developing sustainable energy solutions for South Africa

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BY HARALD WINKLER AND PUBLISHED BY THE HSRC PRESS

he sustainable supply and use of energy is central to South Africa’s future development path. Energy is a critical factor in economic and social development, and energy systems impact on the environment. The challenge, then, not only for South Africa but also for other developing nations, is to manage the sustainable supply and use of energy with development as a first priority, and the mitigation of climate change as a logical spinoff. In Cleaner Energy Cooler Climate: Developing sustainable energy solutions for South Africa (HSRC Press), author Harald Winkler explores national sustainable energy options within the context of international climate change. His approach is to put development objectives first, focusing on the means to make development more sustainable, while considering reductions of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (the primary cause of climate change) as co-benefits. The connections between sustainable development and climate change works in two directions. On the one hand, unmitigated growth in emissions has the potential to undermine sustainable development. On the other hand, making development paths more sus-

tainable can contribute to climate change mitigation. South Africa, alongside other developing nations, has been exempt from the same targets assigned to industrialised countries with regard to reducing GHG emissions. In terms of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol, there has been an emphasis on the notion of historical responsibility, in that GHGs historically have been emitted mostly by industrialised nations. But at the negotiations in Bali in 2007, developing countries acknowledged that they have a responsibility for the future

Harald Winkler addressing the book launch

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The potential for renewable energy independent power producers in SA

Harald Winkler, the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Martinus van Schalkwyk and ERC post-graduate students (including their projected growth in emissions) and are embarked on a path to negotiate quantifiable mitigation actions. In South Africa, where the economy depends on fossil fuels, the management of sustainable energy is crucial. Coal accounts for three-quarters of primary energy supply and over 90 percent of electricity generation. Over a decade ago, energy-related emissions were already constituting 78 percent of South Africa’s GHGs, and the figure is steadily growing. By focusing specifically on development in South Africa’s residential and electricity sectors, Winkler sets out to address whether there are energy policies to make development more sustainable economically, socially and environmentally, while also reducing GHG emissions. Winkler begins with a review of the concept of sustainable development as applied to the energy sector. He follows this by outlining development objectives – first for South Africa as a whole, then in the energy sector and homing in on electricity in particular. Policy options in the residential demand and electricity supply sectors are identified, and the implications of future energy policies are examined in a modelling framework. The results of this examination are discussed and interpreted, followed by an analysis and evaluation of policies. Considerations of what is required to shift energy policy that looks good in analysis follows. Finally, the author returns to the international scale and what the findings of this book might

mean for multilateral climate negotiations. The approach of sustainable development policies and measures, exemplified here, is increasingly discussed in the UN climate negotiations. From solar water heating, efficient housing, nuclear alternatives and cleaner coal initiatives, Winkler examines the viability of a number of energy options. Overall, he comments, there are indeed policies that meet local sustainable development objectives and also deliver GHG co-benefits. These need to be rigorously pursued and implemented. Ultimately, he concludes, climate change mitigation policy should start with local sustainable development rather than goals set in climate terms. Providing detailed and relevant analysis, Cleaner Energy Cooler Climate: Developing sustainable energy solutions for South Africa offers crucially important options to be considered by the country as it proceeds on its developmental path against a backdrop of increasingly ominous climate change. Copies of all of HSRC Press published titles are available from leading booksellers nationally, and from the online bookshop at www.hsrcpress.ac.za. G Contact: Karen Bruns Marketing Manager, HSRC Press Tel: +27 21 466 8022 Fax: +27 21 461 0836 Mobile: 083 231 8326 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.hsrcpress.ac.za.

Renewable energy and independent power generators (IPPs) bring together a number of the forces shaping the power sector in South Africa. What role can renewable energy IPPs play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, easing the crisis in the generation sector and contributing to the transformation of the energy sector? How will this potential role be shaped within the an environment where Government is expanding the power sector in a very much business as usual manner with only a slim window opened for non state players? The recent and unprecedented increase in tariffs in the power sector has, however, brought power market forces to bear and has created opportunities for decentralised and smaller scale power generators. Bethlehem Hydro, a small hydro power IPP, is an example of a new breed of power projects in South Africa that is signalling change in the structure of the energy sector. AntonLouis Olivier, Managing Director – Nu Planet (Pty) Ltd and Bethlehem Hydro (Pty) Ltd, is the developer of Bethlehem Hydro. He has been investigating the regularity barriers to IPP development in South Africa, and looking at innovative approaches to power project development, which can reverse the conventional wisdom in the energy sector that only large scale fossil fuel based generation plants are viable and the most beneficial to the South African economy and electricity consumers. Anton-Louis has completed the development and financing of Bethlehem Hydro, a green field 7 MW hydro independent power plant currently under construction and two of the first greenhouse gas emission reduction projects to reach implementation in South Africa. G Contact: Sarita Cronjé - Media Enquiries Cell: 083 325 6716 E-mail: [email protected]

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New research shows renewable energy is the leastcost option

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n the 9th September 2008 at Wits University, Jason Schaffler of Nano Energy presented the latest findings (with cost analysis) of the potentials of renewable energy. Not only can Renewable Energy (wind, solar, wave) provide over 50% by 2050, it will also be cheaper than continuing with the dirty, old fossil fuel economy. In fact, this research indicates that costs of delaying action in the promotion of renewable energy is greater than the current capital cost differential. In other words, spend more today so that less has to be spent tomorrow. By contrast, in a terminal situation of global resource scarcity (in particular coal and oil), the current practise of building more coal-fired stations and planned nuclear reactors is akin to buying a V8 car without considering petrol costs. Furthermore, this research firmly points out that, “The main constraints (to renewables) are neither resource availability nor techno-economics but a limiting mindset focussed on the supply-side, partial energy costing, low (indirectly subsidised) energy prices and shortterm thinking favouring low initial costs. Dominance of the state-controlled power monopoly and the influence of vested interests (particularly of the minerals sector) on key stakeholders are exacerbated by a lack of awareness and informed leadership as well as a real shortage of person power. It is concluded that the most important constraint is not money, men, machines, materials or management, but the motivation, the inspired political will.”

G Contact: Tristen Taylor Energy Policy Officer Earthlife Africa - Johannesburg Branch Tel: +27 11 339 3662 Fax: +27 11 339 3270 Cell: +27 84 250 2434 Website: www.earthlife.org.za/Files/REBriefingPaperFinal5Aug08.pdf

World conservation body calls for transition to sustainability

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he International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has called on the environmental movement to play a decisive role in planning and inspiring a transition to a world that sustains abundant and diverse life, human and otherwise, and does so humanely. The call is outlined in a free book called Transition to Sustainability: Towards a Humane and Diverse World, which IUCN launched in September, and has been produced in collaboration with partners including the International Institute for Environment and Development. The issues the book raises were discussed in October, during the annual IUCN Congress, when 8 000 of the world’s leaders in sustainable development gathered in Barcelona. The book notes that the world is facing unprecedented challenges from climate change, continuing loss of biodiversity, and the end of the era of cheap oil. All these issues affect nature and people with cascading effects on food, water and energy security. They are coming to a head together, and at a faster pace than most policy makers could have predicted. No one is immune from the influences of these trends, although they hit the poorest and most vulnerable groups the hardest. The future isn’t what it used to be, and there are no road maps for the path ahead. A transition to sustainability is urgent, but is it possible? The book, written by William M. Adams of Cambridge University and Sally J. Jeanrenaud of IUCN, outlines what is needed to make that transition. ‘We must help ‘decarbonise’ the world economy,’ says William M Adams, a co-author. ‘Society needs to reduce, redirect and redistribute global consumption, and achieve dramatic reductions in carbon use. We must change the way we think about growth

and prosperity, to achieve more with less.’ ‘We need a new era of conservation that creates a social movement for change and relates to the nature of everyday living – one that embraces sustainable lifestyles and livelihoods as well as endangered species and spaces,’ says Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Director General, IUCN. ‘Justice and poverty reduction have to be central to any effective transition to sustainability,’ says Steve Bass, from the International Institute for Environment and Development, one of the project partners. ‘The root causes of environmental problems are often identical to those of social problems – poor governance – and the environmental movement must commit itself to a path of justice and global equity.’ ‘The environmental movement must make a step-change in the way it addresses the sustainability challenges facing the world at the beginning of the twenty-first century. We must support on-going efforts to mainstream environmental issues into the economy,’ says Valli Moosa, President of IUCN. ‘The environmental movement must go beyond counting the problems and ‘doom and gloom’ messages to foster the vision that gives us hope, encourages creativity, and inspires us to change,’ says Sally Jeanrenaud, the other co-author.

G Contact: Sarah Horsley IUCN Media Relations Officer Tel: +41 22 999 0127 Mobile: +41 79 528 3486 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/tra nsition_to_sustainability__en__pdf_1. pdf ‘

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limate change negotiations under the UNFCCC are moving towards determining the form for a post-2012 climate regime, with the Kyoto Protocol’s first commitment period ending in 2012. The Kyoto Protocol, under the UNFCCC, aims to mitigate climate change through slowing the growth of GHG emissions by setting target levels lower than business-asusual levels. As a developing country, South Africa does not have a GHG emission reduction commitment under the Protocol. There have been a multitude of post-2012 proposals which vary according to: • overall target levels for global GHG emission levels, • the timeframe for when target levels should be reached, and • the level of responsibility of country groupings and individual countries. The first two aspects will apply to, and be affected by all countries actions. The assigning of the responsibility of GHG emission reductions to groupings and individual countries will affect each country, and with the urgent need to reduce worldwide GHG emissions, South Africa and other developing countries may need to act to curb emissions. South Africa’s GHG reduction commitments under a post-2012 climate regime will depend on the form this takes. It is unlikely to be a very simple system as there are many factors to consider for every country, and circumstances are different for each. However, the commitments may be based on the principles of one of the proposals. The South-North Dialogue, Contraction and Convergence (C&C), Triptych and SD-PAMs (sustainable development policies and measures) are all post-2012 climate change mitigation proposals that divide up GHG emission reduction responsibilities according to different methodologies. Comparing the emission reductions for South Africa under each of these proposals indicates the cost to South Africa for each of them. The FAIR 2.2 and 2.6 policy analysis tools were used to determine South Africa’s commitments under the climate proposals. The targeted level of global GHG emissions stabilisation also affects the severity of targets, and a global target level of 550ppm CO2e is estimated to limit climate change to a mean of between 2.8 and 3.2°C according to the IPCC in 2007.

Energy Management News 5

An assessment of UNFCCC post-2012 climate regime proposals and potential requirements for South Africa It was found that the C&C approach, that requires all countries to converge to an equal per capita emissions level, required very large emissions reductions for South Africa. The target level for emissions in 2030 under C&C was 433MtCO2e whereas the business-as-usual level was projected to be 954MtCO2e. This is a 55% reduction from the base case and would require 1.7% of South Africa’s GDP in 2030. The South-North Dialogue proposal differentiates between industrialised and developing countries and makes allowances for delayed and lesser emission reduction activities for developing countries. Under this proposal, South Africa is required to reduce emissions by 43% from 954MtCO2e to 546MtCO2e, at a cost of 1.1% of GDP. The Triptych approach assigns emission reductions according to targets for various emissions intensive sectors of a country’s economy. Reductions for the industrial, domestic, electricity, fossil fuel production, agriculture and waste sectors are added to get an overall reduction target. The country may then choose how it may best achieve this target level. For South Africa, the main GHG reductions components of the target are the electricity (62%), fossil fuel production (18%) and industrial sectors (13%), totalling 93% of the reduction target. This Triptych

approach calls for a reduction in South Africa’s GHG emissions of 46% in 2030, and the cost would be comparable to the South-North Dialogue approach. Applying the Triptych methodology to work out reductions to a MARKAL South African energy model, showed similar results to the calculations done in the FAIR 2.6 tool. Although the sectors are modelled with different growth projections, the overall reduction levels do not differ significantly and would require similar levels of effort by South Africa to realise emission reductions. The potential of using SD-PAMs to meet Triptych targets was assessed. SD-PAMs are GHG reduction policy measures that are developed to have social and economic co-benefits. This approach to mitigating climate change is more attractive to developing countries as their more pressing development objectives can be achieved in conjunction to climate change objectives. It was found that implementing SD-PAMs could potentially achieve about 57% of the required reductions for the Triptych case. Overall this study on the effects of post-2012 climate regimes on South Africa shows how different proposals would mean differing levels of emission reductions for South Africa. Even though South Africa is classed as a developing country, its per capita, electricity and industrial emission levels are higher than its developing counterparts. The study also assesses targets for different baselines and growth assumptions. G Contact: Jonathan Manley Energy Research Centre University of Cape Town E-mail: [email protected]

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UN Desertification Conference ends in Istanbul

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major United Nations conference ended on 14 November, with significant steps taken to combat desertification and land degradation as well as to mitigate the effects of drought, known as DLDD. Delegates from the 193 countries who are the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) took significant actions to resolve difficult scientific problems within the Convention process. By drawing in the scientific and technological community more intensively to create indicators that can be used at national levels and beyond, the Convention will win more confidence of the stakeholders. In addition, the reporting process from the Parties is to be mainstreamed so that both affected countries and development partners can see where the Convention reaps large benefits and retain them, while eliminating less effective ones. ‘The delegates in Istanbul took a big stride to guide the next year’s ninth Conference of the Parties (COP9) [the decision making body of the Convention]. We are all on the same page. But it has to be remembered that without proper action by stakeholders, both in developing and developed countries, some 50 million people could be displaced by desertification and land degradation within the next ten years,’ said Mr. Luc Gnacadja, Executive Secretary of the UNCCD. The Seventh Session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 7) and the first special session of the Committee on Science and Technology (CSTS1) were held in Istanbul from 3 to 14 November. At the first special session of the Committee for Science and Technology (CST-S1), the scientific advisory body of the Convention, delegates confirmed that promoting the participation of the national science and technology correspondents (STC) in the activities of the committee would enhance its work. The Committee, in consultation with STCs, is now moving forward to select a minimum set of indicators to measure the impact of the implementation of the Convention. Mr. Gnacadja said that these indicators would be applicable to all countries so that a common standard can make analysis at the national,

sub-regional, regional, and the global level feasible. It will also increase the effectiveness of the implementation of the Convention. The set of indicators will be finalized during regional scientific meetings next year towards the submission to COP9. The ninth session of the CST (CST9) scientific conference will be held next year to ensure peer scientific review with which a Scientific Policy Dialogue is planned. At the seventh session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 7), which followed the CST-S1, the delegates agreed on reporting principles which measure the Convention’s implementation progress. Through the reporting process, affected countries and development partners would understand ‘what works, what doesn’t’ in implementing the Convention. Assssment of national capacity to implement the Convention will be conducted in all regions in order to design a comprehensive capacity building approach. The new reporting format will provide opportunities for affected country Parties to address their success and constraints in implementing the Convention in its 10-year strategic plan. For developed country Parties, future reporting should focus on providing information about how the Convention has been mainstreamed into their development cooperation strategies. Another significant step was the concrete proposal to strengthen the involvement of integrating civil society organizations into the review process. ‘Recommendations made at the conference have several significant implications. First, the reporting guidelines will increase credibility of the Convention. Secondly, by Parties agreeing to the establishment of the work programme, taking a result-based management approach, the Convention will increase accountability. Further, the cooperation among the Convention institutions will increase efficiency of the implementation process of the Convention.’ commented Mr. Gnacadja. ‘This is a certain step-forward for making the Convention a systemic and worldwide response to global environmental issues affecting land and its ecosystems.’ The 10-year strategic plan, adopted

at the Eighth Conference of the Parties (COP8) in Madrid last year, is the response of the member Parties to change in the Convention’s environment. In response to the change, there is a need to restructure the UNCCD institutions for their institutional coherence; to strengthen the Committee on Science and Technology (CST); and to improve the review process of the implementation of the Convention with new and standardized reporting guidelines. Mr. Gnacadja hopes that, by taking these actions, Parties could agree and monitor qualitative and quantitative targets to be achieved towards the goals set out in the 10-year strategic plan. ‘Setting, achieving and monitoring targets on land improvement with incentive mechanisms could redefine the concept and the content of international development cooperation that could be achieved from strong partnerships of all the stakeholders involved’ Mr Gnacadja said. The new recommendations would entail a wider use of the information generated by countries and would achieve a higher level of accountability as desired by the Parties, according to the UNCCD Executive Secretary. These will be addressed at the next Conference of the Parties in autumn 2009. ‘The pieces have fallen together here in Istanbul to fight DLDD. Now is the time to act,’ concluded Mr Gnacadia. Developed as a result of the Rio Summit, the UNCCD is a unique instrument that has brought attention to land degradation to some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and people in the world. Twelve years after coming into force the UNCCD benefits from the largest membership of the three Rio Conventions and is increasingly recognized as an instrument that can make an important contribution to the achievement of sustainable development and poverty reduction.

G Contact: Marcos Montoiro Awareness Raising, Communication and Education Unit UNCCD Secretariat Tel: +90 (0) 532 6170635 / +49 228 815 2806 Fax: +90 (0) 212 22115438 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.unccd.int

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International Energy Agency underestimates renewable energy

he International Energy Agency (IEA) published the World Energy Outlook 2008 (WEO) on 12 November in which it describes the global energy situation and predicts future developments. According to the WEO ‘Reference Scenario’, non-hydro renewable energy will only contribute 4 % to the electricity supply in the year 2030, underlying an assumed average growth rate of only 7.2%. Today wind energy alone provides around 1.5 % of the worldwide power consumption and the average growth rate in the past ten years has been at 30%. China alone showed growth rates of more than 100% in the past two years. Independent studies like the Renewable Energy Outlook 2030, recently released by the Energy Watch Group (EWG), have demonstrated that renewable energy can contribute the lion’s share of power supply in the mid-term future – more than 60% is

Renewable Energy Outlook unveils economic feasibility of rapid renewable energy deployment

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he independent Energy Watch Group published the Renewable Energy Outlook 2030. Energy Watch Group Global Energy Scenarios on 10 November. The report analyses cost trends and investment needs

possible by the year 2030, given that the right policies are in place. The EWG scenarios are drawing a much more realistic picture than even the more ambitious WEO’s ‘450 Policy Scenario’ because they are based on real renewable energy deployment rates and economics. Stefan Gsänger, WWEA Secretary General: ‘Although the IEA report calls for a global energy revolution, it still underestimates the contribution that renewable energy can deliver. We regret that the IEA still does not fully realise the actual dynamics and economics of renewable energy. The new World Energy Outlook may, as a kind of self- fulfilling prophecy, mislead policy makers to making poor decisions by not putting enough focus on renewable energy and thus slowing down the renewable energy deployment rates. Governments around the world should understand that wind and other

renewable energy technologies can be implemented immediately, providing practically infinite energy at low cost, without doing harm to climate and the environment and even creating additional jobs in a key industry.’

in the global energy sector and predicts a renewable energy share of up to 62% in electricity generation and up to almost 30% in total energy consumption by the year 2030, with wind reaching a global capacity of up to 2792 GW. The expected annual investment in the renewable energy sector is based on actual cost and investment trends and will be far below today’s global military expenditure. Stefan Gsänger, WWEA Secretary General: “The Renewable Energy Outlook 2030 unveils a realistic path describing how wind energy and other renewable energy technologies will develop in the coming two decades. There is not reason why wind and other renewable energies should not continue their growth rates like in the past ten years - in the case of wind, the average growth rate has been 30%. The study shows that, based on pure economics, wind energy will deliver a lion’s share of the global electricity needs in the not too distant future. We congratulate the Energy Watch Group for this analysis which is much more realistic than many other

reports and scenarios published so far. The Renewable Energy Outlook will be an important reference source and give guidance to decision-makers both in governments as well as in the industry.”

G Contact: Stefan Gsänger, Secretary General World Wind Energy Association WWEA Head Office Charles de Gaulle Str. 5 53113 Bonn Germany Tel. +49 228 369 4080 Fax +49 228 369 4084 Websites: www.wwindea.org and www.iea.org

G Contact: Stefan Gsänger World Wind Energy Association WWEA Head Office Charles-de-Gaulle-Str. 5 53113 Bonn Germany Tel. +49 228 369 4080 Fax +49 228 369 4084 Websites: www.wwindea.org www.energywatchgroup.org/Renewables.52+M5d637b1e38d.0.html

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Widespread and complex climatic changes outlined in new UNEP project atmospheric brown cloud report

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ities from Beijing to New Delhi are getting darker, glaciers in ranges like the Himalayas are melting faster and weather systems becoming more extreme, in part, due to the combined effects of human-made Atmospheric Brown Clouds (ABCs) and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These are among the conclusions of scientists studying a more than three km-thick layer of soot and other manmade particles that stretches from the Arabian Peninsula to China and the western Pacific Ocean. The team, drawn from research centres in Asia including China and India, Europe and the United States, announced their latest and most detailed assessment of the phenomenon in mid-November. The brown clouds, the result of the burning of fossil fuels and biomass, are in some cases and regions aggravating the impacts of greenhouse gas-induced climate change, says the report. This is because ABCs lead to the formation of particles like black carbon and soot that absorb sunlight and heat the air; and gases such as ozone which enhance the greenhouse effect of CO2. Globally however, brown clouds may be countering or ‘masking’ the warming impacts of climate change by between 20 and up to 80 per cent the researchers suggest. This is because of particles such as sulphates and some organics which reflect sunlight and cool the surface. The cloud is also having impacts on air quality and agriculture in Asia increasing risks to human health and food production for three billion people. Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said: ‘One of UNEP’s central mandates is science-based early warning of serious and significant environmental challenges. I expect the Atmospheric Brown Cloud to be now firmly on the international community’s radar as a result of today’s report’. The phenomenon has been most intensively studied over Asia. This is in part because of the region’s already highly variable climate, including the formation of the annual monsoon, and the fact that the region is home to around half the world’s population and is undergoing massive growth. But the scientists today made clear that there are also brown clouds elsewhere, including over parts of North

America, Europe, Southern Africa and the Amazon Basin which also require urgent and detailed research. ‘Combating rising CO2 levels and climate change is the challenge of this generation, but it is also the best bet the world has for Green Growth, including new jobs and new enterprises from a booming solar and wind industry to more fuel efficient vehicles, homes and workplaces. Developed countries must not only act first but also assist developing economies with the finance and clean technology needed to green energy generation and economic growth,’ said Mr Steiner. ‘In doing so, they can not only lift the threat of climate change but also turn off the soot- stream that is feeding the formation of atmospheric brown clouds in many of the world’s regions. This is because the source of greenhouse gases and soot are often one and the same—unsustainable burning of fossil fuels, inefficient combustion of biomass and deforestation,’ he added. Professor Veerabhadran Ramanathan, head of the UNEP scientific panel which is carrying out the research said: ‘I would like to pay tribute to my distinguished colleagues, drawn from universities and research centres in Asia including China, India, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Thailand as well as Europe and the United States.’ ‘Our preliminary assessment, published in 2002, triggered a great deal of awareness but also scepticism. That has often been the initial reaction to new, novel and far reaching, counterintuitive scientific research,’ he said. ‘We believe today’s report brings ever more clarity to the ABC phenomena and in doing so must trigger an international response—one that tackles the twin threats of greenhouse gases and brown clouds and the unsustainable development that underpins both,’ added Professor Ramanathan who is based at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, California. ‘One of the most serious problems highlighted in the report is the documented retreat of the Hindu KushHimalayan-Tibetan glaciers, which provide the headwaters for most Asian rivers, and thus have serious implications for the water and food security of Asia,’ he said. ‘The new research, by identifying some of the causal factors, offers hope for taking actions to slow down this disturbing phenomenon; it should be cau-

Energy Management News 9 tioned that significant uncertainty remains in our understanding of the complexity of the regional effects of ABCs and more surprises may await us,’ added Professor Ramanathan. Five regional hotspots for ABCs have been identified. These are: • East Asia, covering eastern China; • The Indo-Gangetic plains in South Asia from the northwest and northeast regions of eastern Pakistan across India to Bangladesh and Myanmar; • Southeast Asia, covering Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam; • Southern Africa extending southwards from sub-Saharan Africa into Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe; and • The Amazon basin in South America. There are hotspots too in North America over the eastern seaboard and in Europe—but winter precipitation tends to remove them and reduce their impact. CITIES AND ‘DIMMING’ Around 13 megacities have so far been identified as ABC hotpots. Bangkok, Beijing, Cairo, Dhaka, Karachi, Kolkata, Lagos, Mumbai, New Delhi, Seoul, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Tehran where soot levels are 10 per cent of the total mass of all humanmade particles. ABCs can reduce sunlight hitting the Earth’s surface in two ways. Some of the particles such as sulphates, linked with burning coal and other fossil fuels, reflect and scatter rays back into space. Others, also linked with fossil fuel and biomass burning, in particular black carbon in soot, absorb sunlight before it reaches the ground. The overall effect is to make ‘hot spot’ cities darker or dimmer. ‘Dimming’ of between 10-25 per cent is occurring over cities such as Karachi, Beijing, Shanghai and New Delhi. Guangzhou is among several cities that have recorded a more than 20 per cent reduction in sunlight since the 1970s. For India as a whole, the dimming trend has been running at about two per cent per decade between 1960 and 2000 – more than doubling between 1980 and 2004. ‘In China the observed dimming trend from the 1950s to the 1990s was about 3-4 per cent per decade, with the larger trends after the 1970s,’ says the report.

IMPACT ON CLOUD FORMATION AND A FURTHER DIMMING EFFECT Regions with large concentrations of ABCs may be getting cloudier which can also contribute to dimming but data is not sufficient to quantify this effect. Particles and aerosols in the ABCs may act to inhibit the formation of rain drops and rainfall. ‘The net effect is an extension of cloud life-times,’ says the report. ABCs shield the surface from sunlight by reflecting solar radiation back to space and by absorbing heat in the atmosphere. These two dimming phenomena can act to artificially cool the Earth’s surface especially during dry seasons. The pollution can also be transported around the world via winds in the upper troposphere (above 5 km in altitude). As a result global temperature rises – linked with greenhouse gas emissions – may currently be between 20 per cent and 80 per cent less as a result of brown clouds around the world says the report. If brown clouds were eliminated overnight, this could trigger a rapid global temperature rise of as much as to 2 degrees C. Added to the 0.75 degrees C rise of the 20th century, this could push global temperatures well above 2 degrees C – considered by many scientists to be a crucial and dangerous threshold. Thus, simply tackling the pollution linked with brown cloud formation without simultaneously delivering big cuts in greenhouse gases could have a potentially disastrous effect. COMPLEX REGIONAL IMPACTS ON TEMPERATURE The science of ABCs, woven with the science of greenhouse gases, is not simple and may be behind some highly complex warming and cooling patterns witnessed on continents and in different regions of specific countries. The masking of greenhouse warming by ABCs may in part be the explanation for the lack of a strong warming trend over India since the 1950s – during the dry season which runs from January to May. ABCs may explain in part why the warming trend in India’s night-time temperatures is much larger than the trend in daytime temperatures. Annual mean temperatures in mainland China have risen by over one degree C in the past half century. However, the trends have not been uniform with the Tibetan Plateau and the north, northeast and northwest of China experiencing the highest temperature rises.

Conversely southwest and central eastern China has experienced a strong cooling trend of between 0.1 to 0.3 degrees C per decade. ‘The combined effects of greenhouse gases, ABCs and rapid urbanization are required to explain the complex pattern of warming and cooling trends in China,’ says the report. IMPACTS ON WEATHER PATTERNS INCLUDING THE EAST ASIAN MONSOON The large heating and cooling effects of ABCs respectively in the atmosphere and at the surface, combined with the impacts of greenhouse gases, may be also triggering sharp shifts in weather patterns. This is being aggravated by dimming over the Northern Indian Ocean versus the relatively clean Southern Indian Ocean setting up new gradients in surface sea temperatures and surface sea evaporation rates. ABCs, along with the global warming may thus be acting to trigger significant drying in northern China and increased risk of flooding in southern China while in part also triggering other environmental and economic effects. Overall decrease in monsoon precipitation over India and Southeast Asia has been by between five and seven per cent since the 1950s. Since the 1950s the Indian summer monsoon is not only weakening but shrinking with a decrease in early and late season rainfall and a decline in the number of rainy days. In both China and India extreme rain events of more than 100 mm a day have increased. In both India and China very heavy rainfall of more than 150 mm a day has nearly doubled. IMPACT ON GLACIERS The Hindu Kush-Himalaya-Tibetan glaciers provide the headwaters for the major river systems including the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Mekong and Yangtze rivers. The Ganges basin is home to over 400 million people and holds 40 per cent of India’s irrigated croplands. The Chinese Academy of Sciences estimates that the glaciers have shrunk 5 per cent since the 1950s and the volume of China’s nearly 47 000 glaciers has fallen by 3000 square km over the past quarter century. Glaciers in India such as the Siachen, Gangotri and Chhota Shigiri glaciers are retreating at rates of between 10 and 25 metres a year. The retreat has accelerated in the

10 Energy Management News past three and-a-half decades. The Gangotri glacier alone provides up to 70 per cent of the water in the Ganges. ABC solar heating of the atmosphere, due to the absorption of soot and black carbon pollution ‘is suggested to be as important as greenhouse gas warming in accounting for the anomalously large warming trend observed in the elevated regions’ such as the Himalayan-Tibetan region says the report. Decreased reflection of solar radiation by snow and ice due to increasing deposits of black carbon is emerging as another major contributor to the melting of ice and snow. Elevated regions of the Himalayas within 100 km of Mount Everest experience large black carbon concentrations ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand nanogrammes per cubic metre. IMPACTS ON AGRICULTURE Impacts of ABCs on food production and farmers’ livelihoods may be many. However, there remains a great deal more research to undertake in terms of crops at risk and the precise role various ABC-linked effects – separately or in combination with those of greenhouse gases – may or may not be having. Possible effects may include damage to crops as a result of increased ground level ozone. In Europe a threshold concentration at which damage can occur is deemed to be 40 parts per billion. The report says that in parts of Asia ground level ozone can reach 50 parts per billion during February to June, and peaking again between September and November at 40 parts per billion. The studies suggest that growing season mean ozone concentrations in the range 30 – 45 parts per billion could see crop yield losses in the region of 10 – 40 per cent for sensitive cultivars of important Asian crops such as wheat rice and legumes. A recent study translated such impacts on yield into annual economic losses estimating that for four key crops – wheat, rice, corn and soya beans – these may amount to around $5 billion a year across China, the Republic of Korea and Japan. Other effects may include damage linked with the various acidic and toxic particles from brown clouds depositing on plants from the atmosphere. There are also reduced levels of photosynthesis and thus crop production due to ‘dimming’.

HEALTH IMPACTS OF ABCS Brown clouds contain a variety of toxic aerosols, carcinogens and particles including particulate matter (PM) of less than 2.5 microns in width. These have been linked with a variety of health effects from respiratory disease and cardio-vascular problems. Outdoor exposure: Increases in concentrations of PM 2.5 of 20 microgrammes per cubic metre could lead to about 340 000 excess deaths per year in China and India Indoor exposure: the World Health Organization estimates that over 780 000 deaths in the two countries can be linked to solid fuel use in the home. Economic losses due to outdoor exposure to ABC-related PM2.5 has been crudely estimated at 3.6 per cent of GDP in China and 2.2 per cent of GDP in India Project Atmospheric Brown Cloud was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2002 following the documentation of brown clouds and haze by the Indian Ocean Experiment (INDOEX). The science secretariat of ABC is located at the Centre for Clouds, Chemistry and Climate, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD. The current project is funded by UNEP with support from the governments of Italy, Sweden and the United States. G Contact: Nick Nuttall, UNEP Spokesperson/ Head of Media Tel: +254 (0) 733 632755 Mobile: +41 79 596 57 37 E-mail: [email protected]

Anne-France White, UNEP Associate Information Officer Tel: +254 (0)20 762 3088 Mobile: +254 (0)728 600 494 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.unep.org

Concerns about climate change hit home

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7% of South Africans have expressed their concern about climate change, according to a global survey conducted by BBC World News and Synovate, the market research arm of Aegis Group plc. This is 5% higher than the global average of 72% across all markets surveyed. Revealing the world’s view on climate change, BBC World News and Synovate surveyed 22 markets on six continents in 2007 and 2008. Each of the topics investigated are linked to the global news agenda of international news channel BBC World programming. Concerns about climate change have increased across all markets with the overall figure increasing from 68% in 2007 to 72% in 2008. While South Africans were not as worried as they were last year (82%), they are still 5% above the global average.Jeremy Nye, Head of Audience Insight at BBC World News says, ‘These results reflect what our audiences have been telling us with regard to their levels of concern about global warming. In nearly all markets, citizens believe it is up to ordinary people to change their behaviour; the way in which global issues and personal behaviour are intertwined explains the increasing relevance of international news. BBC World News has commissioned a number of programmes, including What a Waste and Nature Inc., which are currently being broadcast on the channel to satisfy their interest and curiosity.’

Energy Management News 11

OWNING UP TO THE CAUSE South Africans are not only showing more concern about climate change but are now taking more ownership of the factors which cause it. Twenty-seven percent (27%) of South Africans rated ‘human causes’ as the factor most responsible for causing climate change. This is a significant shift in mind-set compared to 2007 when only 14% of South Africans said that humans are to blame. Second to this was ‘pollution’ (23%), another consequence of human neglect. If human cause is chiefly to blame, then what are we doing about it?When asked what they had done in the last year to personally reduce the effects of climate change, 89% of South Africans said that they have reduced their power usage. However, this could also be related to the nation’s reaction to the power supply shortages which they have experienced during the year. Notably more (11%) of South Africans are also taking more of an active interest, with 69% saying that they have informed themselves about climate change. Furthermore, 80% of South Africans said that they had reduced their water usage. DANGEROUS CHANGES Across the globe, 26% felt that erratic weather conditions would be the main danger of climate change. Last year, this was also the most feared threat of climate change across all the markets survey but this year the score increased by 5%. What do South Africans fear most about climate change? The majority of South Africans also felt that erratic weather conditions were the most dangerous threat, while 15% said flooding and 11% said that drought is the main threat. WHO’S TO BLAME? Of those South Africans who thought that there was one country most responsible for the climate changes on Earth, 44% said that is was the USA. Most interestingly, 17% blamed their own country. This, again, seems to show that people are taking ownership of the damage being done and moving away from an attitude of escapism. In third place, 13% of South Africans said that China was solely to

blame for climate change on Earth. In the USA we find a similar sense of ownership, with the majority of its citizens also nominating their own country as the most responsible for climate change at 74%. However, this is a drop down from 82% in 2007. A CLIMATE FOR CHANGE In a new question for 2008, respondents were asked ‘In terms of tackling climate change within your country, do you think it will be fixed most by changed behaviour of ordinary citizens, technical break-throughs or Government-imposed restrictions and incentives?’ Forty-five percent (45%) of people across all the markets surveyed, said that the changed behaviour of ordinary citizens would be most effective in talking climate change. Twentynine percent (29%) chose Government-imposed restrictions and incentives, with 20% siding with technical break-throughs as a solution. ‘Government-imposed restrictions and incentives’ received 44% of the vote from South Africans, followed by ‘the changed behaviour of ordinary citizens’ (34%). 9% of South Africans felt that technical break-throughs would be the solution. Whilst technology and imposed restrictions are supported, there is a clear voice from the people saying ‘It’s up to me’. A consciousness of climate change, it causes, its effects and our position in this relationship has hit home strongly. CURIOSITIES • Inhabitants of Spain and Brazil appear to be most worried about climate change at 88% and 86% respectively. • USA citizens showed the highest increase in concern between this year and the last (57%, up to 80%). • The USA received the highest score for being the country which is solely responsible for climate change (down to 61%, from 66% in 2007), followed by China (up to 18%, from 14% in 2007). • Globally, ‘human causes’ (27%) came out as the factor most responsible for causing climate change. Second to this was ‘pollution’ (20%) another consequence of human neglect.

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Over the past year, in an attempt to reduce the effects of climate change, participants have saved power (81% have done so, up from 76% in 2007), recycled waste (70%, up from 65%), reduced water consumption (69%, up from 65%), reduced the use of packaging and bags (68%, up from 56%), bought green products (61%, up from 53%), bought energy-efficient devices (59%, up from 53%) and informed themselves about climate change (58%, up from 46%).

With acknowledgements to Bizcommunity.com

G Websites: www.synovate.com and www.synovate.co.za

12 Energy Management News

Delay of 2c/kWh levy on fossil fuel power generation

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arthlife Africa Johannesburg is disappointed that the Minister of Finance, Trevor Manuel, is delaying the introduction of the 2c/kWh levy on electricity generation from non-renewable sources. This levy is vital to begin accounting for the externalised costs of energy-generation in South Africa, and shouldn’t have been delayed. As South Africa produces the vast majority of its electricity from coal-fired power stations, it produces significant pollution from those power stations. According to Eskom, vast amounts of CO2 (209Mt), SO2 (1875kt), N20 (207kt) and NO2 (930kt) are produced each year from its power stations. All of these pollutants cost the South African economy through increased global temperature rises, decreased air quality and resulting increases in respiratory illnesses, and the ecological and agricultural damage from acid rain. These externalised costs are paid, ultimately, by Treasury in one manner or another. Treasury needs to recoup these costs from the producers, and the 2c/kWh is a start to internalising these externalised costs. This levy and carbon taxation are important interventions in the energy market to ensure the correct cost of producing electricity in South Africa; the current pricing strategy, by not accounting for these costs, grossly mis-prices electricity. Earthlife Africa Johannesburg seriously hopes that this delay does not prove permanent or marks the beginning of another Manuel u-turn, such as the proposed SASOL windfall tax. If there is a positive from this announcement, it is that Minister Manuel has the time to consider pro-poor measures that will offset the effect of the levy on poor people. Any increase in energy costs affects poor people disproportionately, and the levy needs to be combined with poverty alleviation measures. These measures include low food prices (increasing zero VAT ratings to include additional food items), social grants, and major expansion of the free basic allocation of electricity. With financial mechanisms such as levies on non-renewable forms of electricity generation and carbon taxation on major producers of CO2 (SASOL and Eskom), these pro-poor measures are financially possible. G Contact: Tristen Taylor Energy Policy Officer Earthlife Africa Johannesburg Tel: +27 11 339 3662 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.earthlife.org.za

GTZ funds position on biofuels and bioenergy in SADC

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r Geoff Stiles has taken up a position in Gaborone, Botswana, as Advisor on Biofuels and Bioenergy to the SADC Energy Sector, having left Marbek Resource Consultants. The position is funded by GTZ, the German technical assistance organisation, and provides Dr Stiles with a unique opportunity to assist the regional body in formulating a framework for sustainable biofuels development. Dr Stiles’s employment contract with GTZ began on the 17th of November, and is likely to continue for up to two years. His immediate employer will be the Programme for Basic Energy and Conservation (PROBEC) who are based in Johannesburg. He will also be assisting PROBEC (and hopefully SADC) in developing a strategy for the use of carbon finance in their work, so he will not be leaving the CDM business altogether. Marbek Resource Consultants will continue to operate in South Africa and the region as a consultancy specialising in policy and technical services in energy efficiency, renewable energy and carbon financing. The exact nature of the transition to new managers and shareholders is still being determined and will probably not be finalised until early in the new year. Dr Stiles will be maintaining his ties with South Africa and will be travelling frequently to Johannesburg to liaise with PROBEC and to carry out his mandate with SADC. He will continue to work together towards creating a low-carbon economy in Southern Africa. G Contact: Dr Geoff Stiles GTZ E-mails: [email protected] and [email protected]

Energy Management News 13

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March for free basic and clean electricity

n the 30th of October 2008, Earthlife Africa Johannesburg and the Anti-Privatisation Forum marched on the Department of Minerals & Energy, Eskom, and the City of Johannesburg. Communities across Gauteng were protesting to demand a decent, meaningful Free Basic Allocation of electricity and for increased generation of electricity from renewable resources. The issues at hand are pressing for poor communities and the wider nation at large. Many poor households remain unconnected to the electricity grid, or unable to afford electricity entirely, leading them instead to use fuel-wood, coal, and paraffin as their primary energy carriers. Many others suffer varying frequencies of disconnection due to their inability to afford the entire amount charged for electricity, although most are able to pay at least some on a regular basis. Poor households who are connected to the grid spend a staggering proportion of their income on electricity relative to more wealthy consumers. The poorest 20% of households spend about 5% of their average R500 a month income on electricity, when they remain connected, compared to the richest 20%, who pay about 1.6% of their average R30 000 per month income. This is despite the fact that the poorest quintile uses about 1/40th the amount of electricity as the richest quintile. Combined with the constant threat of disconnection, affordability of access will only become a greater problem as Eskom seeks to raise tariffs to fund its new investment programme. South Africa’s poor already suffer from an epidemic of disconnection due to inability to pay tariffs prior to 2007/2008 tariff increases: Despite the Government and Eskom’s repeated boasts about electrification, 30% of South Africans are still without electricity. Of the 70% who do have electricity, many poor users suffer from disconnection. The independent researcher David McDonald has calculated that

there were two million disconnections by 2002. Furthermore, users of prepaid meters disconnect themselves (due to lack of funds to feed the meter), thus transferring the onus of disconnection from the state to the citizenry. Currently, prepaid users pay more for electricity than any other user of electricity outside of deep, rural areas. The poor pay the most per kilowatt-hour; people in Sandton pay less per unit than people in Soweto. Currently, DME’s Draft Electricity Pricing Policy is heading towards Parliament. This Policy was mean higher electricity prices, greater deregulation in the electricity sector, no meaningful investment in renewable technologies, and an insulting and paltry free allocation of 50kWh per household. This is less than certain municipalities are currently offering, and takes no regard to the size of households. With eight people in a household, 50kWh wouldn’t last a week. Furthermore, this ‘free’ electricity will be means-tested (with huge administration costs), require the installation of a prepaid meter, and will be limited to a 20A connection, instead of the normal 60A connection. This means that poor users may be able to heat water but not cook or vice versa. This is completely inadequate and will only prolong the misery of millions of poor South Africans. The Policy also makes for no meaningful investment in renewable technologies, which will be, in the next decades, cheaper options than coal: The latest research into pricing of electricity in the South African context clearly demonstrates the superiority of renewables. The current cost of generating electricity from new coal-fired stations (such as Medupi) is R0.25/kWh, set to rise to R0.36/kWh by 2020. The cost of solar thermal is currently at R0.40/kWh, and is set to decline to R0.25/kwh by 2020. The cost of wind is presently R0.49/kWh and will fall to R0.29/kWh in 2020. Solar thermal technology can provide base-load power,

making it a viable alternative to coal, and there is no real limit to its usage in South Africa. Please note that the costs for coal cited above exclude the externalised costs of burning coal; i.e. the costs of health and environmental damage from SOX and NOX emissions. This would double the economic costs. These figures also exclude recent commodity price increases; they are the most conservative fossil fuel costs available. Oddly enough, DME’s Electricity Policy directly contradicts the LongTerm Mitigation Scenarios (approved in June 2008) that calls for 50% of all electricity to come from renewable resources by 2050. Eskom is also ignoring this policy with its building of new coal-fired power stations. The Anti-Privatisation Forum and Earthlife Africa Johannesburg therefore demand: 1. A free basic allocation of 100kWh per person per month, and with a corresponding step-block tariff. The People’s Budget Campaign has consistently called for these. 2. The end of the prepaid metering system. 3. Massive investment in renewable technologies. We do not see nuclear power as a safe, cost-effective alternative to coal, and no nuclear plants should be built in South Africa.4. The DME should withdraw its Draft Electricity Pricing Policy in its entirety. A progressive policy should be written with a humane basic allocation of electricity as its starting point, not the maximisation of Eskom profits, which stood at nearly R1 billion last year. G Contact: Tristen Taylor Energy Policy Officer Earthlife Africa Johannesburg Tel: +27 11 339 3662 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.earthlife.org.za

14 Energy Management News

Energy Indicators for Sustainable Development IAEA WORKSHOP HELD AT THE VIENNA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE, VIENNA 24 – 28 NOVEMBER /2008

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ustainable Energy Development is defined as ‘…development that lasts and this is supported by an economically profitable, socially responsive and environmentally responsible energy sector with a global, long-term vision’ (IEA, 2001). A workshop was hosted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with the aim of equipping member states with tools to conduct Integrated Energy Planning (IEP). There were delegates in attendance from a diverse range of countries including Latin America, Eastern Europe, South and Southeast Asia, and Africa. South Africa was represented by Mthokozisi Mpofu (Electricity Policy and Regulation, DME) and Stephen Davis (Energy Research Centre, UCT). The main focus of the workshop was on the use of Indicators for IEP. The training was neutral with regard to energy technology, with the main focus being on the use of indicators for building scenarios and informing policies on sustainable energy development. In addition to presentations by IAEA staff, there were panel discussions, and each country’s delegates were assigned an exercise to put the methodology into practice, with delegate presentations concluding the workshop. The IAEA’s intention in holding this workshop is to equip member states to build capacities in developing strategies for sustainable energy development, evaluating energy-economicenvironmental applications, and assessing the potential contribution of nuclear energy in securing affordable and clean supplies of energy. The Indicators for Sustainable Energy Development (ISED) are part of the IAEA’s suite analytical tools for integrated energy planning. Others include MAED, WASP, MESSAGE, FINPLAN and SIMPACTS.

IEP DEFINED What is Integrated Energy Planning (IEP)? It is quantitative modelling for sustainable development insights. Uses of IEP: • Appraising the role of technologies, contracts and investment options • Appraising and quantifying the effects of different policy options • Scenario and policy development • Scope can vary significantly (i.e. part of an energy system – e.g. electricity, the entire energy system, interactions with other systems and the economy. There is a need when conducting

IEP to distinguish the policy, following the strategy (‘how to’) and then plan. Policy is devised to implement a strategy which is based on a plan. The process is iterative and there is no absolute or correct starting point. USING ISED FOR IEP The use of the indicators does not depend on the use of a particular energy modelling tool, however, any of the currently available modelling tools can be invoked for building indicator trajectories for scenario planning. The workshop was aimed at improving the use of indicators in devising policy and conducting energy planning and policy analysis. The indicators themselves fall (generally) under the 3 pillars of sustainable development: Social, Environmental and Economic. Under each pillar there are main themes and sub-themes with suggested data for each sub-theme indicator. Historically, various organisations have put forward sets of indicators that are of a very general nature and can be customised for specific countries and for specific planning purposes. The United Nations/Indicators for Sustainable Development (UN/ISD) package consists of 58 indicators classified into four dimensions (Social, Economic, Environmental and Institutional) consisting of 15 themes and 28 subthemes. The ISD is a general framework for sustainable development while the IAEA has developed a separate set based on similar principles but with a specific focus on energy. The IAEA’s package consists of the first 3 of the above dimensions and 30 indicators (7 themes and 19 sub-themes). Although the number of potential indicators is large, only a few of the indicators need to be selected for any particular planning exercise. The selected indicators can be used to identify trends and then – importantly – be used to understand the possible trade-offs that can take place between the social, economic and environmental considerations. Selecting the indicators, and building the scenarios is something of an art, with an emphasis on using a succinct set of relevant indicators to be of use to decision or policy-makers. A few key indicators will be required, and the temptation to include too much detail should be avoided. The focus of any exercise in IEP should be confined to energy-related development, and not to other socio-

Energy Management News 15 economic or environmental development – though these will certainly impact the choice of indicators and types of scenarios that are considered. During the workshop, participants were given the opportunity to develop energy indicators for their own countries. The generic methodology relies on building a historical panel of a small number of selected indicators. The choice of indicators will largely depend on the key energy planning challenges facing the country, and also on the available data for calculating the various indicators. Once a historical trend has been devised, the trends can be used to illustrate the historical and current energy sustainability for a country. Then the probable business as usual scenario can be constructed, and alternative scenarios for sustainable development into the future can be suggested and illustrated using the indices. ISED is used to provide a deep understanding of the main issues in providing clean and affordable energy services. It also highlights the important relationships between energy for development and environmental protection, and is an essential tool for monitoring energy sustainability issues for policy makers and the public. WHY ISED? Indicators for Sustainable Development have the following characteristics and associated uses: • Flexible paradigm depending on priorities and goals e.g. alignment between national and regional priorities • Important relations that are not evident using basic statistics can be highlighted • Able to measure progress towards sustainable energy future • Morality/subjectivity is removed • Status of energy issues can be assessed • Impacts of current energy policies can be evaluated • Prospective energy policies can be formulated. SUMMARY OF USES OF ISED • Statistical tools for national policy analysis • Illustrate trends and changes over time • Applying a flexible, systematic logic to environmental questions, technology assessment, and policy and resource administration • Management tools for decision

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making, tracking policy needs and effectiveness Not for international benchmarking or international comparisons of for pass-fail situations

STATISTICAL REQUIREMENTS Statistical requirements of IEP must be within national capabilities and data constraints, however, the absence of important data will need to be addressed when essential data for calculating indicators is not available. Potential data sources include energy statistics, economic data, demographic data, environmental statistical data or assessments, household surveys, industrial surveys, and metadata (verbal descriptions of the data sources). This data may be obtained from official national statistics; sectoral statistics; surveys; estimates based on research methods. The skills required for IEP include maths, science, engineering, and economics proficiency; facilitation and coordination skills; knowledge management and skills retention. Some of the challenges of calculating indicators include incomplete data or data of a poor quality which is out of data or not timeously available. Factors influencing data availability include liberalisation, new developments, unbundling of markets, confidentiality, low priority, staff turnover, and absence of continuity. ISED can be calculated for past, present and future (the latter using results of planning studies). Users of the indicators should see indicators as tools, and not answers. Figures should be calculated based on reality checks (and viewed with a critical eye): • Has there been a quantum leap from past trends? • Are the values consistent with available resources? • Are values contradictory? • Are values consistent? Note that appropriate indicators are chosen by consideration of whether appropriate trade-offs can be captured between the three dimensions of sustainability. CONCLUSION Key learning that emerged from the workshop includes the following: • ISED is an extremely valuable and essential tool for IEP • Indicators are used to build a story upon which alternatives and solu-

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tions to the business as usual scenario can be suggested The derived indicators can be used to provide decision makers with a set of options and associated set of likely outcomes with a succinct view of the probable future Allow the indicators to tell the story Be critical of any indicators that are derived, and question the source of data and relevance to the exercise.

G Contact: Stephen Davis Energy Research Centre University of Cape Town E-mail: [email protected]

16 Energy Management News

Establishment of International Renewable Energy Agency

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he Madrid preparatory conference attended by 51 Governments agreed on the Statutes of an International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). IRENA will promote the utilisation of renewable energy such as wind energy by providing accurate information about these key technologies. The signing of the founding treaty is scheduled for 26 January 2009 in Bonn, Germany. The WWEA welcomes these steps as overdue in order to balance the international debate which is still dominated too much by the vested interests of the opponents of renewable energy downplaying the renewable energy potentials and benefits. The WWEA President Dr Anil Kane: ‘Renewable energies are the key to the current three global crises: to the energy crisis by securing access to affordable domestic energy everywhere, the climate crisis by providing emissionfree energy and the finance crisis by offering low- risk investment opportuni-

Zoom Advertising help turn tourism green

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s the first advertising agency in South Africa to become carbon neutral when it planted hundreds of trees to offset its own carbon impact, Zoom Advertising has now embarked on a campaign that will turn the local tourism industry green. The initiative is called ‘My tree in Africa’ and gives travellers the opportunity to make a valid contribution to help the environment. The brainchild of Zoom’s Creative Director, Deon Robbertze, the initiative is simple to grasp, simple to implement. Every R80 collected will pay for the planting of a tree in Africa and Zoom will partner with Food and Trees for Africa, to plant the trees in disadvantaged communities. ‘Through this’, Robbertze explains, ‘travellers will be invited to pay a small amount extra on their tickets to offset the impact of their travel.

ties. For many years, the WWEA has been demanding the establishment of IRENA as a government agency in order to accelerate renewable energy deployment worldwide. The world urgently needs such an independent international authority providing unbiased information about renewable energy. We are very glad that such a breakthrough has now been achieved and congratulate the involved governments on the progress. At the same time, we expect that IRENA will closely cooperate with the renewable energy sector worldwide. The WWEA offers its full support and expertise from those practitioners that actually apply wind technology.’ WWEA Secretary General Stefan Gsänger: ‘The wind sector worldwide saw in the past ten years average annual growth rates of 30%, reaching today a total installed capacity of more than 110 000 MW and employing worldwide already more than 400 000 people. It has the potential of becoming ‘SA Tourism recently stated that we need to do something about the carbon footprint overseas visitors make when they visit our country. ‘My tree in Africa’ is a solution. With 2010 looming, we need to promote South Africa as environmentally responsible, because many of these visitors will be greenaware.’ So far, Zoom has already signed up Giltedge. Giltedge had been investigating options to link with a suitable environmental programme and jumped at the chance to get on board with the ‘My tree in Africa’ campaign. Giltedge is now presenting the concept to all its business partners, agents and associates throughout the world and is issuing a newsletter to its regular customers to sign them up to the idea and get the green ball rolling. Gaining momentum by the day, Zoom has just signed up Travel Smart, to the ‘My Tree in Africa’ campaign. Travel Smart – which is a group of companies, of which Giltedge Travel is one member – has gone one step further and stated it will also make its own organisation carbon neutral. Zoom is also busy talking to gov-

the world’s largest industry, bigger than the car industry today. 75 % of the total wind capacity is at the moment still concentrated in six countries: Germany, USA, Spain, India, China and Denmark. One key task for IRENA will be to transfer the know-how from these leading countries to all other countries so that they can also start implementing wind power utilisation on a large scale and benefit from its advantages immediately. We cannot afford any further delay in shifting towards worldwide energy supply fully based on renewable energy. IRENA will be a decisive step forward.’

G Contact: Stefan Gsänger Secretary General World Wind Energy Association Charles de Gaulle Str. 5 53113 Bonn Germany Tel: +49 228 369 4080 Fax: +49 228 369 4084 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.wwindea.org

ernment and more major tourism organisations about joining the ‘My Tree in Africa’ campaign so that the South African tourism industry can be united in one effort to offset its negative impacts on the global environment. Zoom’s Managing Director, Steve Massey adds: ‘Zoom promotes sustainable marketing because, in the future, more and more consumers will only buy brands that act responsibly in the environment, socially and economically. We are urging our clients and associates to think green, to be responsible and to take the lead with campaigns such as the ‘My Tree in Africa’ initiative so that we can bring about effective change and make a positive difference.’ Zoom has also been invited to handle all the marketing and be the lead agency for the 2009 Green Marketing Conference. With acknowledgements to Bizcommunity.com

G Websites: www.bizcommunity.com www.trees.co.za www.travel-smart.co.za

New IIED papers on climate change

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he International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) has published some 4-page briefing / 2-page opinion papers on climate change. These are free as downloads. 1. AGAINST THE TIDE: CLIMATE CHANGE AND HIGH-RISK CITIES In the world’s poorest and most vulnerable nations, most cities and towns face a distinct dual pressure: rapidly growing population and high vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. Drought, storms, flooding and sea level rise are likely to hit hardest here. These in turn put water supplies, infrastructure, health and livelihoods at risk in the very cities already struggling to provide or safeguard such key needs. An effective response demands capable local and national government and support from strong international networks in building capacity to cope. Most of the Least Developed Countries lack both. • www.iied.org/pubs/pdfs/17042IIED.pdf 2. TAKING STEPS: MAINSTREAMING NATIONAL ADAPTATION Climate change poses a massive threat to development. The poorest populations of poor countries – the Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States, and the nations of Africa – face the concentrated challenge of tackling the worst of the impacts with the least capacity to do so. Clearly, adaptation to climate impacts must be seamlessly integrated into any development planning and policy. This four-step plan for mainstreaming climate change aims to fulfil that need. A ‘learning by doing’ approach, it focuses first on national capacity to ensure that development in all sectors and at all levels is effectively climate-proofed. • www.iied.org/pubs/pdfs/17040IIED.pdf

Energy Management News 17 3. ADAPTATION FUNDING AND DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE: SOME FAQS It’s becoming ever clearer that development and climate change are intertwined issues. Unsustainable development drives climate change; sustainable development can reduce vulnerability to it. Development issues can constrain capacity to adapt to climate change; climate impacts can be a barrier to development. So adaptation to climate impacts is increasingly seen as part of good development practice – and development to improve the lives and resource access of people facing climate challenges is viewed as a prerequisite for successful adaptation. But when it comes to adaptation funding, confusion and contention remain over the role development institutions play. • www.iied.org/pubs/pdfs/17041IIED.pdf 4. BUILDING RESILIENCE: HOW THE URBAN POOR CAN DRIVE CLIMATE ADAPTATION Adaptation – preparing for and coping with climate impacts – is now a key issue in climate negotiations. This is real progress from a decade ago, when mitigation alone dominated the climate agenda. But adaptation itself needs to move on. The 900 million urban dwellers living in poverty worldwide will likely be among the worst affected by climate change, yet they hardly feature in adaptation policies and practices. These people, most living in the world’s poorer countries, urgently need efficient, cost-effective solutions. Community-based adaption is one. Now widely used in rural areas, CBA allows local people to identify and address adaptation issues, building a lasting legacy of skills and ownership. But for CBA to work in urban areas, adaptation funding needs to reach the grassroots organisations and city governments that will initiate and deliver it. • www.iied.org/pubs/pdfs/17043IIED.pdf G Contact: Mike Shanahan Press officer International Institute for Environment and Development 3 Endsleigh Street London WC1H 0DD Tel: 44 (0) 207 388 2117 Fax: 44 (0) 207 388 2826 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.iied.org

Eskom not in a position to invest in nuclear

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he Board of Eskom Holding Limited announced on 5 December its decision not to proceed with the proposed investment in Nuclear-1 project due to the magnitude of the investment. The proposed Nuclear 1 project would have resulted in the construction of the country’s second pressurized water reactor nuclear power plant. Koeberg Power Station is South Africa’s first and only nuclear power station. The Eskom Board has, as a result, terminated the commercial procurement process to select the preferred bidder for the construction of the Nuclear-1 project. The two bidders, the EPR consortium led by Areva of France and the N-Powerment consortium led by Westinghouse of the USA, have been informed of this decision of the Eskom Board. ‘The Board has expressed its appreciation to the two bidders for their interest in the Eskom build programme, and in particular their desire to participate in the nuclear industry in South Africa. We were impressed by their professionalism throughout the bid process. We thank them for their patience and understanding during the past few months’, says Mr Jacob Maroga, Chief Executive of Eskom Holdings Limited. G Website: www.eskom.co.za/live/

content.php?Item_ID=8800

18 Energy Management News

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Green energy on billboards

NM Outdoor and Nedbank are flying solar! INM Outdoor (formerly Clear Channel Independent) is partnering with Nedbank to provide solar power to numerous advertising signs throughout the country on which Nedbank advertise. This initiative forms part of Nedbank Group’s environmental strategy. Nedbank Group is committed to managing environmental issues and aims at continuous improvement in its environmental management and performance. Although financial institutions are not clearly identified with environmental management in South Africa, the Nedbank Group has a long history of promoting environmental responsibility. Bazil Lauryssen, MD of INM Outdoor, comments, ‘We recognise that our corporate responsibility is to minimise the potential for causing harm to the environment in all aspects of our activities. To this end, we have developed a Green Policy which includes initiatives driving energy efficiency.’ ‘Every bit helps,’ continues Lauryssen. ‘Even a small solar electric system has a significant environmental impact. For example, a 2.5kW solar system reduces CO2 emissions by an amount similar to that which would occur by planting one acre of trees, or the amount of CO2 emitted by a passenger car driving 12 553 km’s per year.’ With acknowledgements to Bizcommunity.com

G Website: www.bizcommunity.com

International air travel levy could raise billions for climate change adaptation

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he International Institute for Environment and Development has published a briefing paper on how international air travel could provide a multi-billion dollar boost to countries and communities that need to adapt to climate change now. Currently, international donor funding for adaptation to climate change amounts to a tiny fraction of the tens of billions of dollars that the World Bank and Oxfam agree will be needed every year. In this paper, Muyeye Chambwera and Benito Muller, argue that an international air travel levy for adaptation could plug the gap. In summary, for the world’s poorest countries and communities, adaptation to climate change is urgently needed, but costly: estimates run into tens of billions of dollars a year. Given the shortfall in current international adaptation funding, how can resources for the developing world be raised? An adaptation levy on international air travel could help fill the gap. A small pertrip payment by passengers could contribute US$8 billion to US$10 billion a year towards adaptation. Similar schemes in France and elsewhere show that this kind of ethical solidarity and ‘polluter pays’ approach would be simple to implement in practical and institutional terms. The paper is free to download in PDF format.

G Contact: Muyeye Chambwera International Institute for Environment and Development Tel: +44 (0) 207 388 2117 E-mail: muyeye.chambwera@ iied.org Website: www.iied.org/pubs/pdfs/ 17045IIED.pdf

Energy Management News 19

Don’t blame cities for climate change, see them as solutions

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ities are being unfairly blamed for most of humanity’s greenhouse gas emissions and this threatens efforts to tackle climate change, warns a study in the October 2008 issue of the journal Environment and Urbanization. The paper says cities are often blamed for 75 to 80 percent of emissions, but that the true value is closer to 40 percent. It adds that the potential for cities to help address climate change is being overlooked because of this error. ‘Blaming cities for greenhouse gas emissions misses the point that cities are a large part of the solution,’ says the paper’s author, David Satterthwaite, a Senior Fellow at the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). ‘Well planned, well governed cities can provide high living standards that do not require high consumption levels and high greenhouse gas emissions.’ United Nations agencies, former US President Bill Clinton’s climate change initiative and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg have all stated that between 75 and 80 per cent of emissions come from cities. Satterthwaite used data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to show that only two-fifths of all greenhouse gases from human activities are generated within cities. Agriculture and deforestation account for around 30 percent, and the rest are mostly from heavy industry, wealthy households and coal, oil or gas fuelled power stations located in rural areas and in urban centres too small to be considered cities. But the paper also highlights how it can be misleading to allocate greenhouse gas emissions to places. For instance, emissions from power stations should be allocated to those that consume the electricity, not the places where the power stations are located. Emissions generated by industries should likewise be allocated to the person consuming the goods the industries produce.

‘Consumer demand drives the production of goods and services, and therefore the emission of greenhouse gases,’ says Satterthwaite. ‘Allocating emissions to consumers rather than producers shows that the problem is not cities but a minority of the world’s population with high-consumption lifestyles. A large proportion of these consumers do not in cities but in small towns and rural areas.’ In addition, allocating greenhouse gas emissions to consumers increases the share of global emissions from Europe and North America and highlights the very low emissions per person of most city inhabitants in Africa, Asia and Latin America. In general, wealthy people outside cities are responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than those in cities as they have larger homes that need to be heated or cooled, more automobiles per household and greater automobile use. ‘The way cities are designed and run can make a big difference,’ says Satterthwaite. ‘Most cities in the United States have three to five times the gasoline use per person of most European cities but not three to five times the living standards.’ Satterthwaite points out that cities offer many opportunities to reduce per capita greenhouse gas emissions, such as by promoting walking, bicycling and public transport and having building designs that require much less energy for heating and cooling. ‘Achieving the needed reductions in greenhouse gas emissions worldwide depends on seeing and acting on the potential of cities to combine a high quality of life with low greenhouse gas emissions,’ he says. G Contact: David Satterthwaite International Institute for Environment and Development Tel: +44 (0)207 388 2117 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.iied.org

20 Energy Management News

A tribute to Professor Ian E Lane

papers and reports on energy related research. PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES Dr Ian Lane was the ultimate example of a good man. He always thought and cared deeply about the wellbeing and happiness of those around him. He should serve as an example to all of us about how you should live life – always according to and guided by your principles (whatever they may be). Ian was first and foremost a family man. Nothing in the world mattered more to him than his family. I can think of nothing that would cause Ian to neglect or disappoint his family in any way. He considered a number of his business acquaintances as family, which indicate how deeply he cared for each and every one.

BY GUSTAV RADLOFF AND LJ GROBLER Pr Eng CEM B. Eng (Elec) M. Eng (Elec) D. Eng UP FSAIEE MSAIIE MSAIE 8 March 1950 – 3 November 2008

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he incredibly sad news of Prof. Ian Lane’s untimely death has left all of us in various degrees of shock, disbelief and with an acute sense of loss. This tribute provides a short summary of the incredible life he lived and value he added.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER Dr Lane started his career in 1973 where he held an engineering and management position in the South African Steel Industry for nine years. After that he was appointed as the head of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Pretoria, where he worked from 1982 to 1990. In 1992 he was appointed as Professor of Energy Systems and director for the centre of new electricity studies at the University of Pretoria. He decided to shift from the academic to the industrial sector and worked on Demand-Side Management (DSM) as a planning consultant to Eskom from 1995 to 2002. In 1998 he started his own company, Energy Cybernetics (Pty) Ltd, which focuses on process energy optimisation solutions to industry. Until 3 November 2008, Dr Lane served as a director together with his two partners and co-founding members; Prof. LJ Grobler and Gustav Radloff.

Dr Lane also served as the Executive Director of the Energy Training Foundation, a provider of training to

energy professionals in Africa. Since 1999 he has been accredited by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) in the USA to certify energy managers (CEM). In 2000 Dr Lane was appointed as the Chairman of the Energy Standards Generating Group, a group that develops standards for the assessment of energy professionals in South Africa. His position as the Chairman won’t be easily filled, as he applied his knowledge and experience that assisted this group invaluably. The South African Energy Research Institute (SANERI) appointed Dr Lane in 2007 as the research advisor on end-use of energy and infrastructure, while the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) appointed him in 2008 to chair the energy technical committee and to represent them as an energy expert on the ISO strategic advisory group. In 2008 the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) appointed Dr Lane to chair the Energy Practitioners Steering Committee (EPSC), which has the responsibility of advising the DME and the Engineering Counsel of South Africa (ECSA) on the need for special legislation for energy practitioners and the licensing of energy practitioners to perform reserved work. In the beginning of 2008, the University of Pretoria started a National Energy Efficiency and Demand-side Management Research hub. Dr Lane was appointed to serve as a member of the management board. He was the author of more than 80

Ian was a deeply religious man – his faith guided and comforted him whenever he was faced with an uphill in life. We take comfort in the fact that Ian is with his maker and is (and will be) watching over all of us going forward. Ian believed in love. He believed in loving those around him (most notably his family) – but he also truly believed in loving anybody and everybody he came into contact with. If you knew Ian, you had (in many cases without you ever realizing it) an ally who would do whatever he could to help you if you ever needed help. Ian was enthusiastic and passionate about life – I know few people who got such enjoyment out of living life. He truly enjoyed every day and made an effort to find something to get excited about. One of the most vivid memories of Ian (probably because it happened just about every day) is him literally bouncing in his chair or on his feet with excitement while telling of some new idea that he just got… Many of those ideas were (by his own admission) not necessarily practically possible or even realistic within a 5 year time span, but that never stopped Ian getting excited about them – and every now and then

Energy Management News 21 he would come up with a real gem of an idea. I am really going to miss that enthusiasm and energy! Ian was thorough and systematic. There were no quick fixes or short conversations with Ian. He would examine every aspect of an idea or plan and would think the whole thing through before making a decision. This was often disconcerting to people who did not know him well, since he would appear not to be listening, or not to be following your conversation, when in actual fact, he was already thinking through all the possibilities of what you were busy discussing with him. It was also pointless to move onto the next topic before Ian was finished processing the one you were busy with – his co-worker Frikkie recently used the analogy of a train versus a car to describe Ian’s mental process – Ian was like a train (you could not change lanes), once he was on a certain track, the only way to get him onto a different track was to let him go down the one he was on until the very end – then you could suggest a new route. While some may have found this frustrating at times, we all quickly learned that even a few minutes (of Ian’s phenomenal processing time) were incredibly valuable. Everyone who got coaching and mentoring from Ian would know that he was never satisfied with anything that was not properly ‘sanity checked’ – generally, if you were not able to arrive at the same answer via two different ways Ian would not be satisfied. This should be a key lesson to every engineer and technical person in the company – make sure the first time – and then do it again and this time, make very sure you are right, before you put something on paper to a client. There were other principles that stood out clearly like loyalty, honesty and integrity. Ian lived by all of these principles on a daily basis – and in the words of Johnny Cash ‘the happiness I’ve (he’s) known proves that its right…walk the line.’ None of us can or will ever understand why Ian was taken from us at this time. We mourn his loss and many of us will feel his absence for as long we remain on this earth. Overwhelmed by this sadness and the seemingly randomness of it all, it is easy to lose sight of the wonderful gift Ian left behind for all of us – a blueprint for a happy, meaningful and fulfilling life. Like all truly great concepts this blueprint is

breathtakingly simple – get your principles straight and then, live by those principles every day of your life. Our dear friend, mentor, Professor, ‘brother’ and director has moved on and for the rest of us – life does go on…The gap Ian left cannot be filled by any single person – yet we cannot allow that gap to cause the ship to take in water. While this is undoubtedly a big blow to the Energy industry, life and the business will continue to go on as it always has – Ian’s death will leave behind a huge emptiness, but things will carry on… G Contact: Prof. LJ Grobler School for Mechanical Engineering North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa Tel: +27 18 299 1328 Fax: +27 18 299 1320 Cell: +27 82 452 9279 E-mail: [email protected]

IH Systems – products and applications

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H Systems is a company within the Building Management Systems and HVAC sectors, primarily geared towards Building Energy Management Control Systems and HVAC providing comprehensive engineering / technical solutions and services to the South African market, supported by professional individuals ensuring they deliver the highest quality solutions on all its projects. Its market extends beyond South Africa into West Africa. They are also a value added service integrator of products; a ‘UK’ based international supplier of Trend Building Energy Management Systems, a division but independent of the Environmental Combustion & Control (ECC) Division of Honeywell Automation & Control Solutions. APPLICATIONS Trend products are installed in all types of buildings including Art & leisure, Commercial, Education, Health, Hotels, Industrial, Military, Museums & Galleries, Pharmaceutical, Retail, Stadiums, Telecoms & Transport. Trend provides energy efficient control and monitoring solutions for the processes of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning as well as other building services. Effective control of building services provides many opportunities for energy savings and can often involve little or no investment. Keeping control of rising energy costs, whilst maintaining building comfort conditions, is a demanding challenge for any business or organisation. More effective control of energy costs however, is no longer part of a corporate wish list but is an expectation. G Contact: IH Systems P O Box 857 Hyper-by-the-Sea Durban 4053 Tel: +27 31 564 7534 Fax: +27 31 564 7539 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.trend-controls.com

22 Energy Management News

Short courses in renewable and sustainable energy studies

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evelop and enhance your knowledge in renewable and sustainable energy in support of accelerated and shared economic growth in South Africa while earning CPD points. The University of Stellenbosch will present a number of short courses in renewable and sustainable energy studies to enhance the capacity in South Africa to implement projects in this area. These courses form part of the taught master programmes but each module's week of contact is also registered with ECSA so that participants from industry can typically earn 4.0 CPD points in category 1.

The dates for 2009 are as follows: Renewable Energy Systems 9 - 14 March 2009 Solar Energy 18 - 23 May 2009 Renewable Energy Policy 20 - 25 July 2009 Energy Efficient Cities 10 - 15 August 2009 Wind & Hydro Energy 24 - 29 August 2009 Bio-Energy 14 - 19 September 2009 Sustainable Land Use 28 September - 3 October 2009 Sustainable Biomass Production 17 - 22 August 2009 All the courses will be presented in English by specialists in their field and will include group work and interaction with other professionals. The venue is the Sustainability Institute based at Lynedoch, near Stellenbosch. Accommodation is available at Lynedoch or in Stellenbosch. Further information, brochures and registration forms are available from the contact details below.

G Contact: Jos Liebenberg Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering University of Stellenbosch Tel: +27 21 808 4069 Fax: +27 21 808 4277 E-mails: [email protected] and [email protected] Website: www.sun.ac.za/cres

MARCH 2009 9 – 14 RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS Sustainability Institute, Lynedoch, Stellenbosch, South Africa Contact: Jos Liebenberg, Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, University of Stellenbosch Tel: +27 21 808 4069 Fax: +27 21 808 4277 E-mails: [email protected] and [email protected] Website: www.sun.ac.za/cres 16 – 18

WORLD BIOFUELS MARKETS Brussels, Belgium Website: www.greenpowerconferences.com 31 – 1 April

SOLAR INNOVATION AND INVESTMENT Shanghai, China Website: www.greenpowerconferences.com APRIL 2009 14 – 17

5TH EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT OF ENERGY IN INDUSTRY (ECEMEI-5) Hotel Dom Pedro Golf Resort, Vilamoura, Algarvae, Portugal Website: www.cenertec.pt/ecemei 23 – 24

CARBON MARKETS AMERICAS Sao Paulo, Brazil Website: www.greenpowerconferences.com MAY 2009 6–7

GULF SOLAR EXPO Dubai, United Arab Emirates Website: www.greenpowerconferences.com

Energy Management News 23

Energy events: 2009 18 – 23

SOLAR ENERGY Sustainability Institute, Lynedoch, Stellenbosch, South Africa Contact: Jos Liebenberg, Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, University of Stellenbosch Tel: +27 21 808 4069 Fax: +27 21 808 4277 E-mails: [email protected] and [email protected] Website: www.sun.ac.za/cres JUNE 2009 23 – 25 8TH WORLD WIND ENERGY CONFERENCE 2009: WIND POWER FOR ISLANDS – OFFSHORE AND ON SHORE Jeju Island, South Korea E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.2009wwec.com JULY 2009 7 – 10

TENTH CONFERENCE ON ENERGY FOR A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT (CLEAN AIR 2009) Instituto Superior Tecnico, Lisbon, Portugal Contact: Dr. João Luís Toste Azevedo, Instituto Superior Técnico, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal Tel: +351 21 841 7993 Fax: +351 21 847 5545 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://rgesd.ist.utl.pt/cleanair 20 – 25

RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY Sustainability Institute, Lynedoch, Stellenbosch, South Africa Contact: Jos Liebenberg, Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, University of Stellenbosch Tel: +27 21 808 4069 Fax: +27 21 808 4277 E-mails: [email protected] and [email protected] Website: www.sun.ac.za/cres

AUGUST 2009 10 – 15

ENERGY EFFICIENT STUDIES Sustainability Institute, Lynedoch, Stellenbosch, South Africa Contact: Jos Liebenberg, Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, University of Stellenbosch Tel: +27 21 808 4069 Fax: +27 21 808 4277 E-mails: [email protected] and [email protected] Website: www.sun.ac.za/cres 17 – 22

SUSTAINABLE BIOMASS PRODUCTION Sustainability Institute, Lynedoch, Stellenbosch, South Africa Contact: Jos Liebenberg, Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies , University of Stellenbosch Tel: +27 21 808 4069 Fax: +27 21 808 4277 E-mails: [email protected] and [email protected] Website: www.sun.ac.za/cres

24 – 26

OFFSHORE WIND 2009 Stockholm, Sweden E-mail: [email protected] 28 – 3 OCTOBER

SUSTAINABLE LAND USE Sustainability Institute, Lynedoch, Stellenbosch, South Africa Contact: Jos Liebenberg, Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies , University of Stellenbosch Tel: +27 21 808 4069 Fax: +27 21 808 4277 E-mails: [email protected] and [email protected] Website: www.sun.ac.za/cres OCTOBER 2009 11 – 14

SOLAR WORLD CONGRESS 2009 Johannesburg, South Africa Contact: Conference Secretariat Tel: +27 (0)861 115 182 Fax: +27(0)861 115 181/5/0 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.swc2009.co.za

24 – 29

WIND & HYDRO ENERGY Sustainability Institute, Lynedoch, Stellenbosch, South Africa Contact: Jos Liebenberg, Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies , University of Stellenbosch Tel: +27 21 808 4069 Fax: +27 21 808 4277 E-mails: [email protected] and [email protected] Website: www.sun.ac.za/cres SEPTEMBER 2009 14 – 19

BIO- ENERGY Sustainability Institute, Lynedoch, Stellenbosch, South Africa Contact: Jos Liebenberg, Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, University of Stellenbosch Tel: +27 21 808 4069 Fax: +27 21 808 4277 E-mails: [email protected] and [email protected] Website: www.sun.ac.za/cres

Visit www.erc.uct.ac.za for further events and details

The newsletter is published quarterly by the Energy Research Centre (ERC) of the University of Cape Town. (ERC is an amalgamation in 2004 of two organisations at the University: the former Energy Research Institute and the Energy and Development Research Centre.) Energy Management News is available free of charge. The articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or of ERC.

Enquiries, comments, articles, and information on energy events are welcome, and should be sent to: Richard Drummond Energy Research Centre University of Cape Town Private Bag Rondebosch 7701 South Africa. Tel: 021 650 3894 Fax: 021 650 2830 E-mail: [email protected]

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The Journal of Energy in Southern Africa (JESA) has been running for fourteen years, and has proved to be of a consistently high standard and to have a widening subscription base. The key receivers of this quarterly journal are researchers, consulting engineers, energy producers, energy consumers and decision makers. The publication is balanced, representative, up to date and authorative. It is becoming increasingly known in other countries especially in Africa.

The JESA is a successful vehicle for the dissemination of information on the latest results and activities in the Southern African energy field, publicising results achieved and stimulating future activities. The potential impact in terms of distribution is the whole of sub-Saharan Africa. It covers matters of local and regional interest as opposed to the internationally high technology content of other journals serving energy interests. It is the intention to keep the subscription rate relatively low to allow as many people as possible to have access to the JESA. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES (FOUR ISSUES) Individuals (Africa): R134 (single copy R51) Individuals (beyond Africa): US$109 (single copy US$39) Corporate (Africa): R321 (single copy R103) Corporate (beyond Africa): US$218 (single copy US$77) Cost includes VAT and airmail postage. Cheques should be made payable to the University of Cape Town and sent to the address given below. Contact: Ann Steiner, Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa. Tel: 021 650 4646 Fax: 021 650 2830 E-mail: [email protected]