Regulations on activities to be prohibited

The Draft Electricity Regulations for the Prohibition of Certain Practices in the Electricity Supply and Compulsory Norms and Standards for Reticulation Service are regulations drafted for comments by the Department of Minerals and Energy in order to minimise electricity load shedding and blackouts, thereby improving the quality of supply. Draft Regulations propose the activities that the licensee must prohibit in its licensed area of jurisdiction.

The Department is presently in the process of publishing the Regulations in the Government Gazette. Presently the Regulations may be viewed here.

The Department is requesting stakeholders and the public at large to comment on the Regulations no later than 25 February 2008.

The Department, in consultation with the National Energy Regulator, will consolidate the comments and forward the Regulations to the Minister for final approval. The license as defined in the Electricity Regulation Act, (Act no 4 of 2006) is mainly the licensee holder who will have to adhere to these Regulations, should it be approved by the Minister.

Some of the prohibition includes proliferation of incandescent lights and use of energy efficient substitutes in unoccupied buildings especially after working hours, street and highway lighting during broad day light and disposal of a light that contains mercury in a manner which adversely impacts the environment.

Further prohibition is in respect of water heating in commercial and residential buildings installation of an electric geyser that does not incorporate solar water heating facility to new dwelling with a value exceeding R750 000 and installation of electric geyser that does not incorporate solar water heating facility to new dwelling with square meters exceeding 300.

Also any new geyser without an insulation blanket and centralised water heating systems, meaning that the geyser without the control of the licensee must be prohibited on the new installations.

Further proposals for prohibitions may be forwarded to the Department for consideration. Any info please e-mail.

 

Energy efficiency in the residential sector

Introduction
South African households consume about 17 percent of South Africa's energy. There is a great opportunity for increased energy efficiency through the use of energy-efficient lighting, thermal insulation, and buying energy-saving appliances. An important concept that relates to energy efficiency is the "building envelope". The envelope is everything that separates the interior of the building from the exterior - the doors, windows, walls, foundation, roof, and insulation. All components of the building envelope need to work together to keep a building warm in winter and cool in summer.

Various approaches can help improve the building envelope. Storm windows and doors can reduce heat loss when temperatures drop. In warm regions, windows with special glazing can let in daylight yet prevent heat loss when temperatures drop. It is also a good idea to install ceilings and insulate the walls and ceilings.

Heating and cooling systems typically use the most energy in a building. The energy used to heat water can be reduced by heating water more efficiently and by reducing the amount of hot water used. A variety of fixtures, such as low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators, also help reduce hot water use.

Today, most common appliances and electronic devices are available in energy-efficient models - from washing machines and refrigerators to photocopiers and computers. Several energy-efficient lighting options such as compact fluorescent light bulbs are also available.

Cooking
There are many simple ways to save energy while cooking:

• Keep lids on the pot when you cook to conserve heat and energy;
• Boil only the amount of water you need instead of a full pot or kettle;
• Close the fridge door every time you take things out. Check that the seal closes properly;
• Soak beans, samp and other dry food over night. This saves several hours of cooking;
• Use appropriate cooking utensils. For example: use pots and pans with a flat bottom so that the base makes full contact with the stove plate. This will use up to 50 percent less energy; and
• Electric stoves consume a lot of electricity so use the plates and oven as little as possible. Gas is more efficient for heating and cooking.

Electricity and water
Reduce your electricity and water accounts by following these measures:

• Skip the pre-wash cycle on your washing machine if your clothes are not particularly dirty. This can save up to 20 percent electricity;
• Wash bed linen at 60 degrees instead of 90 degrees;
• Turn off all stand-by modes every time you leave the house and before going to bed;
• Use energy-saving light bulbs. They last much longer and uses less electricity;
• Do all your ironing at the same time instead of in little bits;
• Repair faulty and damaged energy-consuming appliances as they tend to consume more energy when faulty.
• Switch off the lights, fans, computers and other appliances when you leave the room;
• Use the right energy for the right appliance. For example, use heaters to heat a room rather than a hotplate; use an electrical kettle for water heating rather than a pot on the stove;
• While electricity is good for electronic appliances, gas is more efficient for heating and cooking;
• Insulate your geyser and the outlet pipes with newspapers, old blankets or insulating materials;
• Reduce the temperature of your geyser to around 55 degrees so that you do not need to add too much cold water when you shower or do the dishes;
• Take a shower instead of a bath to save on hot water;
• If you do take a bath, use as little water as possible;
• Use a low-flow showerhead to control the amount of water used;
• Do not let hot water pour out of taps and down the drain; and
• Fix all leaking taps.

            To view more tips, click here.

 

Keeping cool, getting warm
There are cost-saving ways to enjoy a comfortable indoor climate all year round:

• Reduce the temperature on the heater from full heat to a comfortable level;
• Ventilating your room properly on a daily basis in summer and winter. Remember to switch off your heater, fan or air conditioner while airing the room; and
• Close the windows and doors when the heater is on.

New houses
Building a new house? You can increase energy efficiency in the following ways:

• Make sure the house is north facing;
• Install large north-facing windows;
• Insulate the walls; and
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Recycling
Save energy by recycling your waste and support recycling efforts by buying products with the recycled mark (three arrows that make a triangle).

• Recycle newspapers. Paper made from recycled paper uses about one-third less energy than paper made from raw materials;
• Recycle glass bottles and jars. Glass made from recycled glass also uses about one-third less energy than glass made from raw materials;
• Recycle aluminium cans and tinfoil. Aluminium cans made from recycled aluminium use 90 percent less energy that aluminium made from raw materials; and
• Buy products without much packaging and wrapping.

Renewable energy
Use renewable energy as much as possible.

• Install a solar water-heater instead of an electric geyser;
• Do not switch on lights if sunlight is sufficient;
• Use the sun to dry washed clothes instead of a tumble drier;
• Allow the clothes to drip-dry and save on ironing; and
• Buy clothes that do not require ironing.

Energy efficiency in the commercial sector

The commercial sector consumes only 2.5 percent of the final energy demand and provides 43 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). Within this sector, electricity is used mainly for lighting, heating and air conditioning, and office equipment. There is still scope for energy saving through improved building design and more efficient management of energy use.

Energy efficiency in the industrial sector

South Africa has a total electricity supply of 40 000 MW (megawatts). The industrial sector is the largest user of energy and electricity, consuming 68 percent of this supply. Energy savings of up to 50 percent can be achieved in this sector, with a further 10 percent through either no-cost or low-cost investment.

The industrial sector can be divided into eight broad divisions: mining, iron and steel, chemicals, non-ferrous metals, non-metallic metals, pulp and paper, food, and tobacco.

General tips for improving energy efficiency in industry:

• Improve boiler efficiency;
• Repair any leakages in compressed air systems;
• Frequent clean condensers in refrigerating plants;
• Repair steam traps;
• Repair faulty insulation; and
• Install thermal insulation.

Motors: Motor-driven equipment accounts for 64 percent of electricity consumed by South Africa industries. Energy-efficient motors can cut this energy use by at least 12 percent.

Steam systems: A typical industrial facility can realise steam savings of 20 percent by improving its steam system. Simple approaches to improving energy performance include insulating steam and condensate return lines, stopping any steam leaks, and maintaining steam traps. Condensate return to the boiler is essential for energy efficiency.

Compressed air: Optimisation of compressed air systems can provide energy efficiency improvements of 20 to 50 percent. Many industries use compressed air systems as power sources for tools and equipment used for pressurising, atomising, agitating, and mixing applications. Compressors using variable-speed drives are saving energy. Simple measures such as detecting and fixing air leaks are also important.

Energy efficiency in the transport sector

Liquid fuels are compact stores of large amounts of energy that can be used in quite small, simple machines perfectly suited for transport. In the past 20 years, transport has been the only growing sector for the oil industry.

In 1995, the transport sector in South Africa consumed 696PJ (Petajoule), which was 28 percent of total final energy demand. Of this, 371PJ was petrol, 147PJ jet fuel, 117PJ fuel oil and 12PJ electricity.

Transport is by far the biggest user of liquid fuels in South Africa. Transport, especially road transport, is a very serious source of pollution, affecting human health and the environment. Increased fuel efficiency reduces pollution per vehicle per kilometre.

Fuel efficiency tips

• Close the car windows when driving. An open window creates a drag that increases fuel consumption by as much as 20 percent. For a person who spends R100 a week on petrol, a 20 percent saving could mean saving R20 a week, which adds up to R80 a month;
• Use multigrade oil in your engine because it reduces drag;
• Service your car regularly;
• Use a logbook to record your fuel purchases and kilometre travelled to set new economic goals and to spot radical differences in the performance of your vehicle due to mechanical malfunction;
• Establish lift clubs;
• Switch to radial-ply tyres because they offer less rolling resistance and longer life than the cross-ply variety;
• Avoid driving with under-inflated tyres because a tyre pressure that is too low not only increases consumption, but also markedly reduces a tyre's life;
• Avoid stop-start driving;
• Accelerate slowly; and
• Do not speed, the faster you drive the more petrol you use.

Energy efficiency in the agriculture sector

In 1995, agriculture consumed 95 PJ (petajoules), which was 3.8 percent of the total South African energy demand. Of this, 19PJ was used for electricity, 8PJ for coal, 52PJ for diesel, 3PJ for paraffin and 9PJ for agricultural wastes. Energy within the agriculture sector is used mainly for: tractors, pumped irrigation, harvesters, transport, heating, drying, refrigeration and processing of crops.