ENERGY MATTERS
AN OVERVIEW OF CURRENT DEBATES IN THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY SECTOR
GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM
MONDAY, 5 JULY 2010
A call to use energy more efficiently
South Africa is not going to satisfy its growing electricity demands by
constantly increasing supply, the traditional response in the past. The
quickest, most cost-effective response is to increase energy efficiency,
because much of our electricity goes to waste. The government has taken
energy efficiency seriously, and this newsletter looks at how the
Department of Public Works is retrofitting thousands of buildings to
increase efficiency. We also look in detail at one good example of a
‘green’public building, the new Central Energy Fund building.
constantly increasing supply, the traditional response in the past. The
quickest, most cost-effective response is to increase energy efficiency,
because much of our electricity goes to waste. The government has taken
energy efficiency seriously, and this newsletter looks at how the
Department of Public Works is retrofitting thousands of buildings to
increase efficiency. We also look in detail at one good example of a
‘green’public building, the new Central Energy Fund building.
An energy retrofit to thousands of buildings
GOVERNMENT is the biggest property landlord in the country, with some
108 000 buildings under its custodianship, ranging from the Houses of
Parliament to courts, prisons, office blocks and housing estates. The
combined energy bills run into the tens of millions each month.
108 000 buildings under its custodianship, ranging from the Houses of
Parliament to courts, prisons, office blocks and housing estates. The
combined energy bills run into the tens of millions each month.
When the electricity crisis struck in early 2008, the Cabinet announced
that it would lead by example, directing the Department of Public Works
(DPW) to fast- track energy efficiency policies in government-owned
buildings.
that it would lead by example, directing the Department of Public Works
(DPW) to fast- track energy efficiency policies in government-owned
buildings.
In fact the department had already formed an Energy Efficiency task
team, and in February 2008 had formulated an Energy Code of Conduct for
all 108 000 public buildings under its custodianship. Energy audits on
public buildings go back more than ten years.
team, and in February 2008 had formulated an Energy Code of Conduct for
all 108 000 public buildings under its custodianship. Energy audits on
public buildings go back more than ten years.
An example of energy efficiency in public buildings came later that same
year, when the Treasury allocated R20 million to DPW to upgrade lighting
to new low-energy standards in almost 2 000 government buildings in
Pretoria. The biggest buildings, mainly office blocks, were chosen,
because those were the ones where the savings would be largest.
Completed in March 2009, the project saves almost R5 million in
electricity bills each year. A year later, a further 1 200 buildings –
including the Union Buildings – had their lighting upgraded, with an
expected annual saving of 1,747Gw/h in electricity, and an annual saving
of over R6 billion in electricity fees. Among the upgraded buildings
were the homes of ministers.
year, when the Treasury allocated R20 million to DPW to upgrade lighting
to new low-energy standards in almost 2 000 government buildings in
Pretoria. The biggest buildings, mainly office blocks, were chosen,
because those were the ones where the savings would be largest.
Completed in March 2009, the project saves almost R5 million in
electricity bills each year. A year later, a further 1 200 buildings –
including the Union Buildings – had their lighting upgraded, with an
expected annual saving of 1,747Gw/h in electricity, and an annual saving
of over R6 billion in electricity fees. Among the upgraded buildings
were the homes of ministers.
Driving these initiatives has been the Department of Energy, which has
set a national target to reduce energy consumption by 12% over the next
five years. The target for public sector and commercial buildings has
been set at 12%, and residential buildings at 10%.
set a national target to reduce energy consumption by 12% over the next
five years. The target for public sector and commercial buildings has
been set at 12%, and residential buildings at 10%.
Retrofitting of old buildings, constructed in an era when no-one paid
much attention to energy use, can yield substantial savings: it has been
calculated that energy efficiency can be improved by 70%, piped water
use can be cut by 80% and discharges to sewers by 70%. The costs of
retrofitting can be paid back over a few years thanks to savings on
utility bills.
much attention to energy use, can yield substantial savings: it has been
calculated that energy efficiency can be improved by 70%, piped water
use can be cut by 80% and discharges to sewers by 70%. The costs of
retrofitting can be paid back over a few years thanks to savings on
utility bills.
According to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR),
the built environment in South Africa uses a surprisingly large
percentage of our resources: 40% of our energy is used to power
buildings; 17% of our fresh water, 25% of our timber and 40% of other
materials. That’s why in April this year, Minister of Public Works Geoff
Doidge told a building conference that his department would engage with
the construction industry to create a green built environment, which
would in turn create green jobs and contribute to a green economy.
the built environment in South Africa uses a surprisingly large
percentage of our resources: 40% of our energy is used to power
buildings; 17% of our fresh water, 25% of our timber and 40% of other
materials. That’s why in April this year, Minister of Public Works Geoff
Doidge told a building conference that his department would engage with
the construction industry to create a green built environment, which
would in turn create green jobs and contribute to a green economy.
Although South Africa lags behind many countries, significant steps have
been taken in the past two years. In 2008, a Green Building Council of
South Africa was formed, a non-profit organisation that brings together
government and the private sector, the construction industry and
property developers, architects and engineers, to work together towards
establishing sustainable building standards.
been taken in the past two years. In 2008, a Green Building Council of
South Africa was formed, a non-profit organisation that brings together
government and the private sector, the construction industry and
property developers, architects and engineers, to work together towards
establishing sustainable building standards.
The council’s most important achievement has been to issue a Green Star
SA rating system, based on an Australian model. Buildings can be awarded
up to six stars in different categories – office blocks are graded
differently to shopping malls – according to how they perform against a
lengthy list of criteria that measure everything from light fittings to
bathroom taps to windows, building materials, roof insulation, use of
the land, quality of the internal air, and more. The DPW aims to set a
date by which all new public buildings will need to achieve a minimum of
four stars from the Green Star system. It will also submit a memorandum
to Cabinet calling for compulsory Green Star compliance for all new
buildings in the country, both public and private sector.
SA rating system, based on an Australian model. Buildings can be awarded
up to six stars in different categories – office blocks are graded
differently to shopping malls – according to how they perform against a
lengthy list of criteria that measure everything from light fittings to
bathroom taps to windows, building materials, roof insulation, use of
the land, quality of the internal air, and more. The DPW aims to set a
date by which all new public buildings will need to achieve a minimum of
four stars from the Green Star system. It will also submit a memorandum
to Cabinet calling for compulsory Green Star compliance for all new
buildings in the country, both public and private sector.
To help the construction industry understand the many technical issues
involved, a Green Building Handbook was published in 2009, largely
researched, edited and produced by the CSIR. The CSIR has also produced
a tool for developers called the Sustainable Building Assessment Tool,
that can measure the potential environmental performance of construction
projects while they are still in the planning stages.
involved, a Green Building Handbook was published in 2009, largely
researched, edited and produced by the CSIR. The CSIR has also produced
a tool for developers called the Sustainable Building Assessment Tool,
that can measure the potential environmental performance of construction
projects while they are still in the planning stages.
In South Africa, sustainable building practices include social and
economic criteria as well as environmental factors. This is extremely
important to the DPW, for whom a major mandate is job creation. “The
transformation to green provides emerging economies with opportunities
to develop green products, green industry and green jobs,” says Minister
Doidge.
economic criteria as well as environmental factors. This is extremely
important to the DPW, for whom a major mandate is job creation. “The
transformation to green provides emerging economies with opportunities
to develop green products, green industry and green jobs,” says Minister
Doidge.
How going green saved CEF money
THE Central Energy Fund (CEF) recently moved into new premises, which
provide a good example of how a public building can be retrofitted to
green guidelines. They also demonstrate why going green can actually
save money.
provide a good example of how a public building can be retrofitted to
green guidelines. They also demonstrate why going green can actually
save money.
The state-owned CEF manages the government’s interests in a wide range
of subsidiaries in the oil, gas, minerals and energy sectors. One of its
mandates is renewable energy development. The company recently outgrew
its rented offices in Rosebank, Johannesburg, moving to a building off
Grayston Road, one of the busiest streets in Sandton.
of subsidiaries in the oil, gas, minerals and energy sectors. One of its
mandates is renewable energy development. The company recently outgrew
its rented offices in Rosebank, Johannesburg, moving to a building off
Grayston Road, one of the busiest streets in Sandton.
The four storey building had already been designed, but CEF decided to
‘lead by example’ and have it retrofitted as a model of energy efficient
construction. There was more to this than altruism. CEF saved up to nine
percent on the initial cost of the building, and expects a return on the
investment in four years, thanks to savings on energy costs. Remarkably,
CEF were not the only ones to benefit – the developers saved so much
money they were able to construct a second, similar building alongside,
and have become enthusiastic converts to sustainable construction.
‘lead by example’ and have it retrofitted as a model of energy efficient
construction. There was more to this than altruism. CEF saved up to nine
percent on the initial cost of the building, and expects a return on the
investment in four years, thanks to savings on energy costs. Remarkably,
CEF were not the only ones to benefit – the developers saved so much
money they were able to construct a second, similar building alongside,
and have become enthusiastic converts to sustainable construction.
Here are examples of how energy efficient features were incorporated
into the building:
into the building:
Like most modern buildings, CEF House has plenty of large glass windows.
These make use of double glazing – an outer and inner pane of glass with
a gap between them – to reduce heat loss and gain. The inner pane is
made of a substance known as Low-emissivity, or Low-E glass, which has a
thin metallic coating that bounces back thermal radiation and prevents
heat from creeping through the glass. The bottoms of outside doors are
fitted with “door sweeps”that prevent draughts blowing in.
These make use of double glazing – an outer and inner pane of glass with
a gap between them – to reduce heat loss and gain. The inner pane is
made of a substance known as Low-emissivity, or Low-E glass, which has a
thin metallic coating that bounces back thermal radiation and prevents
heat from creeping through the glass. The bottoms of outside doors are
fitted with “door sweeps”that prevent draughts blowing in.
To reduce heat flows from the parking basement to the ground floor,
insulation panels made of compressed vermiculite were stapled to the
basement ceiling. Vermiculite, a clay-like mineral, is found in
abundance in South Africa, and is highly regarded for both its
insulation and fireproofing qualities. Loose-fill vermiculite was packed
into the cavity in the external brick walls to provide additional
insulation. A 50mm insulation layer was also installed under the roof
sheeting.
insulation panels made of compressed vermiculite were stapled to the
basement ceiling. Vermiculite, a clay-like mineral, is found in
abundance in South Africa, and is highly regarded for both its
insulation and fireproofing qualities. Loose-fill vermiculite was packed
into the cavity in the external brick walls to provide additional
insulation. A 50mm insulation layer was also installed under the roof
sheeting.
Lighting is one of the biggest consumers of electricity, particularly in
offices where lights are often permanently switched on. CEF House
installed a new system from Philips, never previously used outside
Europe, called ActiLume. The lights look much like conventional
fluorescent tube fittings, but their consumption, of 5-7 watts per
square metre, is a fraction of the industry norm of around 30 watts. The
most notable feature of ActiLume is its use of motion sensors which
switch the lights off entirely when no-one is in the room, and light
sensors that dim the tubes when enough daylight is coming in through the
windows. Philips claims that in Europe these systems have reduced energy
consumption by up to 75%.
offices where lights are often permanently switched on. CEF House
installed a new system from Philips, never previously used outside
Europe, called ActiLume. The lights look much like conventional
fluorescent tube fittings, but their consumption, of 5-7 watts per
square metre, is a fraction of the industry norm of around 30 watts. The
most notable feature of ActiLume is its use of motion sensors which
switch the lights off entirely when no-one is in the room, and light
sensors that dim the tubes when enough daylight is coming in through the
windows. Philips claims that in Europe these systems have reduced energy
consumption by up to 75%.
Another innovative technology is the lift, bought from a Finnish company
called Kone, which has pioneered a mechanism that uses magnetic motors
rather than hydraulics, resulting in a lighter lift cage that is said to
use 80% less electricity. The Kone system is also able to confine all
the mechanical parts to the hoistway at the top of the lift shaft,
unlike conventional lifts which require a special, space-consuming
machine room.
called Kone, which has pioneered a mechanism that uses magnetic motors
rather than hydraulics, resulting in a lighter lift cage that is said to
use 80% less electricity. The Kone system is also able to confine all
the mechanical parts to the hoistway at the top of the lift shaft,
unlike conventional lifts which require a special, space-consuming
machine room.
Two solar water heaters, each with 200 litre capacity, take care of all
the hot water needs in bathrooms and kitchens. Sensors in basins and
urinals cut out the chances of taps being left on, resulting in more
efficient water use.
the hot water needs in bathrooms and kitchens. Sensors in basins and
urinals cut out the chances of taps being left on, resulting in more
efficient water use.
Of course more is needed than simply a green building. People have to
change their habits too. Video conferencing has been installed at CEF
House and at subsidiaries like PetroSA in Cape Town, refineries in
Mossel Bay, and at international offices, thus reducing the need for air
travel. And as an experiment, 30 of the staff are having their private
transport habits monitored, to encourage wider awareness of sustainable
transport options like lift clubs and public transport.
change their habits too. Video conferencing has been installed at CEF
House and at subsidiaries like PetroSA in Cape Town, refineries in
Mossel Bay, and at international offices, thus reducing the need for air
travel. And as an experiment, 30 of the staff are having their private
transport habits monitored, to encourage wider awareness of sustainable
transport options like lift clubs and public transport.
More interventions are being planned, including the recycling of all
waste, including glass, plastic, tin and used cooking oil, the addition
of thin-film solar cell panels to the roof and a mini wind turbine to
the front facade.
waste, including glass, plastic, tin and used cooking oil, the addition
of thin-film solar cell panels to the roof and a mini wind turbine to
the front facade.
NEW RULES TO ENCOURAGE ENERGY EFFICIENCY
THE Department of Energy has published a revised set of policies to
encourage electricity efficiency, and has invited public comment. The
updated rules (Policy to Support Energy Efficiency and Demand Side
Management) are to be found on the website of the National Energy
Regulator, NERSA. The new policies are based “on lessons learnt from the
implementation of the current rules,” says NERSA.
encourage electricity efficiency, and has invited public comment. The
updated rules (Policy to Support Energy Efficiency and Demand Side
Management) are to be found on the website of the National Energy
Regulator, NERSA. The new policies are based “on lessons learnt from the
implementation of the current rules,” says NERSA.
Electricity efficiency has two sides: supply, in the form of Eskom or
alternative forms of power; and demand, meaning the consumers. Since
much of our electricity is simply wasted, reducing demand is an
essential component – indeed, efficient use of electricity could reduce
demand by up to 30%.
alternative forms of power; and demand, meaning the consumers. Since
much of our electricity is simply wasted, reducing demand is an
essential component – indeed, efficient use of electricity could reduce
demand by up to 30%.
The policy document aims to set a regulatory framework, set efficiency
targets and provide for tariff-based incentives to stimulate energy
efficiency. The public are invited to comment before 20 July 2010,
writing to Mr Tebogo Majatladi at eedsmru…@nersa.org.za.
targets and provide for tariff-based incentives to stimulate energy
efficiency. The public are invited to comment before 20 July 2010,
writing to Mr Tebogo Majatladi at eedsmru…@nersa.org.za.
