Company Announcement - The widespread effects of South Africa’s energy crisis and its evil twin, the impending water crunch, may be difficult to accurately quantify but two things are absolutely certain: constrained electricity supply and limited access to water isn’t going away any time soon and only bold, innovative solutions can make any difference for South African businesses. The time to go back to the drawing board … literally … is upon us. Reserve Bank figures suggest that the energy crisis could slash production by as much as 25%. Economists believe that 500 000 potential jobs have been sacrificed as a result of the power shortages. Predictions range from bleak to catastrophic. 

As the average South African gets a first-hand look at just how disruptive an unstable power supply can be, there is a growing awareness that for businesses to operate successfully in this environment, self-sufficiency and energy efficiency are absolutely critical. Business parks and industrial developments that were designed and constructed during an era of steady supply have ceased to be relevant. Ample water and cheap, unfailing power can no longer be relied upon as a mainstay of local businesses.

“South African developers need to move away from industrial and commercial construction modelled on ideals. Buildings, manufacturing plants and business parks have to be designed to withstand the infrastructural challenges that face our country,” says Marius Esterhuyze, Major Accounts Manager at Autodesk. “Sustainable ecosystems are the new reality. Going ‘green’ is no longer a nice to have, it is a matter of ultimate survival.” The role of design in this build revolution is key. Bolted on quick-fixes, such as generators, are not enough to negate the effects of limited infrastructural resources. Long-term solutions for an energy constrained environment have to be developed from the ground up.  The national grid and limited water resources have to be considered in every phase of construction … from structure to systems right through to the technology that brings the building to life. 

“Today’s software technology allows architects and engineers to iteratively test, analyse and improve on building design. This means that performance (including energy consumption, airflow ventilation, solar radiation, water use etc.) can be optimised before a single brick is laid,” says Esterhuyze.

So why does any of this matter?

The United Nations Environmental Programme Sustainable Buildings & Climate Initiative estimates that the building sector contributes up to 30% of global annual greenhouse gas emissions and consumes up to 40% of all energy. These figures indicate that how we design and build in South Africa can have a significant impact on our limited resources. “Good, sustainable building design starts with a clear understanding of the climate of the building site. Building Information Modelling allows for data to be captured and displayed through visualisation tools that can help to consider factors such as temperature, humidity, wind conditions, and sky conditions in a design,” says Esterhuyze. “The achievement of a net zero energy build should always be the end goal.”

Reducing water use is the next step in a sustainable design. Skilful system design and a suitable specification of products can easily reduce water use by 50% or more. There are several ways to get the most out of every drop: water-efficient fixtures and equipment, water-efficient irrigation and landscaping, recycling water so it can be used more than once, and capturing rainwater. Purification of water on-site with living machines or advanced septic systems can also be highly effective. Biomimicry (the design and production of materials, structures and systems that mimic biological processes) is becoming increasingly popular for rainwater harvesting designs. Various plant species (some of which exist in our local environment) are being studied as a blueprint for the design of new rainwater capture methods. Nature is an outstanding source of information and inspiration in the pursuit of innovative ways to generate heat and light and create a sustainable future.

“Although design on its own cannot solve the energy crisis, it has the potential to change the way in which we use energy, significantly decrease energy wastage and reduce our dependence on the often-overloaded national grid,” concludes Esterhuyze.