The signing in February of State-owned power utility Eskom’s 49M initiative by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has yielded positive results in saving energy.

Although, the council admits that not all recommendations for improvement by the Eskom auditors assisting it with energy audits have been ideal for the CSIR.

The CSIR signed Eskom’s 49M pledge in February, attesting that it is a platform that creates a good network for South African organisations and industries to share and learn about energy efficiency initiatives.

“The pledge will re-emphasise the CSIR’s commitment to optimal energy use and that the council plays a role in ensuring that the country overcomes its energy challenges. Reducing energy use is always high on the CSIR’s agenda,” says CSIR properties infrastructure and services group manager Richard Flame.

Since 2006, the CSIR has initiated several energy efficiency initiatives at its facilities, which include replacing old high-energy lighting and air conditioners with more efficient versions. Old equipment is also replaced with energy efficient equipment. Also, depending on the area of the organisation and the need for hot water, geysers are either switched off or adjusted to 55 °C. To date, the energy used by the CSIR has been reduced by more than 10% since 2006.

“After singing the pledge, behavioural change has also contributed to the reduction in energy use. “We encourage our employees to switch off the lights in the boardrooms, toilets and other areas when no one is present,” says Flame. Last year, the CSIR installed real-time energy meters and monitors at all sites and buildings to assist in monitoring its energy use and demand. The Pretoria site uses about 2.5 GWh/m, while the CSIR uses a total of about 3.1 GWh/m.

Building occupants will also be able to see in real time how much energy they use in the building. “This information will assist them in managing electricity use more efficiently. “About 80% of the monitors have been installed at our buildings and we are in the process of completing this installation,” explains Flame.

He adds that, before the installation of the real-time meters, the CSIR could only see how much energy it had consumed after receiving municipal bills. This new initiative has enabled CSIR staff to understand how energy is used at remote sites and buildings.

In the past three months since the CSIR signed the 49M pledge, it has participated in the worldwide Earth-Hour initiative to raise awareness on energy efficiency.

Eskom says, so far, almost 11 000 people have pledged on the 49M website to partici-pate in changing the way they use electricity to conserve energy. The 49M initiative is involving universities and colleges through its global green campus movement, which shows young people how to save energy and encourages them to save electricity.

The initiative is also moving a glass house around the country to demonstrate how to save energy in the home using simple technologies and products, such as geyser blankets that keep water warm for longer after a geyser has been switched off.

“We are pleased that the CSIR has come on board as Eskom increases its efforts to persuade companies and individuals to do more to save electricity and reach its mandate of achieving an energy saving of at least 10% by 2015,” says Eskom’s 49M spokesperson Andrew Etzinger.