The Energy Efficiency Showcase and Awards Event, held on November 12, recognised five projects that use German technologies to enhance energy efficiency in South African industry and buildings.

The awards were given to projects that show innovative German energy efficiency technologies in areas of application highly replicable and relevant to South Africa, including compressed air, lighting solutions, pumping, combined heat and power, and energy management systems.

At the event, it was mentioned that owing to the high energy efficiency standards in Germany, German technology providers and institutions are ideal cooperation partners to bring energy-efficient solutions and technical expertise to the South African market.

The first project is a compressed air system optimisation at a foundry, by German compressed air and gas monitoring equipment company CS Instrument.

The project is located in Atlantis, in the Western Cape, and was implemented in 2019.

A key characteristics of this project is that flow meters were installed, which constantly measure whether the compressed air flow system has any leakages. A 560 kW compressor was also taken offline, resulting in energy savings of 4 816 MWh/y.

The second project relates to improving efficiency and service delivery in public water treatment, by pumps company Wilo South Africa.

This project is located in Hoopstad, in the Free State, and was implemented this year.

A key characteristic of this project was the retrofitting of an existing pump station with Wilo’s Emu-port solid separation systems. It contributed to an up to 25% reduction in power consumption.

The third is a combined heat and power for resource efficiency in industry project, by gas-to-power solutions provider SustainPower.

It was undertaken for beverage company Distell, at its Springs operation, in Gauteng, and was implemented in 2019.

A key characteristic of this project is a 440 kW biogas combined heat and power system. This is able to offset 1 500 MWh grid electricity in a 12-month operating period.

The fourth project is a lighting system optimisation, by Steinel Distributors Southern Africa.

It was done for the logistics facility DSV Park, in Gauteng, and was implemented this year.

A key characteristic of this project is the installation of advanced KNX German Motion and Presence detectors.

The average lighting savings achieved is 30% or 50 000 W off the lighting load.

The last project involves microgrid and optimised distributed energy use, by Siemens South Africa, using a Campus Microgrid.

It is located at Siemens’ premises in Midrand, Gauteng, and was implemented in 2018.

A key characteristic of the project is a system of combined distributed power generation/energy system, smart metering and control of use.

The project led to an overall 8% electricity cost reduction.

Speakers at the event emphasised the importance of energy efficiency for South Africa, highlighting that it should be the first measure in engendering a sustainable energy industry in the country, as well as overcoming issues such as load-shedding, power outages and supply constraints.

It was highlighted that South African-German partnerships such as these have engendered increased building quality, reduced energy costs and lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Moreover, the projects were said to showcase South Africa as an attractive location for German companies pursuing concrete partnerships and market opportunities.

The showcase was hosted by the Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.