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Biogas News

Ivorian engineer wins Royal Academy award for biowaste innovation

By: Schalk Burger 9th July 2021 Côte d'Ivoire chemical engineer Noël N’guessan has won the Royal Academy of Engineering’s 2021 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. He developed biowaste equipment for smallholder farmers in West Africa to efficiently manage and generate income from biowaste. →

Progressive moves to ban organic waste from landfills seen as key driver of South African biogas industry

By: Terence Creamer 29th June 2021 Legislation curtailing and, ultimately, banning the diversion of organic waste to municipal landfills is expected to support the development of South Africa’s biogas industry, which remains nascent with only 28 such projects having be built and commissioned to date. South Africa National Waste... →

Bronkhorstspruit Biogas Plant

Strong policy needed to grow a green biofuels industry

By: Nadine Ramdass 18th June 2021 To ensure that the South African biofuels industry grows sustainably, World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa (WWF-SA) Bioenergy programme manager Tjaša Bole-Rentel says there needs to be a differentiation at policy level based on each biofuel’s environmental impact. Biofuels have the potential... →

BIOFUEL POWERED DELIVERY VAN Biofuels can burn cleaner but are not climate neutral

Biofuels framework is inadequate

By: Nadine Ramdass 18th June 2021 Although the biofuels regulatory framework aims to provide guidance and regulation for the industry and its processes, its falling short in several areas could inhibit its growth in an already challenging environment, says Wits Business School African Energy Leadership Centre director Professor... →

LWAZI NGUBEVANA South Africa’s biofuels growth needs a clear, supportive framework

Localisation of equipment promotes price stability

By: Nadine Ramdass 18th June 2021 Rand volatility has a big impact on projects that require imported biogas equipment ,however the localisation of some equipment can help the biogas industry gain some stability, says organic waste solutions company Logical Waste director Jason Gifford. It was a good time to import equipment over... →

BIO-PELLETS FUEL IN A BOILER The right equipment is a key aspect for successful projects

Association offers value to stakeholders

By: Nadine Ramdass 18th June 2021 Stakeholders in the biofuels and biogas industry can advocate for better legislation and connect with other stakeholders by being active members of associations such as the Southern African Biogas Industry Association (SABIA). The association also makes it possible for stakeholders and interested... →

BIOGAS FACILITY ON FARM Anaerobic digestion converts hazardous organic waste

Wärtsilä signs maintenance agreement with Nigerian energy supplier

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 7th April 2021 Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a long-term optimised maintenance agreement covering power plants in three locations owned by 100% privately-owned Nigerian energy provider Paras Energy. The aim of the agreement is to ensure the plants’ continued high levels of availability, reliability and... →

Fossil fuels found accountable for millions of deaths

By: Halima Frost 19th March 2021 Fossil fuels are, through a marked contribution to air pollution, accountable for 8.7-million deaths globally in 2018, which adds to the mounting evidence that air pollution from ongoing dependence on fossil fuels is detrimental to global health, says University College London (UCL) associate... →

POISON Fossil fuels are responsible for millions of deaths globally every year

Research shows promise in decarbonisation drive

By: Halima Frost 19th March 2021 The research of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) into accelerated decarbonisation scenarios for the South African power system confirms considerable opportunity to accelerate decarbonisation at low or zero net cost, says CSIR electrochemical energy technologies research... →

SAVING FOR THE FUTURE Battery storage can become a substantial contributor to maximizing the efficacy of renewable energy

Sustainability leader ramps up ESG strategy

By: Halima Frost 19th March 2021 Energy management and automation company Schneider Electric has begun to implement its new Schneider Sustainability Impact (SSI) programme for 2021 to 2025, in the hopes of significantly accelerating its progress to being a more sustainable company. The programme is built on six long-term... →

ZANELLE DALGLISH Our vision of sustainability is holistic and ecosystemic, as it covers all environmental, social and governance topics

Gas can decrease emissions in power generation

By: Halima Frost 19th March 2021 With power generation being accountable for 41% of current global carbon emissions, which amount to about 33.7 Gt/y of carbon dioxide (CO2), multinational conglomerate General Electric Company (GE) believes that gas can play a vital role in decreasing carbon emissions. “Gas burns at less than... →

TURNING GAS TO POWER The HA turbine supplied by GE has made significant inroads into the energy sector since its introduction

Creecy proclaims three more REDZ

12th March 2021 Creamer Media's Chanel de Bruyn speaks to Engineering News Editor Terence Creamer about the proclamation of three more Renewable Energy Development Zones and why these are important for the country's just transition. →

Creecy proclaims three more REDZ

4IR skills map way forward

By: Mamaili Mamaila 17th July 2020 With continuous improvements in technology, there is a need for concurrent upskilling across all sectors, especially as the reality of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has set in locally. →

ASTRID STRAUSSNER
The traditional education system is still important, although it needs to adopt new ways of delivering its content

Polytech Africa MD Astrid Straussner tells Engineering News about the company’s Mechatronics Academy. Camerawork: Creamer Media’s Kutlwano Matlala. Editing: Creamer Media’s Nicholas Boyd. Recorded: 28.02.2020

Swedish Stirling, Samancor sign MoU for clean energy tech at smelters

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 1st July 2020 Clean tech company Swedish Stirling and South African ferrochrome producer Samancor Chrome have entered into a memorandum of understanding regarding the possible installation of up to 135 PWR BLOKs at Samancor Chrome’s TC Smelter, Ferrometals and Tubatse Alloys smelters. On December 13, 2019,... →

Biogas courses offered online despite delay

By: Halima Frost 19th June 2020 As cement, aggregate and readymix concrete producer AfriSam marks ten years since the inaugural AfriSam-SAIA Award for Sustainable Design + Innovation, the 2019/20 edition is likely to set new trends. The fifth round of the biennial awards is taking place amid an era of worldwide economic... →

OF COURSE NCPC-SA is offering its end-user course online to who are new to the biogas sector and those who would like to know more about the technology

Herbert Smith Freehills releases guide to assist green energy developers

By: Donna Slater 12th May 2020 Professional services firm Herbert Smith Freehills says Africa-focussed developers and sponsors in the renewable energy market can fast-track project development and enhance bankability by using development funds (DFs). The firm lays out the plans and their benefits in a newly launched renewable... →

Mantashe seeks comment on draft regulations enabling municipalities to buy own power

By: Terence Creamer 6th May 2020 Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has released, for public comment, draft amendments to the Electricity Regulations on New Generation Capacity that would enable municipalities “in good financial standing” to develop or procure their own power generation. In a statement,... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe

Lockdown highlights food supply importance

By: Darren Parker 1st May 2020 The Covid-19 outbreak and consequent measures taken by government to combat its spread have highlighted the importance of food supply, says motors and drives company SEW Eurodrive MD Raymond Obermeyer. “We will ensure that we reconsider the areas that we believe will benefit the agriculture... →

RAYMOND OBERMEYER Throughout the lockdown, SEW Eurodrive has continued to assist the agriculture sector as crucial link in the food supply chain.

Privatisation slowly becoming reality

By: Tracy Hancock 20th March 2020 The type of participants attending this year’s Power & Electricity World Africa & The Solar Show are proof that Africa seeks to become less reliant on governments for its electricity supply, says event organiser Terrapinn Power & Electricity World Africa conference producer Caroline Mubima.... →

DRIVEN DISCUSSION The growing adoption of electric vehicles is one trend expected to dominate discussion at Power & Electricity World Africa 2020

Collaboration needed in electrical sector

By: Tracy Hancock 20th March 2020 South Africa’s entire electrical sector needs a “shake up” and a lot more collaboration, Electrical Conformance Board of South Africa (ECBSA) MD Peter Pedrick has learnt since taking up his position in May last year. Historically, South Africa was internationally recognised for its effective... →

FIRE STARTER There has been a significant rise in fire damage in South Africa over the past ten years amid a lack of regulation policing and governance

Re-engineering of coal sector skills needed

By: Tracy Hancock 20th March 2020 The South African renewable-energy sector will not have an adequate pipeline of competent individuals to train if it does not endeavour to re-engineer the skills of workers in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga coal mining regions, South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (Saretec) director Naim... →

Jacobs Transport strives to be a reliable and ethical company, providing its clients with the most efficient services possible.

Renergen’s Free State project shows ‘game changing’ potential for domestic power

By: Simone Liedtke 17th December 2019 Drilling at emerging natural gas and helium producer Renergen’s Virginia project, in the Free State, has progressed through the Karoo Supergroup and successfully intersected gas-charged sandstones and fractures, as was previously expected, the company reported on Monday. The gas was intersected... →

CEO Stefano Marani

Renewable-energy projects well under way

By: Darren Parker 13th December 2019 Construction on several Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) fourth bid window projects are well under way. The REIPPPP fourth window bids include 12 wind farms, 12 solar photovoltaic (PV) projects, a biomass project, a mini-hydro project and a concentrated... →

BLADE RUNNING About half of the turbine components had been delivered to Kangnas and Perdekraal Wind Farms in October

Success of renewables programme continues

By: Darren Parker 13th December 2019 Over the past eight years, the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) has attracted about R209.4-billion in committed private-sector investment, with the successful fourth window bids being valued at about R56-billion. South African companies, such as... →

WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY 27 preferred bidders signed agreements last year and their respective renewable energy projects are well underway

Additional renewable energy development zones proposed

13th December 2019 The second phase of the Strategic Environmental Assessment for wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) energy in South Africa proposes three additional renewable energy development zones for wind and solar PV energy projects. The renewable energy development zones support the responsible implementation... →

RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT ZONES The Phase 2 proposed zones support the responsible implementation of the Integrated Resource Plan 2019

Environmental studies essential to REIPP success

By: Darren Parker 13th December 2019 In most renewable-energy independent power producer (REIPP) project cases, environmental sensitivities can be successfully avoided if developers embrace advice given by environmental consultants during the environmental impact assessment (EIA) stage. This enables developers to better ensure that... →

NOT WINGING IT Embracing the advice given by professional environmental consultants early on can lead to the avoidance of many environmental issues

South Africa to test market for emergency power ‘gap fillers’ as IRP is finalised

By: Terence Creamer 18th October 2019 South Africa will release a request for information (RFI) in the coming weeks to test the market for solutions to close an immediate electricity supply gap of between 2 000 MW and 3 000 MW, which has emerged primarily as a result of a fall in the energy availability factor (EAF) from Eskom’s coal... →

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe on the Integrated Resource Plan 2019 allocations and the need for short-term supply solutions. Camera Work: Kutlwano Matlala. Editing: Nicholas Boyd. Recorded: 18.10.2019

Legislation, waste diverting can drive biogas growth

By: Cameron Mackay 16th August 2019 Changing legislation and the continued strain on landfill space in South Africa is causing a significant drive in the country to divert waste, particularly organic waste, away from landfill sites. Alternative waste solutions provider GCX Zero Waste manager Hein Fourie says this can help to... →

COMPLEX MARKETS Growth of the biofuels sector is slow, as the sector is slowly learning how to accommodate and adapt to South African market conditions

Food processing industry ideal for biogas production

By: Cameron Mackay 16th August 2019 Industries that produce large quantities of organic waste, such as the food processing industry, are ideal for biogas production, says local waste disposal solutions provider Global Energy director Henry Thomson. The Cape Town-based engineering consulting and turnkey project company provides... →

CONFIDENCE IN BIOGAS Establishing credibility in biogas technology is crucial in implementing more projects

Biogas industry has potential to grow

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 14th August 2019 The biogas industry in South Africa is still in its infancy, with lots of potential for further growth. Through industry collaboration and concerted efforts, biogas can play a significant role in the country’s renewable energy space, delegates attending the Southern African Biogas Industry... →

Promising research progress on agrimats

By: Darren Parker 9th August 2019 Research is under way on new technology that aims to convert algae and any other biomass waste, such as bagasse, into organic fertiliser mats, or agrimats, Agricultural Research Council (ARC) senior researcher Dr Khumbulani Dhavu tells Engineering News. The agrimats are manufactured by pressing... →

MULCH PROGRESS BEING MADE The agrimats research project is testing the viability of sustainable organic mulch mat production for commercial use

Respected head of IPP Office, Breytenbach, asked to leave post

By: Terence Creamer 22nd July 2019 The respected head of South Africa’s Independent Power Producer (IPP) Office, Karen Breytenbach, has confirmed to Engineering News Online that she has been asked to vacate her position by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). News of her departure was... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Dylan Slater
Karen Breytenbach

CSIR doubles down on solar PV amid energy-autonomous campus success

By: Donna Slater 12th July 2019 The Pretoria-based headquarters of research organisation the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has almost doubled its commissioning of solar photovoltaic (PV) installed capacity because of its rooftop-mounted fixed-axis solar PV plant exceeding initial performance expectations. →

Release of updated IRP imminent, says Radebe, as he allays coal producers' fears

By: Kim Cloete 14th May 2019 Energy Minister Jeff Radebe has promised that the update of the Integrated Resource Plan, which reflects the government’s policy blueprint for the power sector, will be concluded "very shortly". He told delegates attending the African Utility Week and PowerGEN Africa forum, in Cape Town, on... →

Photo by Bloomberg
Energy Minister Jeff Radebe

IEA says world cannot ‘press pause’ on renewables, as capacity growth stalls

By: Terence Creamer 6th May 2019 The International Energy Agency has expressed concern over the “unexpected flattening” of renewable-energy capacity additions in 2018, which, at 180 GW, remained in line with additions recorded in 2017. It was the first time since 2001 that year-on-year additions of renewable energy failed to... →

Businesses must seek finance to develop renewable energy, energy efficiency projects – Sanedi

By: African News Agency 23rd April 2019 The time is ripe for local businesses to seek finance in order to develop renewable energy and efficiency projects in the face of recent rotational blackouts and rising prices, the South African National Energy Development Institute (Sanedi) said on Tuesday. Sanedi urged businesses to consider... →

Event set to dissect the future of African energy

By: Paige Müller 15th February 2019 The eleventh edition of the Africa Energy Indaba – which will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Johannesburg, from February 19 to 20 this year – will focus on the future prospects and direction of energy on the African continent from an energy provision and investment point of view.... →

AFRICA’S ENERGY FUTURE The Africa Energy Indaba will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Johannesburg, from February 19 and 20 this year

Photo by Duane Daws
AFRICA’S ENERGY FUTURE The Africa Energy Indaba will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Johannesburg, from February 19 and 20 this year

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Black-owned Dartcom appointed as distributor for LONGi Solar in SA

Rooftop and Large Installations

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