Search

South Africa's has been battling with energy crisis for many years, and with the ongoing power cuts, the nation has been plunged into darkness experienced almost every day in major cities such as Johannesburg. This paper conceptualises and positions the role of electrical and mechanical energy in food processing and preparation within South Africa's low-income households. The study aims to understand how households' choices and decisions made around food access, preparation and storage are affected by energy infrastructure. Urban studies on informality show that energy is a key input in food processing, preparation, and storage. This study focused on the intersection of infrastructure systems and sought to understand the energy needs and livelihoods strategies of South Africa's low-income households. A secondary focus of this study was on indigent energy policies that supports the provision and access of energy services to indigent households in South Africa. The study adopted a case study approach, low-income households' energy needs in Alexandra township, Johannesburg. This study utilised in-depth interviews and policy document reviews. Data was analysed using correlation and cross-tabulation methods. Findings reveal that measures adopted by the city authorities in the provisioning and access to infrastructure are largely fragmented and uncoordinated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global economy faces increasing environmental challenges and economic instability, prompting the adoption of innovative energy technologies as a crucial strategy. This study addresses the urgent quest for sustainable development in South Africa, specifically by evaluating renewable energy solutions. This study utilizes a comprehensive literature analysis to examine the current state of renewable energy infrastructure, policy frameworks, technological advancements, and economic viability within the South African context. Synthesizing insights from the existing literature on the interplay between energy, economy, and technology, this study aims to provide a refined understanding of renewable energy solutions' feasibility and integration potential. The exploration of these solutions in South Africa identifies key opportunities, challenges, and implications for sustainable development. These findings offer valuable guidance for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders in advancing a country's transition towards a sustainable energy future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many citizens in countries now accept that there is a need to adapt to climate change and to invest in renewable resources. This paper contributes to the planning of energy development in South Africa. Currently, South Africa is faced with a crisis in energy security with 'load shedding' resulting in hours without power. Coal, a fossil fuel, is the main source for energy in South Africa with negative effects for the environment and human health. To provide security over the future supply of domestic energy, the technique of fracking on and offshore is being advanced as an alternative by government which has been granting exploratory fracking licences. A review of the literature at the nexus of fracking, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ecosystem services was undertaken from a triple risk lens (Prpich & Coulon 2018). The findings indicate that fracking operations may create a short-lived economic boom but there is substantive scholarly evidence on the immense long-term risks for both the environment and human health. The impact of land use changes through fracking and the risks of fracking operations for ecosystems, climate change and achieving the SDGs of Agenda 2030 are evident and form a 'self-reinforcing loop'. We conclude that if fracking is predominantly being perceived from a prism of its economic benefits, then economic value needs to be attached to all the services that are provided by ecosystems. Thus, we recommend that an ecosystem services assessment must precede the granting of fracking licences to evaluate whether fracking is a viable option. It is also suggested that compensatory justice, be included as a policy measure for rehabilitation of the land where fracking has already commenced. In conclusion, we assert that healthy, environmentally sustainable living conditions need to be provided for all citizens and investment is needed to support adequate renewable energy infrastructure, a pre-requisite for government's Just Energy Transformation (JET). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Institutions of higher learning in South Africa are grappling with occasional power outages in lecture halls, leading to disruptions in academic activities and occasional loss of lecture hours. Therefore, this study presents a comprehensive evaluation of a grid-connected solar PV/Li-ion battery microgrid (μG) system aimed at maintaining a constant power supply to selected lecture halls at a university in the Western Cape, South Africa. The microgrid design, modelling, and simulations, conducted in the MATLAB/Simulink environment, include the solar PV, Li-ion battery, energy consumption of the lecture halls (load profile), boost converter, bidirectional converter, and grid. Using the detailed design, modelling, and simulation, the study evaluates the economic and environmental impacts of integrating μGs, focusing on enhancing energy reliability, reducing operational costs, and mitigating CO2 emissions. The results indicate that integrating the microgrid resulted in a significant 51% reduction in energy cost and a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by 530 kgCO2e per hour. In Cases 2 and 4, where the battery supplied power, the annual battery degradation costs are 6.08% and 14.9% of the initial cost, respectively. The μG ensures an uninterrupted power supply and improves the overall reliability of the university's energy infrastructure. It promotes environmental sustainability goals of zero emissions and maintains continuous academic activities during grid outages. Furthermore, it fosters a conducive learning environment, supports innovation and creativity in sustainable energy technologies, and sets a standard for other higher education institutions to integrate renewable energy-powered μGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of public investment on private investment in South Africa using the autoregressive distributed-lag (ARDL) and nonlinear ARDL bounds testing approach for the period from 1980 to 2018. The ARDL results show that public investment crowds in private investment in the long and short run. The NARDL results indicate that the negative shock in public investment leads to a decrease in private investment in the long and short run. The results show that public investment has an asymmetric impact on private investment in South Africa. The study recommends that government increase investment in infrastructure such as energy, roads and railways, among others, in order to promote private investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]