Energy
Agricultural and biological engineering
A healthy environment, safe and ample food and water, clean fuel and energy sources, and the provision of these essentials for life are all made possible by agricultural and biological engineering. It also aids in the preservation of the environment. It is the application of engineering concepts to any procedure involved in the management of…
Read MoreSouth Africa could produce a lot more renewable energy
South Africa’s power utility, Eskom, has not been able to provide a steady electricity supply for several years now. At the start of the 2022 winter the utility warned the public to expect up to 100 days with rolling power outages. At the end of June there was at times a 6,000 MW shortfall in electricity supply, which…
Read MoreSolar Steam Distillation Technology in Oils Extraction
Wild exotic oils play an important role in the societies in Africa and globally, from a flavour, fragrance, and aromatherapy perspective. South Africa, a country with a strong history of traditional healing, hosts a variety of more than 30,000 plant species which account for almost 10% of the world’s higher plants habitant in the country.…
Read MoreFloating solar farms could cool down lakes
Solar power is now the cheapest source of electricity in history, according to a 2020 report by the International Energy Agency. But there is something holding this clean energy powerhouse back: space. Unlike fossil fuel power stations, solar farms need a lot of room to generate enough electricity to keep up with demand. Most solar farms are composed…
Read MoreOffshore wind energy could help solve SA’s energy woes
We still rely heavily on coal to generate electricity, but with an ageing fleet of coal-fired power plants we should perhaps start to tap into our abundant offshore wind energy resources to help address future electricity shortages. “If we were to install wind turbines at different depths off the KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape coast, they…
Read MoreRenewable Energy: An opportunity in a time of crisis
South Africa’s total domestic electricity generation capacity is 51,309 MW from all sources. Approximately 91.2%, or 46 776 MW, comes from thermal coal power stations, while 4 533 MW is generated from renewable energy sources. Eskom, the state-owned utility, dominates the power sector. South Africa experienced scheduled power cuts for short periods in 2018 and…
Read MoreWeights show the way to cheap stored power
New ways to generate renewable electricity will offer cheap stored power and a solution to balancing supply and demand. Finding effective ways to store energy until it’s needed is a major obstacle for the renewable electricity revolution, but two new mechanical systems mean cheap stored power could soon be widely available. Cheaper than batteries, both…
Read MoreScience can double the solar dividend
Researchers have found three new ways to double the solar dividend, making the sun work harder and deliver more to the renewable economy. A new, translucent material made of little more than silica and air can double the solar dividend, collecting solar heat and raising temperatures to 200°C, delivering new ways to heat homes or…
Read MoreLoad Shedding: Is Renewable Energy the solution?
New studies form UCT suggests that South Africa should transition from nuclear power plants to cleaner renewable energy. The transition could mean cheaper and a more reliable energy source, as load shedding has increased significantly. Research conducted by the Inclusive Economic Development Program at the University of Cape Town’s Energy Research Centre, suggests the future…
Read MoreFirst commercial floating solar farm in Africa
From the ongoing issues at Eskom to the chemicals being sprayed and the high energy needs of farms, the agricultural sector is looking to become more financially and environmentally sustainable through green energy solutions like the first commercial floating solar farm in Africa. On 1 March 2019, media personnel as well as individuals from trade…
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