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Breaking free from fossil fuel : opportunities and constraints for the renewable energy sector in South Africa

  • Authors: Jim, Ntombikayise
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Climatic changes , Energy consumption - South Africa , Fossil fuels , Energy conservation , Renewable energy sources - Government policy - South Africa , Energy development - Economic aspects - South Africa , Electrification - Economic aspects - South Africa , Greenhouse gases
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/497412 , uj:45377
  • Description: Abstract: Due to South Africa’s reliance on energy generated from fossil fuels, its increasing energy demand and its position as a potential victim and contributor to climate change, investments in renewable energy technologies are considered as a possible solution in addressing these challenges. Furthermore, renewable energy presents potential for South Africa to diversify its energy mix. This study critically examines the opportunities and constraints that currently exist in South Africa’s renewable energy generation sector. Although findings suggest that opportunities exist in South Africa, such as selling electricity outside Eskom, energy storage and electric vehicles, factors such as policy uncertainty, procurement inconsistency, regulatory issues, and a lack of coordination between key industry players, all negatively affect the country’s renewable energy deployment. The case study reveals an urgent need for government to create an enabling environment such as the establishment of sound regulatory frameworks, opening of the markets, removal of barriers to entry, and the promotion of infant green industries. This study recommends that South Africa’s renewable energy regulations are constantly reviewed in order to promote the deployment of green energy technologies. As the global challenges of climate change require many countries to transition into a low carbon economy, it is of utmost significance that energy strategies are constantly evaluated in order to ensure their relevance and effectiveness. Other study recommendations include access to funding, procurement consistency, access to the grid and the reduction of foreign participation on REIPPPP (Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme) to promote the participation of local companies. Key words: climate change, emissions, renewable energy, industrial policy, REIPPPP, minerals energy complex. , M.Phil. (Industrial Policy)
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Data validation in life cycle assessment review

Impact of vehicle emissions in the pharmaceutical distribution sector

  • Authors: Moses, Ralton
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Air - Pollution , Freight and freightage , Greenhouse gases , Climatic changes
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/292259 , uj:31758
  • Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Abstract: A far-reaching change in the world’s economy has led to a mind-set alteration where supply chain has progressed from a conventional one-dimensional process to one that now consists of complexities and uncertainties never before experienced. With the increase in complexities, there has also been an upsurge in the movement of goods by different modes of transportation, most noticeably within the road freight industry. The increase in road freight transportation has resulted in an upsurge in the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere, leading to climate change. The adverse effects of these GHG have intensified concerns from various stakeholders, consumers and societies at large, with a fundamental consequence being organisations having to implement sustainable supply chain initiatives to reduce and / or mitigate their GHG emissions. The objective of this study was to evaluate and measure the CO2 emissions of DSV Healthcare’s commercial vehicle fleet at their Meadowview Distribution Centre. The sub-objectives were to extrapolate the vehicle CO2 emissions of DSV Healthcare’s commercial vehicle fleet from existing vehicle tracking reports such as driver log books, fleet control registers, and invoices for diesel; to examine government’s CO2 targets and ascertain DSV Healthcare’s alignment with these targets; to evaluate the impact of vehicle CO2 emissions at DSV Healthcare on the operational and financial performance of the organisation using existing company data; and to determine the appropriate strategy that can be implemented to mitigate CO2 emissions for DSV Healthcare’s commercial vehicle fleet. For the purpose of this study, the researcher only conducted secondary data sourcing and analysis. The study has shown that DSV Healthcare is able to quantify their vehicle CO2 emissions with the information and resources currently at their disposal. The study also revealed that DSV Healthcare has inefficiencies in its operation which contribute towards its vehicle CO2 emissions. However, this can be countered by incorporating a CO2 mitigation strategy into the organisation’s strategy.
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The carbon dioxide adsorption behaviour of geological samples of the South-Eastern Main Karoo Basin, South Africa

  • Authors: Abraham, Rowen
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Greenhouse gases , Carbon dioxide mitigation , Porous materials , Electric power production - Environmental aspects , Adsorption
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/292498 , uj:31787
  • Description: Abstract: Carbon dioxide capture and geological storage has been recognised as an essential technique used to reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. The potential storage basin should consist of enough vacant space in the form of pore-spaces, and supercritical CO2 must remain stable within the reservoir rock for storage to be feasible. This study considers the porosity and CO2 adsorption capacity of potential seal or reservoir rock types with a depth of > 800 m, taken from the Willowvale area, South-Eastern Karoo Basin, South Africa. Samples were extracted from a borehole core drilled as part of the Karin project. The samples were selected at depths between ~ 800 – 2100 m, and the borehole intercepted most of the Main Karoo Basin stratigraphy. The samples consisted of typical rocks identified throughout the Karoo Basin: sandstones, shales, and dolerites. A variety of analytical techniques were used to predict storage or seal potential, including microscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET), and High Pressure Volumetric Analysis (HPVA). The mineralogy was determined using thin section petrography and confirmed by XRD. The sandstone samples consisted of: quartz; albite; chlorite; orthoclase, and muscovite; one sandstone sample (KWV-6) contained carbonates (dolomite). Typically, the shale samples consisted of: quartz; albite; chlorite; muscovite. The carbonaceous samples (KWV-14 and KWV-16) have clay (illite) and carbonate (calcite) compositions. The dolerites samples generally consist of: albite; anorthite, quartz, and diopside, dominated by plagioclase. Porosity was determined both in thin section, through the microscopic assessment of dyed epoxy resin, and by BET. Microscopically, visible porosity was only found in sandstone samples KWV-2 and KWV-6 as isolated spaces within the rock. BET porosity was found to be very low, ranging between 0.995 – 1.5 % (vol. %) and 0.0032 – 0.0.0045 cm3/g pore volumes. The CO2 adsorption assessment by a High Pressure Volumetric Analyser conducted at the Illinois State Geological Survey, was problematic. Quantities of CO2 adsorbed onto the rock samples were exaggerated, but the isothermal trends generated were usable. The isothermal trends and shapes of the graphs are comparable to literature in relation to their corresponding lithotypes. Excess adsorption ranges between 1.7 – 0.001 mol/g. Inflection points on isotherms were found with pressure ranges of ~5 – 10 MPa, where maximum adsorption was observed. The results show that the rock samples of the South-Eastern Main Karoo Basin have the potential to adsorb CO2, some more so than others. Dolerites were found to be the least adsorptive and the carbonaceous shale of the Whitehill Formation was found to adsorb the most CO2. Hence, the dolerite could be considered as a suitable seal, and the Whitehill Formation as both a storage reservoir or seal. , M.Sc. (Geology)
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The South African water industry : an energy-water-greenhouse gas nexus evaluation

  • Authors: Madolo, S.D.
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Water - Distribution - Management , Water leakage - South Africa , Greenhouse gases , Sewage disposal plants , Water - South Africa - Distribution
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/365261 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/269325 , uj:28611
  • Description: M.Ing. (Engineering Management) , Abstract: Water, energy and Greenhouse Gases (GHG) are components that are dependent on each other. Water is needed for the production of energy for fuel extraction, cooling power plants, processing of fossil fuels. In water cycles, energy is needed for, pumping, treatment and distribution of water and wastewater to and from customers. In South Africa (SA), the energy used in the water industry is generated mostly from fossil fuels, which has a significant negative impact on the environment. In light of this relationship, there is a growing recognition by energy practitioners that saving water helps save energy and GHGs that are associated with the production of electricity. This research reviews a representative subset of the SA water industry to evaluate energy efficiency and harmful gas emissions optimisation potential. This is in line with the commitment the South African government has made in the Paris Agreement of 2015. The first component of this study focuses on the review of the current energy efficiency in water distribution systems in SA. On the basis of the literature review, three technologies or practices are identified as being imperative in optimising water utilities in SA, to be more energy efficient; leak management, use of variable speed drives (VSD); and energy production from wastewater treatment plants. The second component of this study involved the implementation of some performance indicators that show the interdependence of water loss, energy consumption and CO2, NOX and SOX emissions. These indicators are used to compare a few possible mitigation scenarios involving water loss reduction and increasing the system’s energy efficiency. The proposed indicators were applied to a complex urban water supply system serving the city of Johannesburg (CoJ). The CoJ water network has 7 regions, 89 water reservoirs, 10 depots, 28 water towers, 6 wastewater works,31 water & 35 sewer pump stations, 92 164 valves & hydrants and 12 581 of water pipelines supplying approximately 1574 Ml/day. The current pumping systems for all seven regions within CoJ are analysed and compared with an alternative pumping system which uses VSDs. The difference in energy consumption and greenhouse emissions in the two systems is noted. The potential energy generation from wastewater treatment plant is also investigated and compared to current practice at these facilities within CoJ. The presented scenario analysis (use of VSD, leak management and co-generation of electricity) concluded on the following:..
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