Global power management firm charts a path towards sustainable power for Af...

CAPE TOWN – Microgrid energy systems that incorporate energy storage and renewable energy can be effectively used to address Africa’s challenges of energy access, resiliency, and cost, global power management company Eaton Africa said on Friday.

Eaton Africa said it would be highlighting its drive to provide reliable and sustainable electricity access for all during the upcoming African Utility Week conference, taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from May 14 -16.

“Our key objective is to enable broad access to energy-efficient solutions to Africa that help consumers manage power in a safe, cost-efficient and sustainable manner,” said Seydou Kane, Eaton South Africa’s managing director.

Kane will join other executives within the power and energy sector for the Utility CEO Forum, in which they will discuss utilities’ operational challenges, particularly in a fast-developing market.

The nineteenth edition of African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa is the continent’s leading conference and exhibition in the sector. It is expected to attract more than 10,000 senior level executives, 300 renowned speakers, 350 exhibitors, and 77 utilities and municipalities. South Africa’s Energy Minister Jeff Radebe is due to deliver the opening keynote address at the conference.

Eaton’s senior application leader in microgrid energy systems, Bunty Kiremire said: “Innovations in energy storage and microgrid technology that incorporate renewables are especially important to Africa, where energy access levels average 42 percent, with some countries having access rates as low as 15 percent of the overall population.”

Most commercial, industrial and residential customers who do have access to energy still face issues with respect to the availability and resilience of power, he added.

Source: https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/energy/global-power-management-firm-charts-a-path-towards-sustainable-power-for-africa-22976515

5 BUDGET-FRIENDLY WAYS TO PLAN MORE SUSTAINABLE EVENTS

Feeling powerless to make your events more sustainable? Want to make your events greener without having to ask your boss for permission or spending more money?

In her recent webinar, “5 No-Cost Ways to Green Your Events,” Julia Spangler, sustainable events consultant, offered tips for accomplishing just that, providing actions that event planners can implement right away to create more Earth-friendly events.

“Sustainable, zero-waste event planning can provide unexpected cost savings related to printing, event supplies, catering orders and more,” Spangler said in the webinar. “They may even allow you to surprise your boss with cost savings you didn’t expect, proving that green is not only good for your team but also for your business.”

Here’s how you can start making your events more sustainable today.

Talking about sustainability is how event professionals help the industry move toward a more sustainable future, so take the initiative by letting your vendors know that sustainability matters to you. Start by asking if they offer any sustainable options, as they may have some you haven’t taken advantage of simply because you haven’t asked.

“One of the most frequent comments I hear from vendors is that their clients aren’t requesting sustainability, while on the other hand, event planners simply assume their vendors are already being sustainable, so they don’t ask about it,” Spangler said. “This miscommunication is one of the biggest hurdles preventing events from becoming greener, but it’s also one of the easiest barriers to overcome, so all it takes is asking the question.”

If you’re involved in sending out RFPs, consider including a simple Sustainability Expectations clause, she added.

While going paperless by putting all your event collateral online or in a mobile app is one of the top ways to make your event greener, creating an app isn’t a simple process, and it also requires a budget and boss approval. Even events that don’t print programs usually have some paper items, such as menus, signs and table tents. So while having a paperless event is a great goal to aspire to, you can be more sustainable with what you do print by being more efficient.

The size and shape of your print project affect how efficiently it prints. Most professional print jobs will start with printing multiple copies of a project on a large rectangular sheet of paper called a parent sheet, and depending on the size and shape of your project, more or less of that sheet will be left blank or wasted, Spangler explained.

“Always ask your printer how many copies of your project fit onto one sheet of paper and ask them if changing the size will allow more copies to fit,” Spangler advised. “Paper is one of the main expenses for a professionally printed project, so using less will result in noticeable cost savings.”

According to Spangler, travel is the top contributor of greenhouse gas emissions from events, and if your event draws attendees from across the [...]

CLEAN, AFFORDABLE RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR SOMALILAND

The diversification of Somaliland’s energy mix, and the strengthening of energy security will help address the high costs of electricity which is a significant barrier to growth. During Esres Phase 1 (September 2015 – August 2018), the programme supported the MoEM to develop a policy and regulatory framework and implemented a pilot to establish six hybrid mini-grids that are now fully operational across Somaliland.

The second phase, Esres II (September 2018 to 2021), will expand its investment in renewable energy through the Somaliland Renewable Energy Fund (SREF). This investment will help increase affordability and accessibility through lower tariffs and more connections. Esres II will partner with local energy service providers to develop hybrid mini grids through a cost sharing arrangement.

“The biggest beneficiary of this new phase of Esres will be the people of Somaliland who will now pay significantly less for their electricity – building on the successes of the first phase of the programme, we believe this new phase will help promote sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty in Somaliland,” Phil Evans, head, DFID Somalia, said:

Speaking during the launch second phase of the Esres programme, event held in Hargeisa, the Director of Energy, Liban Mohamed at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals said:

“We believe this event is crucial for the Somaliland Renewable Energy Fund under the Esres Programme. This event will encourage all of us to share our ideas, coordinate our efforts and synchronise our thinking towards the success of this programme.”

Source: https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/195/704/190333.html