Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa is experiencing an energy shortage and volatile supply of electricity. This situation is placing pressure on businesses and citizens and is opening avenues into the renewable sector. This study investigates servicisation as a potential means to assist in the alleviation of energy consumption on the national power grid, and answers whether servicisation in the solar water heating sector could pose as a viable business venture. The main research goal was to investigate whether servicisation within a housing estate could be favourably received. The majority of residents in this high-income bracket were more willing to invest their own capital in renewables rather than being provided with a solar water heater through servicisation. Knowledge of solar water heating is extremely poor amongst consumers, and this contributes to the lack of penetration of solar water heaters in the industry to date. To further exacerbate the situation, installations are often poorly executed, leading to negative experiences by consumers. Initially it was assumed that post 2012, all homes built would be installed with solar geysers or heat pumps, due to legislation. However, surprisingly this was not the case, as a large portion of homes built between 2012 & 2013 have not complied with this legislation.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Elektrisiteit is ʼn basiese bron van energie in hedendaagse huishoudings en besighede. Die behoefte na deurlopende elektrisiteit neem toe terwyl die huidige elektrisiteitsverskaffer, ESKOM, ook nie aan die huidige vraag na elektrisiteit kan voorsien nie. Verdere beperkings is die infrastruktuur. Die infrastruktuur is nie so ontwikkel dat elektrisiteit aan 100 persent van die bevolking verskaf kan word nie. Alle plase het nie toegang tot die huidige ESKOM roosterstelsel nie of dit is onprakties om ʼn dienslyn te bou vir die gerief van elektrisiteit. Gevolglik was die meeste boerderybedrywighede in die verlede afhanklik van dieselkragopwekkers. Die gebruik van sonenergie het egter aantrekliker geword en het moontlik meer ekonomies en prakties geword en bied ook ʼn deurlopende krag opsie. Sonstralingsvlakke in Suid Afrika is die hoogste in die wêreld. Die Noord-Kaap word ingesluit in daardie areas in SA wat uiters geskik is vir PV aanlegte. In lande soos Ethiopië en die VSA is sonenergie met PV-tegnologie met groot sukses aangewend in landbouomstandighede vir die voorsiening van elektrisiteit wat ook in SA met sukses aangewend kan word met die uiters geskikte sonbestralingsvlakke. Die grootste voordeel van sonenergie is die oorvloedige beskikbaarheid van die energiebron in SA. Verder is dit volhoubaar, omgewingsvriendelik, hernubaar en heeltemal gratis. Daar is geen bewegende onderdele nie, gevolglik is daar geen geraasbesoedeling nie en is die bedryfskostes van ʼn sonenergie stelsel baie laag. Die nadeel van sonenergie is dat PV-aanlegte slegs elektrisiteit kan opwek wanneer die son skyn. Energiebergingsisteme is nodig om hierdie nadeel te oorbrug of ʼn aanvullende energiebron soos wind moet gebruik word om die tekort aan te vul. Kapitaalspandering is die grootste hindernis in die oprigting van hernubare energiestelsels aangesien dit op een stadium spandeer moet word. Sonenergie is die gewildste energiebron binne die landbousektor in die Noord-Kaap en word deur 88.57 persent van die respondente gebruik terwyl slegs 28.57 persent van die respondente dieselkragopwekkers beskikbaar het as rugsteun fasiliteit vir elektrisiteitvoorsiening. Die belangrikste redes waarom daar oorgeskakel is na sonenergie, was om deurlopende elektrisiteit te verseker en die vermindering van tradisionele energieverbruik. Die studie toon dat sonenergie, oor ʼn 15 jaar leeftyd, ʼn derde van die koste van fossielbrandstowwe kos, alhoewel daar groter aanvanklike kapitaalspandering betrokke is wat as ʼn struikelblok gesien word. Die statistiek wat in die ondersoek versamel is dui daarop dat sonenergie suksesvol aangewend word om te voorsien aan die elektrisiteitbehoeftes van die respondente binne die Noord-Kaap geografiese gebied. Daar is egter geen twyfel dat sonenergie suksesvol, effektief, doeltreffend en ekonomies aangewend kan word as ʼn plaasvervanger vir energie uit fossielbrandstof, binne die landbousektor, op klein en medium skaal in die Noord-Kaap.

The increase in the number of guest houses is applausive for its socio-economic benefits through income generation, job creation and entrepreneurship growth. However, the increase in the number of guest houses is proportional to energy demand. Thus, increase in energy efficient guest houses is more desirable in order to achieve sustainable development. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess energy efficiency in selected guest houses in Mpumalanga province Through in-depth literature analysis, an energy efficiency framework that builds on and advances the input-output ration and energy saving model was developed. This framework has five indicators which are categorised into financial and nonfinancial, namely: energy quantity, cost, carbon equivalence, services quantity and quality. The framework clarified the differences between energy saving and energy efficiency, while it identifies energy saving and services levels as two parameters or components of energy efficiency. This framework was later implemented and used to assess energy efficiency in eight selected guest houses in Mpumalanga province. To assess energy efficiency using the framework, three standard or common services in guest houses such as indoor lighting, water heating and indoor thermal comfort were assessed for energy saving and compliance with industry standards. The results of the assessment were analysed through descriptive statistical and explanatory methods. Using the framework, the study found that few of the selected guest houses did save energy in one or more of the standards services. However, some methods used in the guest houses were found to be highly costly and resulted in high energy quantity consumption and high carbon footprint. Thus, these methods failed the test for characterisation of energy saving methods. Furthermore, the study found that all indoor lighting services didn’t meet minimum industry standards for indoor lighting of 100lux. All water heating standards were compliant, while indoor thermal comfort standards differed among guest houses. Thus, none of the guest houses met the minimum criteria for characterisation as being energy-efficient. However, different services qualified. Hence, the findings confirm that the energy efficiency framework was effective and reliable in the characterisation of energy-efficient guest houses. This framework builds on and advances the input-output ratio and energy saving models previously used. / Environmental Sciences / PhD (Environmental Management)

Thesis (MPhil (Sustainable Development Planning and Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / The research objective of this assignment is to investigate technological options for sustainable energy solutions in the residences of Stellenbosch University. Conventional energy systems are contributing towards the degradation of global environmental sustainability. An alternative energy future exists if sustainable energy solutions, via renewable energy or energy efficiency, are adopted but these solutions await the political will and institutional governance to be implemented. A niche group of universities are modelling themselves around the sustainable energy agenda. As institutional spaces of learning, research and breeding grounds for new ways of thinking, universities stand poised to engage future leaders with local solutions to global energy dilemmas. It is argued that sustainable energy is necessary, it is possible and other universities are implementing it in various formats. The author of this thesis, a student at Stellenbosch University, was prompted to ask: what opportunities exist for Stellenbosch University to implement sustainable energy? The research objective focused on end use energy efficiency as means, out of all the technical options theoretically possible today, to implement sustainable energy solutions in the residences of Stellenbosch University. The focus of end use efficiency was specific to water heating, lighting and appliance use, for which technical solutions exist. This exploratory research was conducted via a macro, secondary data analysis of the quantitative data which detailed the energy consumption of residences in kilowatt hours as well as a micro, case study to facilitate a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the behavioural and leadership dynamics involved with technological implementation. The findings revealed that end use energy efficiency is a possible means for sustainable energy use within the residences of Stellenbosch University. However, the use of heat pump water heating technology in the majority of the residences and the omission of air conditioning in the residences results that the greatest potential for energy efficiency measures are not available. The centralised kitchen infrastructure requires highly rated equipment to deal with the swift throughput of meal times during the residences. The remaining focus areas of energy consumption, residential living, therefore, poses the greatest opportunity for end use energy efficiency. This posits residential lighting and appliance use as the focal point of the investigation. The findings concluded recommended courses of action for the University, residential leaders and students. The holistic and integrated approach to the research objective, guided by systems thinking and ecological design, capacitates actors at three different levels to pro actively implement end use energy efficiency. A by product of the micro, case study was a tool which the new Green House Committee members can now use to identify key points of energy efficiency and energy conservation in their residences. The local solutions generated by this thesis significantly contributed towards taking the first step towards mitigating global, national and community problems. Sustainable energy solutions are necessary, available and being implemented in other universities. End use energy efficiency, as a means to sustainable energy, is necessary, available and possible to implement within the residences of Stellenbosch University. / Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies

The increase in the number of guest houses is applausive for its socio-economic benefits through income generation, job creation and entrepreneurship growth. However, the increase in the number of guest houses is proportional to energy demand. Thus, increase in energy efficient guest houses is more desirable in order to achieve sustainable development. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess energy efficiency in selected guest houses in Mpumalanga province Through in-depth literature analysis, an energy efficiency framework that builds on and advances the input-output ration and energy saving model was developed. This framework has five indicators which are categorised into financial and nonfinancial, namely: energy quantity, cost, carbon equivalence, services quantity and quality. The framework clarified the differences between energy saving and energy efficiency, while it identifies energy saving and services levels as two parameters or components of energy efficiency. This framework was later implemented and used to assess energy efficiency in eight selected guest houses in Mpumalanga province. To assess energy efficiency using the framework, three standard or common services in guest houses such as indoor lighting, water heating and indoor thermal comfort were assessed for energy saving and compliance with industry standards. The results of the assessment were analysed through descriptive statistical and explanatory methods. Using the framework, the study found that few of the selected guest houses did save energy in one or more of the standards services. However, some methods used in the guest houses were found to be highly costly and resulted in high energy quantity consumption and high carbon footprint. Thus, these methods failed the test for characterisation of energy saving methods. Furthermore, the study found that all indoor lighting services didn’t meet minimum industry standards for indoor lighting of 100lux. All water heating standards were compliant, while indoor thermal comfort standards differed among guest houses. Thus, none of the guest houses met the minimum criteria for characterisation as being energy-efficient. However, different services qualified. Hence, the findings confirm that the energy efficiency framework was effective and reliable in the characterisation of energy-efficient guest houses. This framework builds on and advances the input-output ratio and energy saving models previously used. / Environmental Sciences / PhD (Environmental Management)

Thesis (M. Tech. (Mech. Eng.)) -- Central University of Technology, Free state, 2010 / The purpose of this research is to minimize the use of active systems in providing thermal comfort in single-family detached, middle to high income residential buildings in Bloemfontein. The typical case study house was selected according to the criteria as reviewed by Mathews et al., (1999). Measurements were taken for seven days (18 – 24 May 2009). The measurements were carried out in the winter period for Bloemfontein, South Africa. Ecolog TH1, humidity and temperature data logger was used in doing the measurements. These measurements included indoor temperatures and indoor relative humidity. Temperature swings of 8.43 ºC and thermal lag of 1 hour were observed. For the period of seven days (168 hours), the house was thermally comfortable for 84 hours. Thermal analysis for the base case house was done using Ecotect™ (building analysis software) and the simulated results were compared with the measured results. A mean bias error (MBE) of between 10.3% ≤≤11.5% was obtained on the initial calibration. The final calibration of the model yielded error between0.364% ≤≤0.365%. The final calibration model which presented a small error was adopted as the base case. Passive strategies were incorporated to the Ecotect™ model (final calibrated model) singly and in combination; then both thermal and space load simulations were obtained and compared to simulations from the original situation (base case) for assessing improvements in terms of thermal comfort and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) energy consumption. Annual HVAC electricity savings of up to 55.2 % were obtained from incorporating passive strategies in combination. Incorporating passive strategies resulted in small improvements in thermal comfort.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Low-income households in the Western Cape primarily use small electrical kettles to heat water for bathing and cleaning. This energy usage pattern is problematic in that; • It is based on unsustainable energy sources that cause environmental degradation, • Electricity is becoming more expensive in South Africa which strains the limited income of poorer households and • The national utility, Eskom, is struggling to meet the demand for electricity. If energy-intensive development paths are followed these problems will escalate further. Solar water heating offers a synergic (Max-Neef 1991), if partial, solution for the situation. By decoupling hot water usage from increased electricity usage, solar water heaters (SWHs) can reduce electricity demand and thus environmental degradation. The large quantities of hot water (relative to electrical kettles) that they provide also fulfil a developmental service by improving quality of life and personal health. The manufacturing and installation of solar water heaters could serve as a further catalyst for development by providing opportunities for economic development. Unfortunately the high capital cost of SWHs remains a barrier to the rollout of the technology in lower income groups. The objective of this thesis is to contribute to the elimination of this barrier through providing insight into; the hot water requirements of low-income households, the potential electricity and carbon emission savings that solar water heaters present, and the cost drivers and job creation potential of the solar water heating value chain. The research hypothesis is that: Solar water heaters (SWHs) are a potential synergic satisfier to achieve sustainable development in low income communities by providing an improved energy service, reducing environmental degradation and creating employment opportunities. The high price of the technology makes intervention in the form of subsidies and/or regulation from the appropriate level(s) of government critical for the realisation of this potential. The methodology used to test the hypothesis is quantitative and qualitative in nature with data obtained through a survey of 90 low-income households in Stellenbosch, a behavioural study of two households wherein solar water heaters were installed and a value chain analysis of the SWH industry in the Western Cape. The key findings of the research include that, SWHs offer a real improvement in quality of life for low-income households and that they reduce electricity consumption relative to a level of development. The key barrier to cost reductions in the solar water heating industry is found to be the small size of the industry which leads to an inability to source material, especially copper, at competitive prices. It is proposed that government sponsored rollout programs could alleviate this barrier, leading to the development of a robust industry. Job creation potential is found to be relatively small but a suggested rollout programme for SWHs in the Western Cape shows that the benefits of the technology can be realised and several thousand jobs created in a fiscally prudent manner. The thesis is focuses on households from LSM categories 5-8 in the Western Cape Province. Stellenbosch Municipality is used as a specific case study area. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Lae-inkomste huishoudings in die Wes-Kaap gebruik klein elektriese ketels as hul primêre water verhittingstoestel vir bad en skoonmaak aktiwiteite. Hierdie energie verbruik patroon is problematies in dat; • Dit gebaseer is op onvolhoubare energie bronne wat skadelik is vir die omgewing, • Elektrisiteit duurder word in suid afrika, en sodoende druk plaas op die beperkete inkomste van armer huishoudings en • Die nasionale elektrisiteitsdiensverskaffer, eskom, sukkel om te voldoen aan die vraag vir elektrisiteit. As energie-intensiewe ontwikkelings paaie gevolg word sal hierdie probleme verder vererger. Son water verhitting bied 'n sinergiese (Max-Neef 1991), dog gedeeltelike, oplossing vir die situasie. Deur warm water verbruik te ontkoppel van toenemende elektrisiteitsverbruik kan son water verwarmers (SWVs) die vraag na elektrisiteit en dus omgewingskade verminder. Die groot hoeveelhede warm water (relatief tot 'n elektriese ketel) wat die toestelle voorsien vervul ook 'n ontwikkelingsdiens deur verbeterde lewenskwaliteit en persoonlike gesondheid mee te bring. Die vervaardiging en installeering van SWVs kan dien as 'n verdere katalisator vir ontwikkeling deur geleenthede vir ekonomiese ontwikkeling te skep. Ongelukkig bly die hoë kapitaal koste van SWVs 'n struikelblok tot die verspreiding van die tegnologie in lae inkomste groepe. Die doelwit van hierdie tesis is om by te dra tot die verwydering van hierdie struikelblok deur insig te gee oor; die warm water benodigheid in lae-inkomste huishoudings, die potensiële elektrisiteit-en koolstofbesparings wat SWVs inhou, en die koste drywers en werkskepping potensiaal van die sonwaterverwarmer waarde ketting. Die navorsingshipotese is dat: Son water verwarmers 'n potensiële sinergiese bevrediger is vir die bereik van volhoubare ontwikkeling in lae-inkomse gemeenskappe deurdat dit 'n verbeterde energie diens voorsien, omgewingskade verminder en werksgeleenthede skep. Die hoë prys van die tegnologie verorsaak dat ingryping deur die toepaslike vlak(ke) van regering, deur middel van subsidies en/of regulasie, benodig word om die potensiaal daarvan te verwesenlik. Die metodologie wat gebruik word om die hipotese te toets is kwantitatief en kwalitatief van aard met data wat verkry word deur 'n opname onder 90 lae-inkomste huishoudings in Stellenbosch, 'n gedragstudie van twee huishoudings waarin SWVs geinstalleer is en 'n waardekettinganalise van die SWV industrie in die Wes-Kaap. Die sleutel gevolgtrekkings van die navorsing sluit in dat, sonwaterverwarmers 'n werklike verbetering in die kwaliteit van lewe van lae-inkomste huishoudings meebring en dat hulle elektrisiteitsverbruik relatief tot 'n vlak van ontwikkeling verminder. Die hoof struikelblok tot koste verminderings in die SWV industrie word gevind in die klein grootte van die industrie wat lei tot die onvermoë om materiaal, veral koper, teen kompeterende pryse aan te koop. Dit word voorgestel dat regeringsondersteunde verspreidingsprogramme hierdie struikelblok kan verwyder en dat dit sal lei tot die ontwikkeling van 'n gesonde industrie. Werkskeppingspotensiaal word gevind om relatief klein te wees, maar 'n voorgestelde verspreidings program vir SWVs in die Wes-Kaap wys dat die voordele van SWVs gerealiseer kan word en etlike duisend werksgeleenthede geskep kan word op 'n finansieel verantwoordelike wyse. Die tesis fokus op huishoudings in die LSM kategorieë 5-8 in die Wes-Kaap provinsie. Stellenbosch munisipaliteit word gebruik as n spesifieke gevallestudie area. / Sponsored by the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa is facing an energy crisis on two levels; the existing capacity to supply electricity is unable to support future growth in demand, and the electricity being produced comes mostly from coal-fired power stations with associated emission problems. The South African government has a target for renewable energy to service 23% of the country’s energy consumption by 2013. This could potentially be realised through achievement of another government target, the installation of one million Solar Water Heaters (SWHs). On a technical level, Solar Water Heaters (SWHs) represent a completely viable renewable energy alternative for South Africa. It is an established and proven technology which has the potential to have a big impact on the country’s electricity capacity problems. SWHs can be used in a variety of applications from industry to households. Most of the hot water in South African homes is heated by electric resistance heating in standard electric water heaters and there are no technical obstacles to replacing most of these with SWHs, thereby delivering a saving of up to 70% of the water heating energy bill. Water heating currently accounts for 40% of domestic electricity consumption within a residential sector that uses 20-30% of the national supply. At the macroscale, the roll out of SWH programmes is completely scalable. The benefits of SWH installation accrue to the consumer in the form of a financial saving in the long-term and to society in the form of reduced emissions. Awareness of the benefits is growing amongst the general public, commercial institutions and in government. Sales are starting to pick up due to, amongst other reasons, electricity price hikes and government subsidies for SWH installations offered through the national electricity supply company, Eskom. A national building regulation enforcing energy-efficient water heating in new buildings has been drafted and is expected to be in place by mid 2011. The rate of change from electric to solar water heaters remains disappointingly slow, however. The SWH industry in South Africa accounts for less than 10% of total hot water solutions sold. This study sought to establish the opportunities as well as possible barriers for the creation of SWH programmes within the insurance sector. Close to 50% of all standard electric water heaters installed in South Africa are procured and installed via the insurance industry due to the failure of units that have endured beyond the manufacturer’s guarantee period. This presents an opportunity for interventions that encourage policyholders to change to SWHs. Such interventions, if successful, would dramatically speed up the roll out of SWHs in South Africa. In addition the study sought to determine the barriers to the uptake of SWHs by policyholders in the case of the two insurance companies that currently have SWH programmes in operation. Data was collected through interviews with representatives in the insurance industry and a range of SWH industry stakeholders and consumers. The literature review focused on SWH policies and regulations and corporate and marketing theories. The material on transition in socio-technological systems proved especially useful in understanding the complex dynamics of the study topic. The conclusion drawn from the research is that the South African insurance industry has the capacity and opportunity to drive the penetration of SWH technology. The opportunity is, however not being exploited to anywhere near its potential. The entire system is geared towards providing a particular ‘business-as-usual’ solution. Analysis conducted in this study confirms that the system is in a “locked-in” state and extremely resistant to change. If the opportunity is to be acted on, to supplant the dominant technology for water heating installed by the insurance industry with what is currently a niche technology (SWHs), an external landscape shock is almost certainly needed. This shock to the system could be aided by interventions that target a change in the current system’s logic. The study provides some suggestions in this regard. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika staar ‘n energie krisis in die gesig. Aan die een kant is die bestaande elektrisiteitsvoorsiening nie genoeg om plek te maak vir die toekomstige vraag na elektrisiteit nie en aan die ander kant word meeste van Suid-Afrika se elektrisiteit opgewek deur steenkoolaangedrewe kragstasies met gevolglike probleme as gevolg van vrylating van kweekhuis-gasse. Die Suid-Afrikaanse regering het ‘n teiken vir hernubare energie om 23% op te maak van die land se totale energie verbruik teen 2013. Hierdie teiken sou potensieel bereik kon word deur die bereiking van ‘n ander van die land se teikens, naamlik die instalering van een miljoen sonverhitters. Op ‘n tegniese vlak verteenwoordig sonverhitters ‘n lewensvatbare hernubare energie alternatief vir Suid-Afrika. Dit is ‘n beproefde tegnologie wat die potensiaal het om ‘n groot impak te hê op die elektrisiteit kapasiteitsprobleme van die land. Sonverhitters kan ‘n verskeidenheid van warm water behoeftes bevredig, van groot industrieë tot tuisverbruik. Meeste warm water in Suid-Afrikaanse huise word verhit deur standaard elektriese geisers. Daar bestaan geen tegniese hindernisse om hierdie geisers deur sonverhitters te vervang en tot 70% van die water verhittings energie rekening te bespaar nie. Water verhitting maak tans 40% van die totale huishoudelike elektrisiteits verbruik op. Die huishoudelike verbruik is 20-30% van die nasionale verbruik en selfs hoer gedurende piek. Op die makro skaal is die uitrol van sonverhitters heeltemal skaleerbaar. Die voordele van die installering van sonverhitters val die verbruiker toe in die vorm van finansiele besparing oor die lang termyn en vir die samelewing as geheel in die vorm van emissie besparings. Bewustheid van die voordele is aan die groei by die algemene publiek, kommersiele instansies en by die regering. Verkope het begin optel as gevolg van onder andere die elektrisiteits prysverhoging en die staatssubsidies vir sonverhitters aangebied via die nasionale elektrisiteits toevoer maatskappy, Eskom. A nasionale bouregulasie wat enegie doeltreffende waterverhitting sal afdwing op nuwe geboue is reeds opgestel en dit word verwag dat hierdie regulasie in plek sal wees teen middel 2011. Die koers van verandering van elektriese water verhitters na sonkrag bly egter teleurstellend laag. Die sonverhittings industrie in Suid-Afrika maak minder as 10% van die totale water verhittings mark uit. Hierdie studie het beoog om die geleenthede sowel as die moontlike versperrings tot die skepping van sonverhittings programme in die versekerings bedryf uit te wys. Die versekerings bedryf koop en installeer ongeveeer 50% van alle standaard elektriese geisers in Suid-Afrika as gevolg van elektriese geisers wat breek na die vervaardiger se waarborg verval het . As gevolg hiervan bestaan daar ‘n geleentheid vir intervensies wat polishouers aanmoedig om te verander na sonverhitters. Sulke intervensies, indien suksesvol, het die potensiaal om die uitrol van sonverhitters in die land dramaties te versnel. Verder het hierdie studie beoog om die versperrings tot die opname van sonverhitters uit te wys by twee versekerings maatskappye in Suid-Afrika wat wel sonverhittings programme het. Data is versamel deur onderhoude met verteenwoordigers van die versekeringsbedryf en ‘n reeks sonverhitting industrie belanghebbendes en verbruikers. Die literatuurstudie het gefokus op sonverhittings beleid en regulasies en korporatiese en bemarkings teorie. ‘n Literatuurstudie in oorgang in sosio-tegnologiese sisteme was veral nuttig om die komplekse dinamika van die sisteem te verstaan. Die gevolgtrekking van hierdie studie is dat die Suid-Afrikaanse versekeringsbedryf wel die kapasiteit en geleentleid het om die penetrasie van sonverhittings tegnologie te dryf. Hierdie geleentheid word egter nie gebruik tot sy volle potensiaal nie. Die ganse sisteem is gerat om ‘n spesifieke tegnologie op ‘n sekere manier te verskaf. Analise in hierdie studie bevestig dat die sisteem in ‘n geslote staat is en daar is uiterste teenkanting tot verandering. Indien hierdie geleentheid om die dominate tegnologie vir waterverhitting geinstaleer deur die versekerings bedryf te verplaas met wat op die oomblik nog ‘n niche tegnologie is (sonverhitters), is ‘n eksterne landskap skok nodig. Hierdie skok tot die sisteem kan aangehelp word deur intervensies wat ‘n verandering in die huidige sisteem logika teiken. Hierdie studie bied ‘n paar voorstelle in hierdie verband.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid-Afrikaanse Heropbouings Program (HOP) asook die Groei Indiensnemings- en Herverdelingsprogram(GEAR) het ‘n geweldige hoë standaard gestel vir die verskaffing van basiese dienste soos behuising en elektrifisëring vir almal. Die meer effektiewe gebruik van elektriese energie het die sosiale en politieke potensiaal om by te dra tot die sukses van GEAR ten opsigte van die geteikende lae inkomste gemeenskappe waar daar nie tans voldoende elektriese energie beskikbaar is nie. Hierdie studie dek ook die inisiatiewe ten opsigte van effektiewe elektriese energie waaroor die Suid-Afrikaanse regering in vennootskap met Eskom tans navorsing doen om te bepaal of daar enige ekonomiese waarde is, en/of die lae inkomste gemeenskappe deur die sogenoemde inisiatiewe bevoordeel kan word. Die studie sluit ook navorsing in om die bewustheid van die lae inkomste gemeenskappe ten opsigte van effektiewe elektriese energie te bepaal. Die studie kyk verder na verskeie ander voltooide studies ten opsigte van effektiewe energie in lae inkomste gemeenskappe. Alhoewel verskeie ander effektiewe energie programme wel hoë ekonomiese en omgewings voordele uit 'n sosiale oogpunt inhou, is dieselfde programme glad nie aantreklik vir die verbruikers nie. Vir hierdie feit is die regering se bemiddeling wel belangrik. Die uitslag van die studie ondersoek ook die verskillende beleidsopsies (nie in diepte nie) om die struikelblokke van effektiewe energie te oorkom, asook moontlike oplossings vir die regering om die verskille tussen wat goed is vir die gemeenskap, en wat goed is vir die elektriese industrie te oorbrug. Die studie toets ook die bewustheid van effektiewe energie onder die lae inkomste gemeenskappe en hul huidige deelname aan effektiewe energie programme. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa’s Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) as well as Growth Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) set ambitious goals for providing basic services to all, including housing and electrification. More efficient use of electrical energy has the potential to socially and politically support the goals of GEAR, particularly when it is targeted at low-income communities lacking adequate energy services. This study looks at electrical energy efficiency initiatives that the South African government has under taken on its own as well as in partnership with Eskom and to check if there is any economic value that the poor communities may benefit from these initiatives. The study will also check the awareness of poor communities of electrical energy efficiency. Various studies in the subject of energy efficiency in relation to the poor communities that have been done in the past will also be looked at in this study. While many energy efficiency programmes may have significant economic and environmental benefits from a social perspective, they may not be as attractive to utilities and consumers. That is why government intervention is important. As a result this study also examine (not in great depth) the policy options for overcoming the significant barriers to energy efficiency, and ways government can bridge the gap between what is good for society and what is good for the electricity industry. This study extends further on checking the awareness of energy efficiency by the poor communities and their current participation in the energy efficiency programmes.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The world today is facing many energy challenges such as power outages experienced internationally and in South Africa. The demand for energy is constantly increasing and is creating environmental problems such as climate change, which is presently a major concern to society. This study is an attempt to establish how energy saving mechanisms such as the elimination of non-essential power can add economic value within the mining industry. This paper examines the effect of non-essential power and how it could assist companies to reduce their energy consumption, aid local power utilities in a crisis and maintain normal production levels. This research report was based on an investigation for power saving opportunities at a mining company during a power crisis. The paper looks at energy efficiency and the barriers to the adoption of energy savings. Companies in general do not have a structured way of addressing non-essential power saving. Companies are not aware of the value such initiatives could have on corporate responsibility and sustainable reporting. The benefits of energy efficiency and nonessential power on the triple bottom line are not clearly documented in literature. When comparing the impact of non-essential power on the triple bottom line, it became obvious that further research is required in order to prove whether it influences the social aspect. The impact of power generation on the global environment has not been clearly calculated and linked to the value of saving power. The literature review highlighted that companies are focusing on long-term initiatives instead of smaller initiatives, which requires less effort. During the investigation of the mining company, it was found that not much effort was made during the design stages in separating the electrical circuits from non-essential and essential power. The author concludes that switching off non-essential power held economic and environmental benefits for the mining company. The author therefore concludes that switching off non-essential power impacts positively on the economic and environmental part of the triple bottom line. It was found that the elimination of non-essential power is easy to implement with minimum investment and effort. Furthermore, the savings from these initiatives could easily be measured to calculate the return on the investment. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ons kry deesdae al meer te doen met uitdagings soos internasionale en plaaslike kragonderbrekings in die energiebedryf. Die aanvraag vir energie verhoog deurlopend en veroorsaak omgewingsprobleme soos klimaatsveranderinge, wat ‘n groot bekommernis is vir die samelewing. In hierdie studie word gepoog om vas te stel hoe energie besparings meganismes soos die eliminering van nie-noodsaaklike krag ekonomiese waarde kan voeg tot die mynboubedryf. Die uitwerking wat nie-noodsaaklike krag het en hoe dit maatskappye kan help om kragverbruik te verlaag terwyl produksievlakke steeds gehandhaaf word, is hier ondersoek. Plaaslike kragvoorsieners kan ook baat vind hierby in krisistye. Hierdie navorsingsverslag is gebaseer op ‘n ondersoek van krag besparings geleenthede by ‘n mynmaatskappy gedurende ‘n krisistydperk van kragonderbrekings. Die verslag kyk na die doetreffendheid van energieverbruik, asook na die hindernisse wat ondervind word in die inwerkingstelling van energie besparings inisiatiewe. Maatskappye het in die algemeen nie ‘n gestruktureerde metode om die probleem rakende nie-noodsaaklike krag aan te spreek nie. Hulle is nie bewus van die nut wat sulke inisiatiewe kan hê op korporatiewe verantwoordelikheid en volhoubare verslaggewing nie. Die voordele wat energiebesparing en die eliminering van nie-noodsaaklike krag op die ekonomie, gemeenskap en omgewing het, word nie duidelik geboekstaaf nie. Verdere navorsing moet gedoen word om die impak van energiedoeltreffendheid en nie-noodsaaklike krag op die sosiale aspek te bewys. Die uitwerking wat kragopwekking op die globale omgewing het is nog nie bereken en verbind met die waarde daarvan op kragbesparing nie. Die verslag beklemtoon dat maatskappye fokus op langtermyn inisiatiewe in plaas daarvan om te kyk na kleiner inisiatiewe wat minder moeite en tyd sal verg. Die ondersoek by die mynmaatskappy het getoon dat daar nie klem geplaas is op die onderskeiding tussen nie-noodsaaklike en noodsaaklike krag met die installering van die elektriese stroombane tydens die ontwerpstadium nie. Daar is gevind dat die afskakeling van nie-noodsaaklike krag ekonomiese en omgewingsvoordele vir die maatskappy inhou. Daar is tot die slotsom gekom dat die afskakeling van nie-noodsaaklike krag in die algemeen dus ‘n voordelige uitwerking het op die ekonomie en omgewing. Dit is maklik om te implementeer met minimum moeite en belegging. Die besparings deur middel van hierdie inisiatiewe kan ook maklik gemeet word om die opbrengs op die belegging te bereken.