Energy efficiency standard legislated
June 24th, 2010
Energy efficiency is being legislated and standardised by two state departments, supporting government strategies to reduce electrical power demand.
The Minister of Trade and Industry is drafting a sub-regulation for Energy Efficiency of Buildings, in terms of section 20(1)(f) of the National Building Regulation, and Building Standards Act, 103 of 1977, section XA.
Notification was published in Government Gazette 33265 of 11 June 2010, as Regulation 9300, under Government Notice 504.
Interested and affected parties are invited to submit their comments in writing within two months of publication, before 11 August, to CEO, National regulator for Compulsory Specifications, Private Bag X25, Brooklyn, 0075.
Energy saving verified by SATS 50010
SABS Standards Division published a technical specification for measurement, reporting and verification of energy saving, as part of a national imperative. The standard may have to be used in applications for tax allowance for energy efficiency savings.
The standardised approach is intended to serve voluntary as well as regulatory purposes. The document is issued as a technical specification, or SATS, due to an urgent need for guidance in energy efficiency.
A harmonised approach to monitor, measure and verify performance towards a range of energy savings in all industries was required.
The standard provides assurance that actual savings would be equal to, or more than, reported savings.
Copies of the technical specification can be obtained from the SABS Standard Sales division.
National strategy
The department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) published a final draft of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development in Government Gazette 33184, under Notice 393, on 14 May 2010.
Visit http://search.sabinet.co.za/WebZ/pdf/ggaz_pdf/weekly/gg33184.pdf?sessionid=01-36796-224364984&format=F&dbname=gov
Energy and water saved
Many companies and industries are redoubling their efforts to implement cleaner production processes, and reduce energy and resources wastage. The National Electricity Regulator, Nersa, carried out an evaluation of energy costs and had implemented a number of recommendations for achieving substantial savings.
BASF Poly Urethane had implemented a project to save costs and reduce consumption of water on site. Saving in energy usage also formed part of the program.
On-site water usage was dictated by the use of outdated technology in the production processes where water baths were historically used to ‘melt out’ drums of product, thus transforming solid into liquid, before these could be used in production.
Top-ups to the four 10m3 water baths and electric boilers averaged about 350 m3 per month. The water baths were replaced by two electrically heated ovens and the use of the boiler was drastically reduced.
Water consumption savings total some 4800 m³ per year. Corresponding savings in electrical consumption has also been achieved.
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