1. Introduction
The energy crises that South Africa is currently facing is about to lead the country to its economic downfall. This leads to each and every household in a South African Citizen having to start saving energy and using it efficiently.
When one home starts saving, it will actually influence the whole community, country then finally the whole nation. This will not only uplift the economy of the country but it will actually also allow other neighbouring countries which currently not having access to electricity to get a chance to have electricity too (Davidson, Mwakasonda, 2003).
Part of this investigation is to introduce and improve on current ways of how to use energy efficiently looking at a Residential accommodation, using 30 people living in the same floor as a baseline.
2. Background Statement
South Africa experienced a wet season, whereby there were heavy rains which ruined the main supplying source of coal. Due to this incident, the country is facing black outs (Blaine, 2014). Since Eskom is the one energy based companies that supplies the country with 95% of the power (Blaine, 2014), it is also finding difficulties in meeting South Africa’s energy demands, as the demand is expected to be twice the current level in 2030 (South Africa. Info, 2012).
Eskom has also mentioned that even the Industrial sector have contributed cutting low their consumptions but it is certainly not enough too.
[3] During peak times, there are two power stations that deliver reserve power but the problem is that the dam levels are low at these two power stations.
South Africa is also importing insufficient power from Zimbabwe.
3. Hypothesis
The energy crisis is an issue that depends on an individual to use energy effi...
... middle of paper ...
...
APPENDIX
APPLIANCES POWER CONTAINED DURATION OFF USE USE PER DAY ENERGY CONSUMPTION
1)Microwave 2000W
230v-240v 5min-0.083h 2 332Wh
2) Stove 2500W
230V 45min-0.75h 1 1875Wh
3) Fridge 1.4KWh
220v-240v 24h 1 33600Wh
4) Iron 1200W
230v 5min-0.083h 1 99.6Wh
5) Kettle 2000W
230v 1.30-0.022h 3 132Wh
6) Normal Incandescent light 100W
230v 1440min-24 1 2400Wh
Total power consumed: 38438.6Wh
Figure A
Figure A indicates the energy consumption of appliances before modifications
APPLIANCES POWER CONTAINED DURATION OFF USE USE PER DAY ENERGY CONSUMPTION
1.Microwave 2000W 5min-0.083h 2 332Wh
2.Stove 2500W 45min-0.75h 1 1875Wh
3. Fridge 1400W 24h 1 33600Wh
4. Iron 1200W 5min-0.083h 1 99.6Wh
5. Hydro-boiler 1500W 1.30min-0.022h 3 99Wh
6. Eskom lights 14W 1440min-24h 1 336Wh
Total power consumed: 36341.6Wh
... the sun isn’t as high up in the sky. Large open spaces and a covered loft promote stack ventilation which also further increase the comfort zone. A mud room/hallway doubles as an airlock during extreme temperature months. The addition of active systems suffices for the rest of the heating load. On the roof positioned is a solar hot water panel which has access to solar gain. A small tankless electric water heater boosts stored hot water temperatures when needed. The ultimate goal is to simply reduce energy use by half of what the average household uses. The equipment chosen is an Eemax Electric Tankless Hot Water Heater. A solar hot water panel mounted on the dormer heats water through glycol exchange. A tankless electric hot water heater 1) boosts the solarheated stored water if it is below desired temps and 2) provides back up water heating during cloudy periods.
We are dependent on energy for almost everything in our lives. When the outside temperature rises a little, we immediately switch on the air conditioner to keep our house cool. This is using up of energy. We have starting taking things for granted and we have started wasting energy unnecessarily. Energy is limited and hence to maintain the quality of life, it is important that we use our energy resources wisely. If we do not conserve energy, the energy will exhaust and we will have nothing to use.
Reducing and altering one’s energy consumption, and more broadly, saving resources of energy, is a key factor in ensuring that this world is kept and maintained liveable for future generations. By incorporating energy consumption methods in our daily lives, sustainable urbanisation will be achieved and our community will be ever more environmentally friendly. The practical methods and first step measures households should take in reducing their energy consumption, is by utilising energy smart principles and renewable energy resources. These have become easily accessible and affordable for many as the government continues to emphasise the importance of sustaining our environment and the importance of people being conscious of energy expenditure from
“Where does our power come from?”, when asked, many people would not know the answer to this question. Some might say wind, water, or solar, but the main providers of America’s power are coal plants and nuclear reactors running to keep the lights on. Unfortunately, there is no free energy, it comes at a cost to the environment and its inhabitants. So when the choice arises to change the way humanity looks at our consumption of power, why choose the way we do things? Because the time has come for us as a country and the world to make the switch from the old to the new.
Shafer, Leah R. "Address on the Energy Crisis (15 July 1979)." Dictionary of American History. Ed. Stanley I. Kutler. 3rd ed. Vol. 9. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2003. 492-94. U.S. History in Context. Web. 18 Apr. 2014.
The term ‘energy crisis’ is not unfamiliar to anyone. For almost have a century this ever-growing issue has been disregarded and dismissed as something trivial and insignificant, allowing it to further intensify and develop into a critical situation; a situation that has resulted in becoming the root of all our problems including the degradation of our environment, the downfall of our economy and the dissolution of our social welfare. During the past three decades, promises have been made, projects have been unsuccessful and the issue still exists. On July 15, 1979, President Jimmy Carter delivered his “Crisis of Confidence” speech, whereby he addresses the energy crisis that America was facing due to the lack of oil in the country. In his
Today’s population consumes enormous amounts of energy. Even with the new energy efficient products that are available on today’s market, Stats Canada claims that Canada’s energy demand continues to rise each year. This energy demand growth could be attributed to many causes such as: population growth, dependence on technology, development in under developed world countries.
Below I will list a table with the pros and cons of renewable energy as it is the biggest solution to the huge issue of overusing electricity. Next I will be discussing what we a society can do to further improve this situation and my main point lies within hydropower. Hydropower is the renewable energy contained in flowing water. Electricity is generated using hydropower known as hydroelectricity and is generally considered to be reliable.20% of the world’s electricity consumption in 2006 was generated with hydroelectricity (generating electricity from hydropower), the most used renewable energy source in the world. We all know that hydroelectricity is both renewable and green, but what are the other advantages this technology offer? Are there any disadvantages? Look below at figure 2 to see the pros and cons of hydropower. There are many changes to be made whether it be in a single home or as a community, we may face obstacles but that is what it is all about, we have the resource to use all we need to do is use them in the write up above I've listed problems that lie within my home as well as solutions we have done to fix the mistakes we made. I hope you enjoyed and learned a bit about resources and how to use them with all the effort
The law of thermodynamics states that energy is neither created nor destroyed, but it can transform to alternate states. A major amount of energy is lost as heat as it translates states. The United States Department of Energy published online that a “typical U.S. family spends about $1,900 a year on home utility bills… [Yet], a large portion of that energy is wasted” (Source F). if a family is going to spend that much money on utility, shouldn’t they receive all the energy they can? This is a major concern for environmentalist as they understand that even the most efficient power plants do not convert the available energy entirely, which is very difficult to do. The government can intervene, however, and offer recommendations to each household to save what they can. These small government recommendations can assure a more efficient nation when every family cooperates. Energy conversion is not one hundred percent efficient, therefore governments can mediate and solidify their nation towards living
...also save energy by using motion censoring for doors and sinks. The dining rooms and foyers should have dim-able light switches. Another way to save a lot of energy is to make a master switch at the front door that turns off all lights. That way you never leave a light on when you aren't at home. You should use natural gas cook tops and ovens to cut down on electricity.
The year is 2200. The world is going through a fossil fuel shortage. Oil reserves are almost completely consumed and it is becoming impossible to find new fossil fuel sources. Not prepared for this event to occur, The United States, has no alternative options. As a result of the oil shortage, the standard of living deteriorates. Heat in homes, supermarkets full of food, and transportation, all basic necessities taken for granted, will be depleted because fossil fuels are used to power almost everything. The key to the prevention of this future is renewable energy. Unfortunately the support for the use of renewable energy is weak and ineffective. Unless the US puts forth effort to research and promote the use of renewable energy to consumers, conversion from fossil fuels to renewable energy will no longer be an option.
At the time of South Africa’s current energy crises, our government is concentrating on sustainable means with which to produce power, such as wind farm projects, as a cheaper, greener alternative to coal power stations.
In the debate of traditional energy vs. renewable energy the clear winner is renewable energy. Renewable energy is vastly superior over traditional energy because it decreases dependence on foreign resources, produces no emissions, and is not limited in quantity. Opponents of renewable energy are likely to argue that this is not the case and that instead, traditional energy is better because it creates job growth, is reliable during all hours and climates, and comes with a lower cost. These advantages however are either misconstrued or hardly outweigh the long-term positive benefits of renewable energy.
Using fossil fuels such as coal and oil is inefficient, dangerous, and otherwise a process that is known to eventually fail as a long lasting energy source. Yet, there is hope for the future of energy, this new hope has many shapes and forms, but requires a chance to be fully implemented in our everyday life. Such energy sources like solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, and hydro power are the key to our future. These energy sources are proven to be long lasting, safe, more reliable, and the next innovation. In short, all Americans should switch to renewable energy, resulting in a safer and more efficient world.
middle of paper ... ... g the Energy Revolution." Foreign Affairs. Nov/Dec 2010: 111. SIRS Issues Researcher.