Seminar addresses demand side management for mining, industry

The next seminar, in Midrand on 21 June 2011, has the South African Association for Energy Efficiency (SAEE) present 14 suppliers in one room for one day, detailing everything decision makers, need to know about demand side management (DSM) and how to achieve it, through implementing the latest technologies.

Managing demand

In response to the energy challenges facing South Africa, Eskom has established an Integrated Demand Management (IDM) division which is dedicated to ensuring short-term security of electricity supply. A key aspect of this programme is the promotion and implementation of more energy-efficient technologies, processes and behaviours amongst all consumers.

Mining and industry are the economic backbones of South Africa. Together, these two energy dependent sectors consume 59% of South Africa's total energy supply and so it is vital that Eskom encourage these sectors to manage their demand.

Demand side management has been traditionally seen as a means of reducing peak electricity demand so that utilities can delay building further capacity. In fact, by reducing the overall load on an electricity network, DSM has various beneficial effects, including mitigating electrical system emergencies, reducing the number of blackouts and increasing system reliability. Possible benefits can also include reducing dependency on fossil fuel, reducing energy prices, and reducing harmful emissions to the environment.

Seminars by experts

The MIEO seminars are designed to assist mining and industrial companies to operate more efficiently; reduce energy spend; be sustainable, reputable and competitive in the marketplace; reduce their carbon footprint; and contribute to a sustainable supply of electricity. The expert speakers are all members of MIEO, a chapter of the SAEE. Their efforts are supported by Eskom's IDM division.

Delegates will learn about energy saving solutions from a range of presentations covering topics including efficient pumps and pumping systems; voltage power optimisation; efficiency in materials handling systems; managing compressed air leaks; saving practices for mining and industrial fans; energy efficient electric motors and drives; energy measurement and monitoring; saving using variable speed drives; and efficiency in crushing, milling and grinding. In addition to this, DSM funding assistance options for energy efficiency projects will be presented by Eskom.

Considering that it can take up to two years to fully implement an energy efficiency project and effectively reduce the energy demand of a mining or industrial site, it becomes apparent that energy decision makers need to act now. The information sharing and networking opportunities that these seminars present are vital to the industry and the economy as the need for change becomes ever more pressing.

Reducing greenhouse gasses

South Africa is looking to finalise its carbon tax policy by mid 2011 and may announce its implementation during the 2012 budget, despite the absence of a global carbon price.

South Africa, which produces around 500-million tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) yearly, ranks among the world's 20 biggest emitters of greenhouses gases (GHG), and third when measured on a total emissions per capita basis. South Africa has indicated that it will move to reduce domestic GHG emissions by 34% by 2020 and by 42% by 2025. The cost of this carbon tax to South Africa's big industry players will be immense and is something that should be planned for in advance.

The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) has identified energy management as a priority area meriting the development and promotion of International Standards. Effective energy management is a priority focus because of the significant potential to save energy and reduce GHG emissions worldwide.

Existing ISO standards for quality management practices (ISO 9000 series) and environmental management systems (ISO 14000 series) have successfully stimulated substantial, continuous improvements within organizations around the globe. An energy management standard (ISO 50001) is expected to similarly achieve major, long-term increases in energy efficiency. In light of this, the Department of Energy will soon require reporting of energy consumption per annum. Companies will have to be able to measure and verify their consumption which will lead to a corporate culture of energy efficiency.

The ISO 50001 Energy Management Standard is applicable to all organizations and will ask questions such as:

• How much energy are you using?
  
• Where are you using it?
  
• What is driving this use?
  
• What is your baseline?
  
• Who is influencing its use?
  
• Are there any renewable energy options that could be put in place?

Eskom, through its IDM has implemented nine funding mechanisms for viable, measurable and sustainable projects on approved technology for lighting, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), compressed air, process optimization, solar and other heating mechanisms.

For more information, call Sandra Du Preez on +27 (0) 82 411 3257 or send an e-mail to az.gro.eeas@oeim.