Green Business Opportunities from Power Failures

Posted by: Matthew in Untagged  on Feb 19, 2008 Print PDF

Matthew


What a wonderful and powerful use of the internet - to create a groudswell of citizenry action in response to a systemic problem (not this is a new problem mind you - ask anyone in the townships that were off the grid previously about what they though about load shedding).

One of the key things here as I see it though, is not to individualize the problem. We should all be reducing our carbon footprint as much as we can - not simply because we are living in a country that is currently facing a power capacity issue. Obviously the orientation that this page has taken - addresses those individual with higher incomes who have the ability to own the appliances to turn off in the first place. We need a system that addresses the power needs of ALL - in a way that doesn't destroy future generations environment.

South Africa should be using this experience to put itself in the forefront of sustainable power generation. The capacity for solar power generation in this country is one of the best in the world and the business opportunities are rife for forward thinking people.

Let's understand our role within the system here and make sure that we correct the problems so that ALL people have power in South Africa. Helping to switch off your geyser is but one step in the right direction. Let's keep the pressure on so that we don't get patchwork solutions that take us backwards rather than forwards (ie simply building more and more coal power plants).

Cheers,

-Matt


Comments (3)Add Comment
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written by maxpichulik, 19 February, 2008
Matt -- watch this space mate ... Over time once we're out of the winter (ie: high demand periods) -- all our mass media will be focused on long term sustainable solutions.

By the end of the year, industry will be capacitated to roll these solutions out. Right now -- its about raising consciousness -- and then our single messages will change!

Thanks for your response mate!! ... Plug in - and we'll all work together on this one!

Max Pichulik
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written by Carl Muller, 23 February, 2008
I put a timing switch on my geyser and have saved R460/month on average the last 9 months.
My geyser is only on 1,5 hours in the middle of the night and 1,5 hours in the middle of the day.
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written by Trilok, 31 March, 2008
I was recently in Cape Town and read tons of articles as regard the Power problem. Almost all the solutions are concentrating on switching OFF the geysers. Nothing much has been mentioned on other alternatives. I did not read on anyone propagating the idea of using solar water heaters.I do not know how many sunny days you get in winter but I know of solar systems that work well even there is just a spell of sun rays.
On the other side I read about the CEO of ESKOM getting all the bonuses required :- ) he must have met his targets.
I know of small gadgets that are just plugged in and forget sort of that can reduce your power consumption by 15% but these do not work on geysers, irons, ovens which are basically resistive loads but works only on inductive ones such as fridge,pumps,freezers and even on economy lights.
Let's hear from your side.

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