Harold J. Annegarn

Energy use scenarios in an informal urban settlement in Johannesburg, South Africa

This paper presents a survey from a sample of 52 households from three informal urban settlements in Tembisa, Johannesburg, namely Vusimuzi, Madela Kufa Section 1 and Madela Kufa Section 2. The survey covered energy needs for cooking, space heating, water heating and lighting. No information was requested on the age, gender, status in the household, income level of the respondents, or the number of persons in the household. Coal was the primary source of energy for cooking, water heating and space heating, while kerosene was frequently used for cooking and lighting, and less for water heating. The majority of informal dwellings were not connected to the electricity grid at the time of the survey, save for a few which were connected through petrol-powered electric generators or through electricity obtained from a network of illegal connections. None of the households purchased LP gas for domestic use; the fuel is generally perceived to be unsafe for use in these settlements. Factors such as seasonality, the availability and price of fuels, and socio-cultural aspects affect fuel choices and the quantity consumed.

Energy Policy, Air Quality, and Climate Mitigation in South Africa: The Case for Integrated Assessment

Background and significance: South Africa reports approximately 20,000 premature deaths due to air pollution annually. Policy in South Africa has typically addressed greenhouse gas emissions, energy supply, and air quality separately. Integrated assessment provides a framework in which policies related to these topics can be evaluated simultaneously. Methodology: The present study provides an overview of legal and policy documents and reviews available literature concerning existing energy, climate, and air quality policies in South Africa to highlight inconsistencies of different policy approaches and identify possible co-benefits. Previous applications of integrated assessment in South Africa are discussed as approaches to provide evidence-based decision support. Application/relevance to systems analysis: The analysis and results demonstrate that a complete analysis of the energy and industry sectors can identify inefficiencies and opportunities. The system was analysed through both a policy lens and a technical application of an integrated assessment model. Policy and/or practice implications: Multiple potential policy options have been identified for South Africa to meet future energy demand and reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Combining GHG mitigation policies with subsidies to encourage the use of electricity or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking is most promising to avoid trade-offs. Discussion and conclusion: The goal of this work is to provide an argument for assessing energy, air quality, and climate change policies in an integrated assessment framework. Examples of current policy inconsistencies have been presented and published work detailing policy options to attain defined climate-related goals discussed. Integrated assessment can help to identify co-benefits and is a useful tool to improve decisions in complex policy environments. It is therefore recommended that integrated assessment tools be used to gain useful information for decision-making concerning climate change and air quality policies.

Using energy profiles to identify university energy reduction opportunities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to outline efforts at the University of Johannesburg, a large metropolitan university in Gauteng province, to examine energy efficiency within the context of the green campus movement, through the analysis of electricity consumption patterns. The study is particularly relevant in light of the cumulative 230 per cent increase in electricity costs between 2008 and 2014 in South Africa that has forced institutions of higher education to seek ways to reduce energy consumption. Design/Methodology/Approach – A quantitative research design was adopted for the analysis of municipal electricity consumption records using a case study approach to identify trends and patterns in consumption. The largest campus of the University of Johannesburg, which is currently one of the largest residential universities in South Africa, was selected as a case study. Average diurnal consumption profiles were plotted according to phases of the academic calendar, distinguished by specific period...

Performance evaluation of three charcoal stoves

Globally, introduction of alternative basic energy has proven to reduce the burden of household air pollution. In South Africa, charcoal present a viable energy resource in the peri urban areas. However, burning of charcoal in inefficient stoves leads to excessive release of harmful pollutants. Few studies have been conducted to investigate the burning of charcoal more cleanly and efficiently, hence the development of this study. This study set out to evaluate emissions and thermal performance of three improved charcoal stoves (Zambian, Kenyan Jiko and Madagascar charcoal stoves) that might be applicable for the South African market. In order to replicate real world use, a culturally appropriate burn sequence was developed prior to stove evaluation. The hood method was used to collect gaseous and particulate emissions. Stoves were rated in terms of the IWA rating matrix, and CSI metrics, and for CO emissions in terms of the South African standard for indoor combustion (SANS 1906: 2009). Results presented indicated the COEF in the range of 4.3–5.4 g/MJ, PMEF 5.2–7.5 mg/MJ while firepower was found to be between 3.1–7.3 kW. All three stoves rated as IWA Tier 4. The CO/CO2 ratios were found to be in the range of 7.5–9.6%, indicating that these stoves will not be suitable for indoor use in terms of the South African National Standard. Using the CSI rating method, the Zambian charcoal stove failed in terms of the firepower, while the Kenyan Jiko and Madagascar charcoal stoves passed, with average firepower between 3 and 5 kW.

Comparative evaluation of emissions from selected paraffin lamps and a paraffin thermoelectric generator

Paraffin lamps are commonly used as light sources in low-income, off-grid households. Pollutant emissions from these appliances are a potential health hazard and a cause of material soiling by soot deposits. This paper reports on evaluation of emissions of two off-the-shelf paraffin lamps (a standard lantern and a glass lamp) - considered as baseline reference devices - and a prototype paraffin-fuelled thermo-electric generator. The thermoelectric generator is designed to provide a higher intensity and quality of light output than conventional paraffin lamps. This is achieved through LED lamps. In addition, it also has a plug point to charge mobile phones. These devices were fuelled with commercially sourced illuminating paraffin, and tested according to the SeTAR Centre heterogeneous test protocols (HTP). Results show that the thermoelectric generator has 83% reduction in PM2.5 (black carbon) emissions per hour of burn (mg/h) compared to the two reference lamps. The CO emissions and CO/CO2 ratio for the three devices did not show significant differences at the 95% confidence level. The thermoelectric generator has a similar fuel consumption rate to the paraffin glass lamp, while the standard paraffin lantern has a higher burn rate. The thermoelectric generator exhibits lower risks of fires and contact burns since there is no exposed flame. The paraffin thermoelectric generator with LED lamps would therefore be a serious contender as a substitute for polluting paraffin lamps, providing a higher quality of light while reducing black carbon emissions.

Influence of fuel-bed temperatures on CO and condensed matter emissions from packed-bed residential coal combustion

In this paper, the influence of fire-ignition methods (which determine the progression of the pyrolytic zone) and combustion temperatures on CO and condensed matter (smoke) emissions during fixed-bed coal combustion were investigated in a typical informal brazier/imbaula. Particle and gaseous samples were drawn from the exhaust through a rapid dilution sampling system (the SeTAR dilution system) before being channelled to respective gas and particle analysers. Particle morphologies and chemical composition of the particles were investigated by a VEGA3 SEM unit with EDS. Results showed that the propagation of bed temperatures in fixed-bed residential combustion has an influence on the characteristics of CO and PM10 emissions. Temperature stratification was found to depend on the fire-ignition methods. The top-lit up-draft (TLUD) fire-ignition method produced less emissions compared to bottom-lit up-draft (BLUD) fire-ignition method. Bed temperatures and the propagation front have an impact on aerosol formation and can highlight differences in the morphology of the emitted particles and the modes of formation. Increasing combustion temperature yields a decrease in emissions liquid “tarry” substances and super-aggregates (>10 μm) but also leads to an increase in emissions of sub-micron soot particles. This work is significant in that there is still scarce information available in literature on fuel-bed temperature profiles/stratification for packed-bed residential coal-burning devices.