An implementation model: photovoltaic application for sustainable energy in South Africa
- Authors: Bukula, Mvuleni
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Energy development -- South Africa , Renewable energy sources -- South Africa , Sustainable engineering -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64511 , vital:73743
- Description: South African electrical grid faces significant risks that the state produced electricity supply from electricity network to premises for consumption will not meet the electricity demand. Certain sectors of the economy and essential social services such as the hospitals, the telecommunications networks, and water companies are heavily impacted on by load management, through load shedding by rotating power outages or reducing power consumption from primary sources until demand decreases. Eskom, as the major electricity supplier in South Africa's aging infrastructure, with declining reliability, substandard quality coal and large gaps between generating capacity and demand, leaves the country vulnerable to electricity blackouts. The consequences of such power outages are devastating, but no single technology solution can meet the demand. Localised backup solutions such as solar power and battery backup limit the risk of power outages and provide power security during the periods of load shedding. Quantitative research method is pursued as a systematic survey to collect quantitative data by means of sampling and submitting online survey questionnaires. After receiving the data, statistical techniques were performed through structural equation modeling to analyse the structural relationship between the measured variables and the underlying variables. This research focuses on photovoltaic applications as a means of harnessing solar energy to convert solar energy into electricity. Solar panels consist of photovoltaic cells made of semiconductors or materials that respond to the action of photons of light. Energy availability to all can promote economic development and human well-being. Without the improvements in energy efficiency and development costs of new energy technologies such as photovoltaics, the global energy system will come under even more pressure. Therefore, changes in the global trend towards a decentralised low-carbon energy system are inevitable to ensure affordable, reliable and sustainable energy access for all. This research seeks to contribute to the present challenges that are facing South Africa’s electricity supply industry by increasing the energy mix of renewable energy as compared to the fossil fuel-based electricity supply. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, School of Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-04
Exploring an effective energy transition management framework for the South African energy sector
- Authors: Lloyd, Vuyisile Patrick
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Energy development -- South Africa , Business planning -- South Africa , Power resources -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51753 , vital:43369
- Description: The global energy transition slowed in 2019 according to the Energy Transition Index report from World Economic Forum, and South Africa (SA) was ranked one hundred and fourteenth out of the one hundred and fifteen countries assessed South Africa thus demonstrated low results in both the energy system performance index and the readiness for energy transition. A range of countries are also facing challenges that are central to the transformation of the energy sector, including protecting the environment, energy security and climate change. These persistent global crises and problems experienced by the energy sector in relation also to scarcity of natural resources, widening social inequalities and environmental degradation, have necessitated reforms and transitions in the energy sector. This study follows an interpretivism research philosophy because it is more suitable for a qualitative research methodology. The strategy of case study research is related to the paradigm of interpretivism approach and thus to the methodology of qualitative research. Various research strategies are used to gain in-depth knowledge, including the use of a case study research methodology to investigate a particular natural setting phenomenon. The research methodology with the embedded sub-units of analysis uses a single case study instrument. The primary unit of analysis considered for this study is the energy sector in South Africa in its current state. For this study, semi-structured interviews are utilised as the research instrument forming the primary data. Transition management and research propositions as conceptualised in this case study are theoretical concepts that management could use to positively influence the South African energy transition. SA is seriously impacted by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic since the beginning of 2020. The online research approach used resulted in some limitations during data collection, not being able to conduct interviews face-to-face and inability to observe participants during data collection. The researcher also found limitations on accessing data from some of the energy experts recruited to participate in the research. Some reported being busy and not having time to fill out the questionnaires. The researcher carried out follow-ups and recruited new participants. Primary data was ultimately collected from a total of five energy experts who participated in the study against the initial plan for eight participants. Most energy transition studies have focused almost entirely on energy technologies choices. The research intends to contribute to the body of knowledge and provides solutions for management, government and energy sector stakeholders to build strategies to resolve the complex and persistent challenges that slow down the energy transition in South Africa. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences , Business Administration, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04