Forum Meetings

Workshop on Manufacturing and Innovation in the Sustainable Energy Sector in KZN

Co-hosted by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and KSEF on 27 July 2011 at the Durban Botanical Gardens. There was a successful turnout of over 60 attendees, and the presentations and discussions were widely considered informative. The workshop was opened by Derek Naidoo, the deputy City manager of Durban to affirm the city's commitmant to growing business and industry in the region, especially that associated with the green economy and job creation.

TIA introduced themselves and their role in the development of the manufacturing and energy sectors in South Africa with particular emphasis on KZN. Discussion ensued about the caution innovators and inventors take with regard to Intellectual Property (IP).  A brief presentation was then given by Derek Morgan to indicate eThekwini's perspective upon supporting local manufacturing in the SE sector, followed by 5 min presentations by identified manufacturers in Durabn. Discussion around challenges facing the sector and opportunities to optimise on COP 17 followed thereafter. Please see below for the relevant presentations.

Third KSEF Meeting 30 March 2011

The third KSEF meeting was held on the 30th March 2011 and was attended by 75 members. The meeting was themed around Wind Energy. The presentations were widely considered informative and benefiicial.

The following presentations were given: Introduction to wind energy

1. Introduction to wind energy - by Jean Pitot from Sustainable Energy Research Group (SERG), UKZN

2. Wind Map of KZN - by William Hove from Sustainable Energy Research Group (SERG), UKZN

3. Wind Map of Durban - by Frank Spencer from Emergent Energy

4. eThekwini Re-Powering Project - by Criselda Bisram from eThekwini Electricity Department

Kate Richardson from the Bat Association of KZN, kindly gave a brief informal presentation on the importance of considering Bats and Birds in the early stages of Wind Energy feasibility studies.

The presentations are available to download in the folder below. The minutes of this meeting will also be uploaded shortly.

Thank you to all those who attended the meeting and contributed to the rich discussion. We look forward to the next Forum Meetings to be held in April and September this year; it has been suggested that they be themed around Solar PV and COP17 respectively.

The revised REFit recently published by Nersa was also a pertinent discussion point. It was agreed that Nersa's timing of the inevitable revision of the REFit was unfavourable and a cause for concern among investors' perception of South Africa's RE market stability. However, the downward revision was to be expected and according to Florian Kroeber's calculations: the real change in REFit is not so severe if one takes into account the change in FOREX rates, which have a significant impact upon cost estimates due to the susbstantial costs of imported machinery, etc. 

For more details please refer to the minutes. 

Second KSEF Meeting 27 Oct 2010

The second Forum meeting was held on the 27th of October and was attended by 63 members, by all accounts it was considered a resounding success.

Three guest speakers spoke at the Meeting, they were:

1) Florien Kroeber from Astrum Energy – Florien spoke about the issues related to the development of grid connected renewable energy projects in South Africa.

2) Michael Atkinson from Cresco Project Finance – Michael spoke about the project finance opportunities in South Africa, key issues to be aware of and several common mistakes to avoid. Note, Michael did not use an electronic presentation, thus his presentation will not be available on this site.

3) Andrea Barause from Energywise – Andrea spoke about the key issues of energy efficient lighting design.

A big thanks to Florien, Michale and Andrea for presenting, I'm sure everyone agrees that the content was excellent!

Another key item on the meeting agenda was the finalization of the Forum’s TOR. A few modifications were made; most significantly an advisory board was suggested with the following people nominated for positions:

• Sinothi Sihisi - eThekwini Electricity

• Florien Kroeber – Astrum Energy

• Jean Pitot – University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN)

• Sarah White – Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) • Bryan Ash - Geasphere KZN

Please see the latest version of the TOR

Inaugural SEF Meeting 26 May 2010