Canal Walk, Cape Town, has received an energy efficiency award.
The energy saving efforts of commercial and industrial sector businesses were commended on June 9 in Fourways Johannesburg at the public launch and awards dinner of the Energy Cybernetics Energy Barometer.
The organisation assists businesses to scientifically assess their energy consumption, compare it to national average energy efficiency benchmarks and then to improve on it by implementing energy optimisation projects.
Some leading industry players have already demonstrated their commitment towards energy efficiency and their efforts were recognised at the awards dinner. Exxaro (Pretoria), AngloGold Ashanti (Johannesburg) and Barloworld (Boksburg, Gauteng) were placed first, second and third in the corporate head offices category. Oriental Plaza (Johannesburg) came out tops in the shopping centres category followed by Centurion Mall (Centurion, Gauteng) and Canal Walk (Cape Town).
“Energy efficiency solutions are paramount – South Africa’s economy is relatively small, but globally we rank among the top 20 countries for greenhouse gas emissions. To ensure a long-term energy supply that can sustain our economic growth business, being the largest consumer group, needs to recognise the importance of optimising energy. This will also go a long way to meet our equally important Copenhagen commitments,” says Energy Cybernetics managing director, Gustav Radloff.
Canal Walk’s Eugene Lombard said the centre is constantly looking at additional opportunities to reduce energy consumption and will continue to recognise the importance and responsibility to reduce its environmental footprint.
In the same vein, Mike Hughes of Exxaro said in his acceptance speech that the awards would encourage other participants to take part in years to come.
“We recognise that energy efficiency improvements are needed to address the electricity supply shortage in our country as well as reducing our energy costs and carbon footprint,” he said.
Central Energy Fund (CEF) chief executive, Barry Bredenkamp said the CEF will continue to support and collaborate with Energy Cybernetics to fast-track the accelerated roll-out of much-needed energy saving technologies in South Africa.
According to Energy Cybernetics director, Prof LJ Grobler, the energy barometer audit process is based on state of the art normalisation and comparison techniques on par with international standards.
“We used the average of the normalised annual energy use of all the buildings that participated in the 2009 Energy Cybernetics survey to develop a benchmark or starting point for the energy barometer. Participants’ annual energy bills were normalised in relation to key parameters such as location, type of building, occupancy data and floor space. We then compared this participant benchmark to that of the industry average.”
Commercial and industrial users are by far the biggest energy consumer in South Africa and are under pressure to optimise their energy consumption. Contrary to industry fears of decreased production levels due to compliance with energy efficient standards, organisations that start improving particular previously-neglected aspects of their operations, such as energy efficiency, often find that success in this area leads to unexpected improvements in other areas.
“A good rule-of-thumb is that an energy saving of between 10% and 30% can be achieved by implementing measures that have a payback period of less than two years. Over the long-term, more energy efficient operations generally yield higher throughputs and better quality products with a positive impact on the economy,” said Radloff.
“Through the barometer Energy Cybernetics hopes to encourage other organisations to join in playing this much-needed part to ensure our continued economic growth. Next year the energy barometer’s categories will be expanded to include hotels and office parks,” said Radloff.
