Exploring Alternatives to a Coal Powered Electricity Supply by Barry Marcus
The ever increasing cost of energy is placing ever greater strains on household budgets around the world.
The South African national electricity supplier (Eskom) has proposed tariff increases of 45% for each of the next three years. The effect will mean that clients will have to pay triple the current rate in three years time.
Perhaps the greatest shock is that Eskom is planning to use this money to build more coal-powered power stations. Although Eskom has been involved in some renewable energy projects, its frame of reference seems to be very firmly grounded in coal.
What can we do?
The first step is simple. Install a solar powered water heating system. While there is an initial investment involved, the savings on power consumption will mean that the unit pays for itself very quickly.
The next step is more difficult. Photovoltaic solar panels (solar panels that generate current) are still very expensive. Although the cost is reducing and the units are becoming less expensive, the cost involved is still high. Perhaps we could move off the electricity grid little by little.
Perhaps as a nation we can find investors willing to fund the building of large scale solar power generators. One system uses thousands of mirrors to focus the sun’s energy onto a single point. It heats water or oil to fuel steam driven turbines and produce electricity. This system is already in operation in Israel and being built in California. South Africa has plenty of sunshine to use this technology.
Eskom will not buy it. It is up to private investors.
The idea of using this system on a small scale to power a street of houses or even individual homes is a possibility. That will require research and backing.
By using renewal energy wherever we can, we can at least slow the tide of global warming. It will also help to cut our energy bills in the long run.
Barry Marcus
Barry Marcus is the author of Breathing Space, a blog about politics, human interest, and life in South Africa.
Barry lives in Johannesburg with his artist wife Lorraine, sons Adam, Joshua & Asher, and cats Minnie and Zena.
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