Sustainability News
Our dedicated Face Book page – written for Sierra Leone, but of interest to anyone living and working in Africa.
The importance of soil
Topic of the Week
Wind Power in Africa
Most developing countries have abundant renewable energy resources and one of the most important of these iswind power.
By developing alternative energy sources developing countries can reduce their dependence on oil and natural gas.
This will make them less vulnerable to price hikes in the basic barrel price of crude oil.
In many isolated rural areas electricity is not normally available. Renewable technologies provide a sustainable and cost‐effective alternative to the diesel generators that would be otherwise be deployed in such areas. They also reduce the amount of charcoal being made, which in turn will reduce de-forestation.
Whichever form of renewable energy is used it will assist in the alleviation of poverty - by providing the energy needed for creating businesses and employment. Renewable energy technologies can also make indirect contributions to alleviating poverty by providing energy for cooking, space heating, and lighting.
They can also assist widening the access to education and allowing students to study at night
The provision of better rural health care can also be helped by local people having an access to a cheap and efficient source of energy - - "Traditional stoves using dung and charcoal emit large amounts of carbon monoxide and other noxious gases. Women and children suffer most, because they are exposed for the longest periods of time. Acute respiratory illnesses affect as much as 6% of the world population.’’
Access to electricity also allows for medicines and vaccines to be stored and kept – again improving the health care provision of the most vulnerable members of society.
Much of the pioneering work in wind power has occurred in South Africa but across the continent this form of renewable energy is growing in popularity.
Wind is far less uniformly distributed than solar resources. The availability of wind on the western coast of Africa is substantial, exceeding 3,750kW·h, and will accommodate the future prospect for energy demands
Solar and wind power are capable of operating at various ‘scales’. This allows systems to be operable from less than 1 watt to several megawatts – which allows electrification of a home or village with minimal initial capital. Wind resources and solar resource are abundant enough to provide all of the electrical energy requirements of rural populations, and this can be done in remote and low density areas that would not normally not be reachable by more conventional power sources.
Obviously finance will be a major problem. But the oil importing countries, especially those dependent on the trading markets for oil might consider subsidising alternative ways of African countries generating power and so reducing their demands for oil. Again, if an acceptable ‘scale’ could be agreed European partners could then supply parts, components, or systems directly, or finance low cost loans to cover initial investment, or lend credits to finance the distribution of renewable energy services, knowledge or equipment.It would appear to be a win-win situation.
Much of current development thinking focuses on poverty reduction and this could also be redirected towards subsidising renewable energy projects. Access to a reliable and effective source of energy is essential in supporting economic and social development. The funding of rural electrification would be a major component for addressing poverty. Development would be considerably boosted by access to radios, televisions, telephones, computer networks and computers all of which rely on access to reliable supplies of electricity. Modern ‘Information Services’ allow for wider access to education resources, health care information and other important information.
With access to reliable flows of information an awareness of climate change and its consequences can be made available via new forms of communication – so of course can news and the ability of politicians to keep to what was promised during an election campaign!
Widening the access to consistent sources of power will enable other requirements of ‘development’ to reach the majority.
The advantages of wind power – c/o- Turbines, South Africa Ltd.
Advantages of wind energy
Most people have seen the large, futuristic wind turbines dotting the landscape in rural farming areas, with massive blades stretching into the sky. They certainly look impressive, but what are the actual advantages of using wind energy to generate electricity? Read on to find out.
Advantages of using wind energy in South Africa
- Wind is a free and infinite resource - Wind is a meteorological phenomenon that occurs naturally in the environment. Therefore, like sunshine or rain, it’s free, clean and will never run out. Anyone with the right equipment can harness the power of the wind to generate electricity, and it will always be available to use, unlike finite fossil fuels, which are quickly dwindling in supply. At present, more than 90% of South Africa’s energy is generated by coal-fired power stations.
- Wind is a clean energy source - Conventionally, fossil fuels have been used to generate electricity in most parts of the world. Apart from the fact that these are finite resources that will eventually run out, fossil fuels are also harmful to the environment when used to produce electricity. During combustion, fossil fuels such as coal emit many by-products into the atmosphere, two of which are carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). Both these gases have been shown to contribute to the worsening climate crisis. Converting wind energy into electricity releases no harmful by-products into the environment.
- Wind energy projects create jobs - For every wind farm project that is established in South Africa, tens if not hundreds of jobs are created, for both skilled and unskilled workers. Often, experts are sought from around the country – and the world – to guide and train local workers, thus creating valuable opportunities for skills enhancement and knowledge transfer. Both temporary and permanent jobs are created by the establishment of every wind farm in South Africa.
- Wind energy brings electricity to rural communities - Most wind farm projects are set up in rural communities, as the land and environmental conditions are ideal for renewable energy initiatives. Wind farms bring clean, affordable and sustainable energy to these communities, as well as to other areas that don’t have access to electricity. Wind energy can also power schools, hospitals and clinics that wouldn’t otherwise have access to electricity.
- Wind farms reduce the dependency on fossil fuels - As mentioned earlier, fossil fuels are finite and at some point, they will run out. Wind farms, as well as other renewable energy initiatives, help to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels, which means that if they do run out, the country won’t be left in darkness.
Other sources
A full analysis of various forms of power, including wind.
Some other resources to visit:
- Gravity Power lighting
- sources of water and the lives of young women
- a well-researched and thoughtful analysis of food production and citizen welfare.
John 24th June 2015.