The Department of Science and Technology has granted the Durban University of Technology (DUT) R10million for the manufacture of six 5kW hybrid power plants for delivery in 2012 and 2013….
The Department of Science and Technology has granted the Durban University of Technology (DUT) R10million for the manufacture of six 5kW hybrid power plants for delivery in 2012 and 2013. The design and manufacture of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) for rural communities is at the core of the project. The project consists of the design of cutting edge technology that is being developed by DUT, with the help of local and international partners.
Communities in the Nongoma area of KwaZulu-Natal will be the recipients of the HRES as they have been identified by local authorities as part of its economic and service delivery plan.
Fred D’almaine, Senior Director of Power and Electrical Engineering and the project leader of the technical domain said, “Challenges faced were many and varied. The outcome has brought a sense of relief in that we can now start the project in earnest and provide upliftment to the involved communities who do not have facilities that we take for granted. A drink of water entails a journey of about an hour to fetch water from a river, which is generally polluted. Reading or studying in the evening is very difficult without sufficient light, straining the eyes to see by candlelight, together with the smoke, causes eye problems in later life. We have a marvellous team involved with this project and are excited to participate in it knowing that it has contributed to putting DUT ‘on the map’ as far as renewable energy is concerned.”
The aim is to supply about 24 kWh per day of electrical energy which can be used to carry out various tasks (24 kWh is 24 kilowatt hours and is the energy supplied in one day by the system. kWh is what your electricity meter reads at home). The power supply will have a positive impact on the community in terms of water purification, for primary health care needs and small business upliftment. The Zululand District Municipality will provide maintenance; community involvement will be facilitated by Dr Phila Ndlovu, previously Assistant Vice-Chancellor at the University (now retired).
Sundeep Singh of Post Graduate Development and Support, who served as co-proposal writer and project manager said, “Technologies involved are all green. South Africa is attempting to reduce its carbon footprint so it is vital to provide energy that is eco-friendly. BTech, Master’s and Doctoral students will be participating and it will give them an opportunity to see how technology will impact on local communities together with the environment.”
Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Ahmed C. Bawa said, “In a few days Durban will be hosting COP 17 and we are compelled to begin to consider how we generate and consume power. DUT has a number of exciting projects and this grant from DST will help us to roll out functioning renewable energy systems aimed at rural contexts. The project will work with technology solutions but will also focus on the building of capacity of local people to manage these systems.”
– Savie Naicker
