Page 3 - DUT Conduit Aug/Sept 2021

DUT BOASTS POSSIBLY THE ONLY STAFF- AND STUDENT- DEVELOPED SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC PROJECT AT A SOUTH
AFRICAN UNIVERSITY
Waheeda Peters
Two solar photo- voltaic systems were recently designed and installed at the Steve Biko campus of Durban University of Technology
(DU T).
Professor Ian Lazarus, Head of the Energy Technology Station called the KwaZulu- NatalIndustrialEnergyEfficientTrainingand Resource (IEE TR) Centre at DU T, believes in the creation and championing of a more sustainable living and working environment for the University.
Prof Lazarus said that the IEETR Centre submitted a proposal for the design and installation of two photovoltaic systems on DU T’s library rooftop for the implementation of renewable energy technologies as an energy-saving initiative for the University. “ The library rooftop was ideal due to its structure and its excellent exposure to the sun,” he said.
He indicated that these systems are:
• A 100kW grid-tied solar photovoltaic system that is tied into the grid and produces energy (kWh) during peak sun hours, hence reducing DUT’s energy
consumption on a daily basis.
• A 25k W hybrid solar photovoltaic system
with battery backup that is tied into the
grid, reduces DU T’s energy consumption and has a battery backup, which provides power to dedicated loads (student computer room) during power outages.
Mr Eugene Zeelie, Mr Devesh Bansipersadh and Prof Lazarus led the project team and the installation involved students and interns, hence greatly reducing implementation costs.
“Students were afforded the opportunity to utilise design software, conduct energy audits, install roof-mounting structures, photovoltaic panels, DC and AC cable wiring, inverter installation as well as the design and installation of AC distribution boards,” he said.
Prof Lazarus is involved with the development and commercialisation of innovative energy products, skills training in energy, project management and energy research. He has a special interest in community engagement projects, especially within underprivileged communities, aimed at mentoring the youth and creating awareness in the field of alternative energy and energy efficiency. He is involved in the development, management and implementation of many projects in sustainable energy.
Prof Lazarus was also the recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award in recognition of innovation in the category of ‘Greening the University’. He and and his team, consisting of Mr Eugene Zeelie and Mr Devesh Bansiparsadh, were awarded for the Steve Biko Library Rooftop Project under his helm.
Prof Lazarus said that it was an honour to receive the award. “More significantly, the recognition of emerging renewable energy projects, their impact on the provision of
clean sustainable energy, reduction in energy costs and the creation of postgraduate research and certified courses in this area is rewarding,” he said.
He stressed that the implementation of this project is in keeping with DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategy, namely:
• Boosting skills among all students
and building future capabilities for the
University’s and the country’s benefit
• Strengthening DUT’s student-centred education and technology transfer priorities and providing access to installed on-site facilities for student
research activities
• Facilitating ongoing information-sharing
and collaboration, and strengthening the
University’s image
• Aligning skills developed by graduates
with work practices, hence preparing them for employment in the renewable and environmental sector
“There has been a steady growth in energy consumption globally, especially from developing countries. In South Africa, this has placed a strain on our electricity distribution grid. Eskom has also experienced difficulty in generating enough electricity to meet the country’s needs. This has been largely due to the maintenance of the functioning power plants and the establishment of new power plants, hence resulting in end users having increased annual electricity tariffs,” he said.
Prof Lazarus said that frequent loadshedding coupled with the high annual electricity tariff increases have led to the residential, commercial and industrial sector devising and implementing energy-efficient and renewable energy initiatives.
“We are all also aware of climate change and how it affects our environment and our lives. Thus, renewable energy has become the choice for clean energy supply in light of the harmful effects of fossil fuels and the need for reducing carbon emissions. Solar photovoltaics (PV) have emerged as a mainstream innovative technology for generating clean and secure electricity. Hence, the implementation of DUT’s Rooftop Project addresses these issues as well as creates awareness around renewable energy,” he added.
Prof Lazarus acknowledged that the global pandemic had impacted the project in that there were challenges due to access to the site as well as the supply of materials.
Prof Lazarus said that besides the Steve Biko campus, other campuses will also be earmarked for such a project. “At present, our technology station is involved with the feasibility study of other photovoltaic systems as well as photovoltaic carports at the Steve Biko campus. We have also been approached by other departments and units within DUT to assist with solar backup systems. Some of them store expensive chemicals and during power outages, these are harmed as they need to be kept at specific temperatures. We are also assisting the Midlands and Pietermaritzburg
Pictured: Professor Ian Lazarus
Pictured: The team of the Steve Biko Library Rooftop Project.
campuses with the implementation of similar systems,” he said.
This project is beneficial to both staff and students alike. “The major impact is the financial energy savings for DUT. The combined 135kW systems will produce approximately 200MWh of energy per annum, translating into approximately R350 000 saving in its first year. With a fixed annual electricity tariff increase of 8%, the projected savings for DUT over the lifecycle of the systems is estimated to be in the region of R27 million. Hence, the implementation of this project relates to an excellent return on investment (ROI) with a four-to-five-year payback period,” he said.
“ We envisage that a number of student projects, postgraduate research and article outputs will emanate from the project. Another major benefit is the provision of an alternate source of energy to power the student computer rooms during loadshedding. This will allow them to continue with their studies uninterrupted,” he said.
Also, Prof Lazarus said that as part of the broader ENVISION2030 Strategic Plan, the aim is to provide an important contribution through DUT’s renewable energy projects. “The team has conducted energy audits on
campus, focusing on how DUT can utilise the conventional energy in a more sustainable and efficient manner. There needs to be a restructuring of operations in terms of the use of electricity at DUT in order to reduce energy wastage. We are embarking on the expansion of the solar outdoor area lights at the Steve Biko campus,” he said.
His advice to fellow staff who would also like to be a part of such a project or initiative is that they need to take ownership of their working environments and implement initiatives in the green energy space. “The IEETR centre can assist staff and departments in this area,” he said.
Going forward, Prof Lazarus would like to focus on implementing more sustainable renewable energy technologies at DUT campuses and at the same time developing these systems into research facilities for students.
“In keeping with national and international trends, my goal is to create a Centre of Excellence in Sustainable and Renewable Energy at our Institution. That has been the goal for a few years now and with the present energy facilities and research laboratories, including our thin-film laboratory, we are realising that objective,” he said.
Pictured: Installing solar panels on the library roof.
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