Construction World August 2017

Roxanne Dovey, sustainability consultant, WSP, Building Services, Africa.

opportunity to reap substantial personal health and economic benefits. • Roof top gardens have been planted and the building is reaping the benefits. The ecological value of the site was enhanced by introducing more soft landscaping which includes indigenous plants, and the irrigation comes from the water reuse systems. The roof top gardens also act as a natural insulation barrier for the building below which reduces the cooling load on the mechanical system. They also limit the storm water run-off, reducing the peak storm water impact on infrastructure.

• A generator with a motor that is EPA Tier II compliant and at max standby power operates at 560kW has been installed to further reduce potential Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emitted into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels during times of power outages. “This was a challenging project, especially given the time from when construction began to occupation – longer than usually experienced with commercial building projects. The design team needed to monitor the sustainability aspects through changes in both the designs and people

involved in the project – to ensure consistency was maintained and that we achieved compliance and met the criteria for the 4 Star Green Star rating,” indicates Dovey. “It’s been an incredible project to be involved with – one that has set a benchmark for public sector buildings in South Africa. In time, we expect the investment by DPW into the CBD will not only have positive social and economic sustainability spin offs, but will rejuvenate an important business node as part of the long-term strategy to revitalise Tshwane,” concludes Dovey. 

In more than 80 countries worldwide, wind farms generate clean and renewable power, and South Africa is no exception. From the shores of the Western Cape, across the Eastern and Northern Cape, to the Northern borders of South Africa, wind farms are producing power, creating local value and building futures. Since the first RE independent power producer (REIPP) started commercial operation at the end of 2013, 15 220 GWh have been generated, reducing carbon emissions by 15,4 Mtons. Of this, wind projects have contributed 7 603 GWh reducing carbon emissions by 7,7 Mtons. “Our industry can be proud, not only of the clean, green, renewable power that we are putting into the national grid, but for what we are contributing to communities across rural South Africa,” said Brenda Martin, CEO of the South African Wind power Association (SAWEA). In just three years South Africa has become the largest Wind power producer on the continent, generating 1,4 gigawatts from Celebrating and benefiting South Africa joined countries across the globe to celebrate G lobal Wind Day 2017. This worldwide event that occurs annually on 15 June, is and was a day for re-considering wind, and the power it holds to reshape our energy systems, decarbonise our economy and boost jobs and growth. About global wind day The European Wind power Association, and the Global Wind power Council, coordinate the Global Wind Day through a network of partners. The day started as a European one in 2007 and went Global in 2009. On 15 June, hundreds of public events were organised in 40 countries around the world.

600+ wind turbines. Wind power avoids the power-related use of water by around 600 million litres each year. Through the SA government-led RE Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REI4P), over the past four years Wind power has been directly supporting broader socio-economic objectives including thousands of jobs for local youth and women. While the programme implementation has been delayed for the past two years, due to an impasse with Eskom, this initial developmental impact can grow exponentially, once the outstanding Power Purchase Agreements are signed. “Among the delayed projects, approximately R7-billion, has been legally committed for socio- economic development by wind farms alone,” concluded Martin. 

How wind turbines produce electricity • Wind power is converted to mechanical energy through the turning turbine blades. • The turbine blades transfer this mechanical energy via the shaft and gearbox to the electrical generator that turns the mechanical energy into electrical energy (or power). • This electrical energy is then made grid compatible. • The grid compatible power is fed from the wind turbines via a network of underground cables across the wind farm to the project substation. The substation forms the connection point between the local wind farm grid and Eskom’s national grid. • Eskom’s grid then supplies this power, along with other power, to consumers.

Kouga Wind Farm in the Eastern Cape.

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD AUGUST 2017