By Justine Olivier
The consumption of electricity has never been as high as it is today, and it is only escalating. With such an increase in demand for more electricity, and with a major load of it being sold overseas, the need for smart energy-saving solutions has never been more urgent than it is today.
According to Eskom the demand for electricity may at certain times exceed the available supply which results in extreme measures being taken – such as load shedding – which interrupts usual energy supply.
Eskom CEO, Brian Dames says that the demand for electricity would have increased by about 2% in 2011, as the country’s economy recovers. He further adds that although load-shedding has been a solution in the past to saving energy supply, Eskom has resolved not to return to the disruptive load-shedding and also recognises that it cannot achieve this on its own.
This brings up the gas versus electricity debate – is one better to use than the other? Or should one use a combination of both to help alleviate the current electricity demand problem?
The main difference is that gas is definitely the cleaner of the two. Where electricity uses coal or heavy oil in its manufacturing process, creating more green houses gasses, natural gas is considered the cleanest burning fossil fuel improving air and water quality as opposed to the burning of coal.
It is important to note that coal mining in South Africa is relatively cheap in comparison to the rest of the world, and this has an impact on the nation’s prosperity which would explain why we as a nation have relied on this form of energy output.
The International Energy Agency estimates that there is enough natural gas to meet global demand for the next 250 years at today’s production rates. However, to rely solely on natural gas may leave one hesitant after years of relying on pure electricity but an incorporation of the two can yield beneficial results.
Mark Corry, of Efergy Technologies, says that an ideal solution would be to combine gas with solar to complement electricity usage. “Be practical,” he explains, “and try to get as close as you can to the ‘green nirvana’, by combining the two for home use. Cook your food and heat your home with gas, if and when possible”.
This will not only reduce your carbon footprint but also alleviate the demand for electricity. As Brian says, we all need to work together to create a culture of energy efficiency to save power, save our pockets and save the planet.
With thanks to Eskom, Efergy Technologies, and Shell
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