Application of research protocols in commercial renewable energy research and development in South Africa.
Date
2014-07-31
Authors
Pahalad, Nivesh
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This report addresses the infant commercial renewable energy sector in South
Africa (SA). Renewable energy is seen as the alternative to fossil fuel based
energy but the consideration of research protocols encompassing more than just
technical and statutory requirements needs to be assessed so as to ascertain
possible adverse unintended consequences especially when rapidly deploying
new technologies.
Data was collected via semi-structured interviews with subject matter experts
(SMEs). A cross sectional design was thus adopted as a content analysis relating
to a single point in time was carried out. The limited number of SMEs and infant
nature of this sector in SA lent further credence to this approach and deterred one
from a quantitative, longitudinal, case study or comparative approach. The three
key findings obtained based on the proposed research questions were: (i) The
vast majority of the industry is unaware of the models, though they are in fact
familiar with aspects highlighted in the Five Capitals Model on a high level but less
conversant with the details of the Twelve Features of Sustainable Societies
Model, (ii) The greatest emphasis from industry role players is focussed on the
financial aspect of the model with a fundamentally different definition of financial
capital(the model defines financial capital as an aggregate of all other capitals
whereas industry views financial capital from a purely capitalistic perspective), and
(iii) Individual accountability for unaddressed consequences (negligence) was
deemed appropriate with collective accountability (upper management) for
unintended consequences deemed appropriate.
Renewables technology has the potential to propel society to a new age, the
transition to this age can however only be quantified over a generation and
requires a paradigm shift in order to be realised. Whilst this transition occurs, the
possibility for adverse unintended consequences is greatest and needs to be
minimised. The adoption and application of the proposed research protocols will
undoubtedly assist in achieving this.
Description
MBA 2014
Keywords
Renewable energy sources,Energy policy,Sustainable development.