Browsing by Author "Rasimphi, Khuliso James"

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    Exploring the environmental impacts of fly ash on Eskom's business sustainability and sustainable development: a study on Kriel power station in Mpumalanga province of South Africa
    (2018) Rasimphi, Khuliso James
    Fly ash generated at coal fired power stations is associated with various environmental impacts. The aim of this study was to particularly investigate alternative ways in which fly ash generated at Kriel Power Station can be managed effectively to minimize environmental impacts in order to ensure alignment with the notion of sustainable development. The study was primarily focused on exploring the impacts of Kriel Power Station’s fly ash as well as current fly management practices within the context of contemporary principles of environmental management and sustainable development. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were used for data collection. Purposive sampling was used as primary sampling procedure to select fitting sample from the study population. Data from structured questionnaire surveys, semi- structured interviews as well as existing records was used for data collection. This study has found that fly ash utilization is an ideal management practice which is aligned with sustainable development notion as compared to disposal to ash dams. Kriel Power Station’s fly ash was found to consist of various valuable elements which can be used for various industrial production purposes. The findings further suggest that the very same valuable chemical elements found in Kriel Power Station’s fly ash can cause adverse environmental impacts such as water, land and air pollution depending on the management approach. One of the key findings of this research is that fly ash utilization program is currently not well marketed in South Africa; and there is a need for all relevant stakeholders to work together to educate the public on the opportunities presented by fly ash. As part of concluding remarks, this study also suggested some enabling policies which can be established in order to optimize fly ash utilization from the regulator level (national level) to the generator and end user level (institutions). Recommendations on relevant future studies which can potentially be undertaken to explore adverse impacts as well as benefits of fly ash were also made.
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    Perspectives on climate change and energy security in South Africa: a study of Eskom
    (2024) Rasimphi, Khuliso James
    Global changes in climatic conditions have both direct and indirect implications on various energy sources and systems, particularly in terms of energy generation vis-à-vis security for sustainable social-economic development. This study examined the relationship between climate change and energy security in South Africa, focusing on energy production, accessibility, and affordability as key determinants. The investigation also explored measures to minimise Eskom’s carbon footprint and opportunities for transitioning the energy sector to cleaner energy sources. A mixed research method, including structured questionnaire surveys, semi-structured interviews, observations, and existing records, was used for data collection. The data was mainly analysed by use of the Microsoft Excel package to generate statistical correlations and relationships to draw the key conclusions contained in this paper. Eskom coal power plants’ ten-year (2010 to 2020) carbon footprint was found to be constantly above 200 million per year. The power utility’s ten-year CO2e trend was primarily influenced by production activities. This is because all Eskom’s coal power plants (except for Medupi) do not have CO2e abatement technology, and the available technologies in the market are too expensive. The study also found that Waterberg (LP) and Nkangala (MP) regions, where most coal power plants are located, have been receiving inconsistent and insufficient rainfall from 2010 to 2021; and projections are suggesting a further decline in precipitation distribution and incline in average temperatures in these regions. Despite all these glaring climate change implications, the current study found that water consumption (2020 to 2021 trend) at coal power plants remained high even in periods wherein energy availability factor had dropped, and therefore indicative of thermal inefficiency. The study also found that South Africa’s slow approach in building a climate change resilient and adaptive energy system was caused by a slow and ineffective implementation of IRP. Thus, South Africa must embark on a decisive transition programme to cleaner energy sources mix as a critical and urgent measure to decarbonize and enhance the energy sector’s resilience against climate change effects, and ensure energy availability, reliability and affordability. The study concludes that Eskom coal power plants should focus their efforts on resolving maintenance problems, operational inefficiencies, and developing adaptation strategies to decarbonize and build resilience against climate change vulnerabilities such as irregular precipitation and high temperature, while ensuring energy security. The energy policy and IRP should be adaptive and continuously informed by regional research to determine the most suitable energy sources for specific regions to ensure an effective transition to cleaner energy systems.