PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS

OneWorld is a privately owned sustainable development organisation based in , specialising in climate change and energy research and policy analysis in southern Africa.

The IIED is an international development and environmental policy research organisation based in London.

Teri is a not-for-profit policy research organisation based in New Delhi, specialising in energy, environment and sustainable development.

The Blue Crane Route Municipality is located in the , incorporating the towns of , and .

PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS AND COMPANIES Fort Hare University, Institute of Technology; Cacadu District Municipality; Wonderbag; Specialised Solar Systems; Maxlite; Kestrel Renewable Energy; GtekAfrika

SPEAKERS AND MODERATORS Hon. Marjorie Scott Mayor of the Blue Crane Route Municipality Wendy Fisher Secretary, Cacadu District Municipality Rural Economic Development John Notoane OneWorld Joint Project Leader Petrus Naude OneWorld Joint Project Leader Ben Garside IIED Representative Abhishek Kar TERI Representative Nico Lombard Director, Blue Crane Development Agency Councillor Mncedi Mali Chairperson Choices SA Project Steering Committee Andy Mason OneWorld Publishing Manager Trevor van der Vyver Maxlite Representative Dr Sampson Mamphweli University of Fort Hare Godfrey Afrika GrahamTek Representative Leon Gouws Kestrel Renewable Energy Representative Carlos Smith Specialised Solar Systems Representative Ed Hill Specialised Solar Systems Representative Eric Doro Blue Crane Route Municipality

SURVEY ENUMERATORS Loyiso Antoni, Basil Bikwa, Simphiwe Bonkolo, Levin Doro, Ntombizandile Dyasi, Mahlubandile Grootboom, Dawid Harris, Yolokazi Jama, Sakhumzi Kinana, Simphiwe Latola, Andre Maart, Ruyda Malgas, Bongani Manene, Sindiswa Memese, Zikhona Mens, Vuyokazi Mkosana, Sakhile Ntobela, Rose Pipes, Nomsa September, Xolela Soxujwa, Lungiswa Sparks, Lesego Swartland, Mcdam Swartz, Nkosomzi Tito, Ntomboxolo Yawa.

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS BCRM Blue Crane Router Municipality LPG Liquid Petroleum Gas BCDA Blue Crane Development Agency TERI The Energy and Resources Institute CHOICES Community and household options in REEEP Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency choosing energy services Partnership FBE Free Basic Energy PCE Portfolio Committee on Energy IDP Integrated development Plan PV Photo-voltaic IIED International Institute for Q&A Question and answer session Environmental Development TBC To be confirmed LED Light-emitting diode UK United Kingdom MESSAGES Message from the Mayor, the Hon. Marjorie Scott

We wish the Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) and the OneWorld-led CHOICES- SA Project well in their quest to strengthen community participation and ownership and improve energy access for the respective BCRM communities. Energy presents one of the most important challenges the world, and we in the BCRM, face today. We need to work together to provide more modern energy services to communities that have no electricity, as well as those that have access but are challenged by financial sustainability and lack of energy options.

The World Energy Council reports that 800 million BCRM Mayor, The Hon. Marjorie Scott people in Africa do NOT have access to electricity. A significant portion of these communities are in the We would like to encourage our international Southern Africa region. We should therefore use this partners, IIED and TERI, to continue the exercise of opportunity to look at all possible energy options, whilst knowledge sharing on this very important aspect of our ensuring we do so in a way that will improve community development trajectory. The community of the BCRM opportunities for job creation, better health care and has confidence that this partnership will bear fruit in the food security for the future. short term. A Message from the Joint Project Leaders, Petrus Naude and John Notoane We believe that rural communities should have the opportunity to participate in choosing what kinds of energy services are best suited to them. Citizens of the BCRM communities have the potential to become more energy self-reliant. For example, communities have played a role in a participatory household energy survey to determine their energy needs. Similiarly, they could initiate a development project to provide solar power for lighting, entertainment and water heating purposes, or form part of a dialogue to secure investors in community energy projects.

Green energy projects such as these can lead to green Joint Project Leaders, John Notoane and Petrus Naude jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities, such as small We would also like to thank IIED and TERI who are key businesses supporting access of energy efficiency partners in this project, and are represented at this products and solutions into the community, or the workshop, and to REEEP, the core funders of CHOICES- installation and maintenance of solar geysers and other SA. IIED’s Emma Wilson, who visited the BCRM in renewable energy systems. May 2012, welcomed the active support of the BCRM Municipality and other stakeholders in CHOICES-SA. “It We would like to thank the Mayor, the Hon. Marjorie is encouraging that the Blue Crane Route Municipality Scott, her Councillors and office bearers for the support perceives a need for this project,” she said. “IIED is fully they have given to the project to date, as well as the supports greater community participation in energy- community members who have played important roles related decision-making and the development of as enumerators and co-ordinators of the Community solutions”. Household Energy Survey. We are excited about the participation of the youth and strengthen the role of Finally, we would like to express our gratitude to the woman in the process, which is already evident in the community members who have taken this project on activities. board and have responded so positively to the energy challenges that we all face.

CHOICE - SA COMMUNITY WORKSHOP MANUAL CHOICES - SA BCRM COMMUNITY ENERGY WORKSHOP MANUAL 1 WORKSHOP 1: 12:30 Petrus Naude: Analysis of the BCRM Community Community Knowledge Sharing Household Energy Survey Results (Understand Household Energy Needs) and Energy Needs DAY 1: 27th February 2013 12:45 Ben Garside: Community Perceptions: Validation (Three Statements followed by Q&A 8:00 Registration, tea and coffee and Discussion) Session 1: W e l c o m e , I n t r o d u c ti o n s a n d W o r k s h o p o b j e c ti v es 12: 55 The Hon. Marjorie Scott:Conclusion of Wonder Bag Demonstration Game. Moderator: Councillor Mncedi Mali Moderator: John Notoane

9:00 Councilor Mncedi Mali: 13:00 LUNCH Welcome and Introductions

9:05 The Hon. Marjorie Scott : Opening Address Session 3: Sustainable Energy Access in the BCRM: What Does 9:20 Petrus Naude: Overview of Choices-SA Project It Mean? Workshop Objectives 14:00 Ben Garside: Summary of energy needs and Session 2: the types of ‘functions’ required delivering Scene Setting and Understanding Community Energy them (e.g coooking, lighting, entertainment, Needs and communications) Moderator: John Notoane 14:10 Petrus Naude: What is Sustainable Energy Access? 9:45 Nico Lombard: The Importance of Energy: • Energy Access Over view the BCRM Energy Development Plan • Energy Efficiency and Community Energy Needs • Renewable Energy • Sustainability in BCRM 10:00 Phumelelo Kate: Energy needs and energy investment in the Cacadu District: Overview of 14:30 Representatives of Energy Efficiency Companies: The Cacadu District IDP Examples of locally available energy efficiency solutions, and how these could benefit BCRM 10:15 Q&A and Discussion communities • Cooking 10:30 Lesego Swartland: Demonstration of the • Heating Amazing Wonderbag Cooker. Wonderbag • Lighting Representative: A brief discussion of the Wonder Bag as an 15:00 Representatives of Renewable Energy example of energy efficiency Companies: Examples of locally available renewable energy, and how it could benefit 10:40 Group Photo BCRM communities • Solar PV Technology 10:45 Tea and Coffee • Solar Water Heating Technology • Biomass to Energy Technology 11:00 John Notoane: Feedback and Key Messages • Hydro Technology from the Community Household Energy Survey • Wind

11:15 Case Studies from the Community Household 15: 50 Q&A and Discussion Energy Survey Moderator: Eric Doro 16:00 Tea and Coffee • Yolokhazi Jama: Case Study of Lack of Energy Access 16:15 The Energy Life Game • Andre Maart: Case Study of Energy Access Moderator: Andy Mason • Sakhile Ntobela: Case Study of Energy Inefficiency 17:00 End of Workshop 1 Programme and Wrap up • Lesego Swartland: Case Study of Energy Efficiency

CHOICES - SA BCRM COMMUNITY ENERGY WORKSHOP MANUAL 2 WORKSHOP 2: 12:00 Speaker TBC: Hydropower: Mini and Micro Community Sustainable Energy Hydro Access Training 12:15 Nico Lombard: Hydropower: An Immediate DAY 2: 1 March 2013 BCRM opportunity

8:00 Registration 12:30 Carlos Smith: Micro & Mini-Grid Solutions and Management Systems Session 1: Workshop Objectives and Review of Day 1 Learnings 12:45 Q&A and Discussion Moderator: Nico Lombard 13:00 LUNCH 9:00 Petrus Naude: Overview of the Purpose and Objectives of the Workshop 14:00 Session 3, Part 2: Understanding Energy 9:15 Ben Garside: Review and extension of key Efficiency learnings from Day 1 Moderator: Abhishek Kar

Session 2: Understanding Community Energy Needs 14:00 Abhishek Kar: Understanding E n e r g y E ffi c i e n cy for Energy Access Planning 14:10 Petrus Naude / Trevor van der Vyver: Energy Moderator: Ben Garside Efficiency Technologies 9:30 Nico Lombard: Community-focused Objectives • Heating of the BCRM Energy Plan: Programmes and • Cooking Opportunities • Lighting

9:45 John Notoane: BCRM Community Energy Needs 14:30 Petrus Naude: Energy Efficiency – Short Term and Economic Implications based on Survey Impact through Behavioral Awareness Results and Community Feedback

Session 4: Preparations for Menu of Options Session 3: Technical Demonstrations of Renewable Workshop Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Options 15:00 Petrus Naude: Training on the Menu of Options Moderator: Petrus Naude Decision Making Tool & Process

Session 3, Part 1: Renewable Energy Options 15:45 Coffee and Tea Break

10:00 Petrus Naude: Understanding Renewable Energy Session 4: Household Energy Needs and 10: 15 Carlos Smith: Solar Energy: Solar PV Choices Role Play Game, Moderator: Andy Mason 10:30 Trevor van der Vyver: Solar Energy: Solar Water 16:00 Introduction to the Game Heating 16:10 Facilitated Group Work 10:45 Coffee and Tea Break 16:30 Role Play Presentations 11:00 Dr Sampson Mamphweli: Waste-to-energy: Biomass-to-energy 17:00 Vote for Best Role Play

11: 15 Godfrey Afrika: Waste-to-energy: Non-biomass 17:15 Q&A and Discussion (plastics) to gas 17:30 Closure 11: 30 Nico Lombard: Wind Energy: Utility-scale wind projects and Community Opportunity.

11:45 Leon Gouws (TBC): Community scale project potential

CHOICES - SA BCRM COMMUNITY ENERGY WORKSHOP MANUAL 3 Workshop 3: 13:00 LUNCH Community Menu of Options for Somerset East, Cookhouse and Pearston Session 3: Application of the Menu of Options DAY 3: 3,4 & 5 March 2013 Framework (continued) Moderator: Petrus Naude 8:00 Registration 14: 00 Introduction Session 1: Welcome, Workshop Objectives and Review of Learnings 14:15 Interactive Group Work Sessions (continued) Moderator: BCRM Representative (TBC) 15:30 Coffee and Tea Break 9:00 Welcome: Ward Committee Chairperson 15:45 Interactive Group Work Sessions (continued) 9:10 Councillor (TBC) Official Opening

9:20 Petrus Naude: Overview of the Purpose and Session 4: Integration and Evaluation of Objectives of the Workshop CommunityEnergy Options Generated 16:30 Group Discussion to Integrate and Evaluate 9:30 Ben Garside: Review and extension of key Options Generated: learnings from Workshops 1 & 2 Moderator: Ben Garside

Session 2: Validating and Confirming the Specific 17:15 Conclusion and Next Steps Community Energy Needs in the Context of the Local Moderator: Councillor (TBC) Municipal Development Plans Moderator: TBC 17:30 Closure

9:45 Head of Department Technical Services / Councillor (TBC):Detailed Overview of Specific Community Energy Development Needs as per Official Integrated Development Plan

10:00 Representative of the Blue Crane Development Agency (TBC): Community Specific Energy Development Plans in the context of the BCRM Plan

10:15 John Notoane: Community Specific Energy Needs – Feedback from the Surveys

10:30 Group Discussions to Confirm Community Needs Moderator: Abhishek Kar

10:45 Group Plenary Feedback Discussion

S e s s i o n 3 : G e n e r a ti n g C o m m u n i t y E n e r g y O p ti o ns Moderator: Petrus Naude

11:00 Introduction of the Menu of Options Decision Framework and Planning Process

Moderator: TBC 11:15 Interactive Group Work Sessions: Application of the Menu of Options Framework – Choosing Options • Cooking • Heating • Lighting • Productive Uses

CHOICES - SA BCRM COMMUNITY ENERGY WORKSHOP MANUAL 4 BACKGROUND About CHOICES-SA

Located two hours north of in the Blue Crane Route Municipality (BCRM), which includes Somerset East, Pearston and Cookhouse, CHOICES-SA aims to work with local government and community structures to promote greater community participation in accessing energy, using energy efficiently, and becoming better informed about the potential for green energy solutions, such as solar, biomass and wind to address community needs, in the BCRM.

In this way, CHOICES-SA hopes to contribute to the capacity building of local communities, which will Project Parameters improve the quality of life in these communities and hopefully lead to the creation of employment • Funded by the REEEP (The Renewable Energy opportunities. CHOICES-SA has already begun the and Energy Efficiency Partnership), CHOICES-SA process of exploring local renewable energy solutions is implemented by OneWorld Sustainable and looking at ways to attract private sector and Investments (SA) in association with the government investment in renewable energy projects in International Institute for Environmental the area. Development (IIED)(UK), and The Energy Research Institute (TERI) (India). CHOICES-SA is all about unlocking the potential of every member of the community to conserve money and other • The Project Partners and Beneficiaries are the precious resources by using energy efficiently, better Blue Crane Route Municipality (BCRM), the understanding their own energy needs and gaining Blue Crane Route Development Agency (BCDA), knowledge about energy choices and the processes and the communities of the BCRM Wards of needed to bring these about. We are encouraged by Somerset East, Cookhouse and Pearston. current statements of interest and support for Choices- SA from the leadership of relevant District and Provincial • Project Timeline: May 2012 to July 2013 departments in the Eastern Cape. Choices SA is seeking to align to the government strategic responses to the • While the project is initially based in the BCRM, challenges of energy access on the local, district and it is designed to be replicated in other provincial level. municipalities.

While CHOICES-SA is working at present with the Blue Crane Route Municipality, the project has replication “CHOICES-SA potential to be expanded to include the whole of the is an opportunity for Cacadu District Municipality and other rural areas in the short to medium term. capacity building. The community must have joint Blue Crane Mayor Marjorie Scott is an enthusiastic supporter of the project. “We are always willing to responsibility.” support projects that build capacity in our communities and enable our constituency to improve their situation,” she said.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Councillor Mendile Nontyi, who holds the Community Services portfolio in the municipal council. “Choices-SA is an opportunity for capacity building. We are appreciative that we’ll be involved from the beginning in a project like this,” he said. “The community must have joint ownership and share accountability, through its structures, for its success.”

CHOICES - SA BCRM COMMUNITY ENERGY WORKSHOP MANUAL 5 BACKGROUND Energy Problems In Rural Areas

A major challenge facing is the lack of adequate energy services to provide for the basic needs of communities and to support socio-economic development in rural areas. Many rural communities lack access to electricity. The limited potential of future electricity supply from the national grid will further hamper sustainable development.

Where communities do have access to electricity, their Where rural households do not have access to electricity, electricity usage is often limited, for economic reasons, they often have to rely on traditional energy sources to the 50 Kilowatt hours per month provided by the such as wood and paraffin, and on inefficient appliances Department of Energy’s Free Basic Electricity (FBE) for cooking, lighting and heating, These can pose serious grant. Such communities are often referred to as being health and safety risks. However, alternative low- “energy poor”. However, CHOICES-SA prefers to see cost appliances do exist, and there are an increasing these communities as “lacking energy access”. CHOICES- number of renewable energy options – such as solar, SA believes that these communities have the potential wind, biomass and hydro – that could potentially be to increase their energy access by learning about energy used instead. However these new or alternative energy and how to use electricity efficiently. options have been slow to reach the rural areas of South Africa. To date, there has not been enough investment Access to energy is important for community for the development of innovative energy solutions in self-reliance. CHOICES-SA therefore believes that rural areas. communities should try to gain as much control over their energy lives as possible. A lack of awareness of A key problem to be addressed is the lack of investor how to deal with energy challenges has a negative effect confidence to fund community energy access solutions on the ability of communities to become more self- or projects on a larger scale. Key issues such as reliant, and to show greater ownership in resolving their community ownership or sustainability are not often energy problems. Communities will therefore benefit addressed in a participatory way with communities, from learning about alternative energy options and how and for this reason, often result in failure. Problems to participate in the process of addressing the energy in the implementation of government energy policy needs they have identified. also hamper efforts to increase community access to sustainable energy solutions.

CHOICES - SA BCRM COMMUNITY ENERGY WORKSHOP MANUAL 6 A Community Approach to Energy Access

There are many things that you can do on your own to improve Your Energy Life. But some things are too big and too expensive for people to do on their own. These are things like setting up a waste-to-energy project, or a mini-hydropower project, or even an LPG gas distribution project.

These larger and more expensive projects need to financed by the government or private sector company The CHOICES-SA Development investors, and they need to be coordinated by local Process government and community structures, in collaboration • Select partner communities for project with relevant service providers and other stakeholders. implementation The workshop will look at a number of these options. • Create a workable model that can be sustained According to Oneworld’s John Ntoane: “The CHOICES-SA • Ensure that the model can be replicated in model could become an exemplar for other communities other rural municipalities across the country; the start of a movement towards • Work with local government and broad-based energy access. The key is to inspire and community structures to ensure that local empower local communities to take an active role in communities are able to play a leading developing their own energy solutions.” role in the development of their own energy solutions. Choices-SA aims to achieve this by building community • Get potential investors involved to ensure understanding of what local alternative energy resources the future financing of energy services. are available, by learning about community energy use • Build local government participation, and efficiency, and by developing the business skills that long-term commitment and support. will enable communities to collaborate with investors and developers who share their green energy vision. HOW’S YOUR ENERGY LIFE? • Do you have access to energy? • If so, what sources of energy do you have Understanding Your Energy Life access to? In order to empower communities with understanding, • Are you spending more than you can afford on CHOICES-SA is focusing on “Your Energy Life” as a way energy? to get each one of us to look at our use of energy in our • Are you using energy efficiently? own lives. You can start thinking about your energy life by • Do you know which appliances in your house answering the questions in the box alongside. are the cheapest to use? • Do you know which appliances are the most If you know the answers to all these questions, you have expensive to use? a good understanding of your energy life. If you don’t, • Are there other (alternative) appliances that you this workshop will help you to gain this knowledge and could be using? understanding. Hopefully, the workshop will also help you • Are there any alternative energy sources that to start making the changes you need to make to improve you could be using? your energy life. • Do you know how to go about changing from more expensive and inefficient energy sources and appliances to cheaper and more efficient It’s time to take a ones? serious look at how we use energy in our everyday lives

CHOICES - SA BCRM COMMUNITY ENERGY WORKSHOP MANUAL 7 COMMUNITY HOUSEHOLD ENERGY SURVEY What the Survey tells Us

The CHOICES-SA Community Household Energy Survey tells us that there is plenty of scope to improve the energy lives of people in the BCRM and thereby improve the quality of community life. The primary reason people have not been able to improve their energy lives is because average household incomes are low, while energy is very expensive. About 40% of people in the BCRM rely on social grants for income. 89% of people earn less than R2500 a month. More efficient uses of energy, new renewable forms of energy, and a good “energy mix” between the new and the old will help people stretch their money to make it last longer, and ensure that the energy they can afford goes further.

37% of the people surveyed have no access to electricity, Solar heating is not yet an important means of providing while 12% make do with the government’s Free Basic hot water in the BCRM, but it is expected to increase Electricity grant of 50 kilowatt hours (KWh) per month. rapidly in the future. At present only 5% of people use 11% use 100 kWh per month. 37% have more access to solar energy. This is another area of renewable energy electricity than this, but everybody is finding electricity that represebnts a big revenue-generating opportunity very expensive at the moment. These statistics suggest for BCRM entrepreneurs. that even small changes in energy access and the way it is used could make a big difference to people’s lives. To summarise, electricity is expensive and becoming more so. Other ways of thinking about energy, saving Those who must rely on firewood for most of their energy and stretching the family budget for energy energy, and candles for lighting, spend a lot time finding purchases need to be found. firewood that they could be using more productively. About 20% of people use mbaulas, which cause a lot CHOICES-SA would like to see all kinds of “energy of smoke, for cooking. An improvement will happen if transitions” in the BCRM. This refers to people moving these people could move to something more efficient, from one energy source to something better. For and not so polluting. example, people who rely on firewood could move to LP gas or paraffin, or more efficient wood stoves. The Survey tells us that most people who use paraffin Improvements in people’s energy lives are obvioulsy would move to electricity if they could. However there easier if there are improvements in employment and are other options that should be considered. One is income which people to spend a bit more on energy. liquid petroleum gas (LPG), which is comparatively But even under current conditions, there are lots of cheap. Lots people are already moving to LP gas opportunities for energy innovation and development. for cooking and cooking and water heating. The Further education on different forms of energy and their main problem with LPG is that it is not easy to get costs, such as the CHOICES-SA Workshop, must continue in rural areas. Projects to distribute LPG gas to rural to empower the people. communities could represent an income-generating opportunity for BCRM entrepreneurs.

The Survey shows that electricity is the preferred source of lighting because it is so convenient. Good lighting makes a big difference in people’s lives. For example, 88% of people have at least one or two children in school, and electric light makes studying so much more possible.

Free Basic Electricity (FBE) makes a big difference to people’s lives because it allows them to use labour- saving devices, preserve food and have better forms of entertainment. However, most people (87%) run out of their 50 KWh allocation within three weeks, following which they have to buy more, which is expensive. The 50 KWh allocation could be made to last the whole month by combining it with other sources of energy to make an affordable “energy mix”. A switch to cheaper forms of energy for some appliances (e.g. LP gas for cooking and some water heating) will make the total budget spent on energy go further. CHOICES - SA BCRM COMMUNITY ENERGY WORKSHOP MANUAL 8

40

4035 3530 3025 2520 2015 1510 105 50 0 799 1000 1900 3750 6500 9500 Number of households of Number 799 1000 1900 3750 6500 9500

Number of households of Number Income range (R/month) Income range (R/month) Figure 1 The income ranges of people who pay less than 5% for their energy services FigureFigure 1 The 1income The income ranges rangesof people of who people pay lesswho than pay 5%less for than their 5% energy for their services energy services

140 140120

120

100 10080 8060 6040 Number Number of households 40 Number Number of 20 households 200 0 No 50 100 <200 >200 accessNo kWh50 100kWh <200kWh >200kWh access kWh kWh kWh kWh Figure Figure2 Many 2households Many households either little or either no access little to or modern no access forms toof energy modern services forms of energy services (connection(connection to the toelectricity the electricity grid), or grid), have orlimited have access limited (defined access by (defined limited use).by limited use). Figure 2 Many households either little or no access to modern forms of energy services (connection to the electricity grid), or have limited access (defined by limited use).

250

200

150

100 Number of Number households 50

0 Electricity Paraffin LP gas Firewood

FigureFigure 3 Relative3 Relative proportions proportions of of people people using using different different forms forms of of energy energy

CHOICES - SA BCRM COMMUNITY ENERGY WORKSHOP MANUAL 9

2/2 OneWorld Sustainable Investments SUSTAINABLE ENERGY What is Renewable Energy? Sustainable energy access comes about through a Renewable energy comes from a source that cannot combination of energy efficiency and using renewable be depleted, such as the sun, rivers and wind, or can energy sources wherever possible in addition to, or be quickly replenished, as with biomass from waste. even instead of, electricity from the national grid. Renewable energy technologies (RETs) such as solar PV, solar water heaters or wind turbines can turn nature into The Keys to Sustainable Energy: Energy a constantly renewed energy source that can perform many useful energy services for us. Efficiency and Renewable Energy Renewable energy sources include: The Key to Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency means using less energy to provide Wind energy technologies the same or better service. For example an energy Wind power can be harnessed for both generation of efficient light bulb uses 70% less energy compared electricity (wind generators) and irrigation (windmill to the less efficient inefficient traditional light bulb. pumps). The amount of energy produced from wind Similarly, an efficient wood stove can use 50% less energy technologies is variable because it is dependent wood than cooking on an open fire. Energy efficiency on the wind speed, which is constantly changing. is an important consideration for communities to help manage the increasing cost of electricity in South Africa Solar photovoltaic (PV) and save precious resources. Where communities use Solar PV panels convert sunlight directly into electricity. wood for cooking, energy efficiency can save you many Solar PV is most appropriate for low power requirements hours a day that would have been spent collecting wood. (a few watts up to a few kW), such as lighting (with The key to saving money on electricity is to understand energy efficient light bulbs), radio, television, charging how energy is used and which appliances use the most mobile phones, refrigerators, small appliances and energy. The following table provides a breakdown of the electric water pumps. A battery is usually required to typical energy usage in a house that has electricity and store the energy for usage during the evening. uses approximately 140 units per month.

Helpful Household Hints By changing the way you use energy you can start saving immediately. Try these helpful household hints: • Turn your geyser temperature down to 60o Celsius • Use less hot water by heating only the quantity of hot water that you need (e.g. Don’t fill up the kettle). • Switch off all electrical equipment when it is not in use. • Physically turn off appliance switches or at the wall (e.g. a TV or Hi-Fi), instead of leaving them on stand- by (they still use electricity otherwise). • Make one-pot meals and keep lids on pots. • Bring foods to the boil quickly on the “high” setting, A solar panel supplies energy to this rural house. then turn the heat down to “simmer” to finish cooking. Solar heating • (Better still, get a Wonderbag, whicvh cooks without Passive solar technology is widely used for heating using electricity. water and cooking food. Solar cookers and collectors • If you do not have a frost-free refrigerator or freezer, concentrate the sun and convert it directly to heat. They make sure that thick frost does not accumulate in the are useful in areas with strong sun and requirement fridge. Thick frost in a fridge or freezer reduces its for an alternative energy source due to biomass fuel cooling ability. shortages. Examples are solar water heaters or solar cookers. Energy-efficient products • Install an efficient shower head that uses less water. Biomass energy technologies • Insulate your geyser. Biomass is a general term which covers a wide variety • Install efficient lighting. of material of plant or animal origin, such as wood With funding support: and wood residues, agricultural residues, animal and • Install a solar water heater human faeces, all of which can yield useful fuels either • Insulate the ceiling/ roof. directly or after some form of conversion to improve fuel properties

CHOICES - SA BCRM COMMUNITY ENERGY WORKSHOP MANUAL 10 Biogas – waste used to generate electricty Domestic biogas systems convert animal manure and human excrement at household level into small, but valuable, amounts of combustible methane gas. This ‘biogas’ can be effectively used in simple gas stoves for cooking and in lamps for lighting. The plant consists of a digester to mix and store the ingredients and a container for the resulting biogas.

Hydropower Water power can be harnessed in many ways. The most common way is to use a turbine which is turned by moving water. The output from the turbine can be can be used directly as mechanical power or connected to an electrical generator to produce electricity. Mechanical power is suitable for some productive livelihood activities such as milling grain, oil extraction, sawmills, carpentry workshops etc. Electricity can be supplied to homes directly through an electrical distribution system or by means of batteries that are periodically recharged at the generator.

(Source: Renewable Energy to Reduce Poverty in Africa Toolkit for Planning Decentralised Renewable Energy Projects, Christian Aid, 2010.)

Diagram illustrating a hydropower system

CHOICES - SA BCRM COMMUNITY ENERGY WORKSHOP MANUAL 11 CHOICES-SA Energy access for Improved Rural Livelihoods in the Blue Crane Route Municipality

PROJECT GOAL The CHOICES-SA Project is exploring the feasibility of community-participation models for delivering rural energy services that result in greater local benefits. The project aims to work with local communities to explore local renewable energy sources, and to attract investors through a process that will hopefully improve people’s quality of life and create local employment and development opportunities.

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION CHOICES-SA focuses on building the community’s capacity to identify local “energy for development” options and to develop these options for the benefit of the local population, especially the least advantaged. This involves building understanding of local energy resources, current investment plans and local skills and capacities; learning about potential ownership and financing models for future projects; learning about energy use and efficiency; and identifying potential partnerships.

PARTICIPATING COMMUNITIES • Somerset East • Pearston • Cookhouse

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT Communities and households should have a choice in what energy options they prefer, especially if green energy provides local benefits.

This project aims to:

• Explore local energy access options with community participation

• Create a workable rural energy access model that can Working with the Community to explore local be used as an exemplar in other parts of SA energy access options to improve rural livelihoods

• Empower communities to take part in their own energy services solutions

• Inspire investor confidence and interest in the future financing of services

• Obtain long-term commitment and support from government.

CHOICES - SA BCRM COMMUNITY ENERGY WORKSHOP MANUAL 12