A Survey on the Understanding and Viewpoints of Renewable Energy among South African School Students

Abstract

Renewable energy has become an essential component for the survival of human beings. This is because conventional energy supply is limited, nearing its limits, and or destroying our environment. The complete transition to renewable energy is a major approach to achieving sustainable and clean energy distribution progress in this ever-changing and demanding world. This research work investigates the knowledge of renewable energy among the youth and their understanding of sustainable energy prosperity towards meeting the future generation's energy needs. To achieve this, a set of questionnaires was developed to identify their knowledge of various renewable energy resources, energy aspects, applications, and the extent to which the current syllabus provides a well-developed background. They were administered to high school students in KwaZulu-Natal, Durban. The main findings of this investigation reveal that the students were most familiar with solar energy, which could be due to the increasing availability of solar panels across the nation. However, a lack of awareness and little understanding of geothermal energy was noted among the high school students. This indicates a poor future for its development. Furthermore, 86% of the students agreed that conventional energy sources would likely still be relied upon by a significant portion of the global population to meet daily energy needs. Therefore, the government must take swift action to address these issues, by promoting the deployment of renewable energy sources in schools.

Reviewing the application of big data analytics in satellite network management to optimize performance and enhance reliability, with implications for future technology developments

“…The use of big data analytics is also having a significant impact on satellite network management practices. Companies are increasingly adopting a proactive approach to network management, using data analytics to predict and prevent issues before they occur (Ewim et al, 2023). For example, instead of waiting for equipment to fail before taking action, companies can use predictive maintenance techniques to identify potential issues and address them proactively.…”

Renewable Energy Integration for Water Supply: A Comparative Review of African and U.S. Initiatives

“…Hydro energy, generated from flowing or stored water, is utilized in large-scale water treatment and distribution systems, capitalizing on its ability to deliver steady and substantial power output. Geothermal energy, sourced from the earth's heat, offers a sustainable option for heating water in treatment processes, especially in areas with geothermal activity (Ewim, Abolarin, Scott, & Anyanwu, 2023;Liu, Yang, & Yang, 2021;Pryor, Barthelmie, & Shepherd, 2021;Rohit et al, 2023). The adoption of renewable energy in water supply systems signifies a transformative shift towards sustainability and energy efficiency.…”

A Comprehensive Review of Wind Turbine Modeling for Addressing Energy Challenges in Nigeria and South Africa in the 4IR Context

“…As the world continues to face significant energy challenges, many countries are exploring the potential of renewable and alternative energy sources to meet their energy demands (Dioha et al, 2021;Egieya et al, 2022;Ewim et al, 2022;Ewim et al, 2023;Hoogwijk & Graus, 2008;Ntuli et al, 2022). Wind energy, in particular, has emerged as a popular solution due to its low environmental impact and cost-effectiveness (Abbas et al, 2020).…”

“…As a result, Nigeria's energy sector is struggling to meet the country's energy demands, with frequent power outages and load shedding affecting businesses and households. Similarly, South Africa's energy sector also faces challenges, including a lack of investment, an aging infrastructure, and environmental concerns (Andrade et al, 2020;Ewim et al, 2023). The country's energy demand is expected to grow by 2.5% annually until 2040, with a significant portion of this demand being met by renewable energy sources (Rennkamp et al, 2017).…”