Turning points for sustainability transitions: Institutional destabilization, public finance and the techno-economic dynamics of decarbonization in South Africa

Walwyn, David Richard

doi:10.1016/j.erss.2020.101784

Cited by 13 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…The high dependence on coal and pumped storage, which exists due to abundant and cheap coal deposits, and a specific investment programme for new power stations implemented in the 1960s to the 1980s, has become a significant barrier to the decarbonisation of the South African economy [7]. Although South Africa is a signatory of the 2015 Paris Agreement [8], it has made little progress towards the attainment of its nationally determined contributions [9,10]. The rapid acceleration of its renewable energy programme remains essential if the country is to reach these targets.…”

Section: Energy Storage Applications In Power Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Balancing Renewable Energy Capacity, Time of Use Tariffs and Energy Storage in Energy Systems

Walwyn¹

2023

Energy Storage Applications in Power Systems

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The intermittency of solar energy predicates the simultaneous use of energy storage to maintain secure supplies. However, storage is expensive to instal and maintain, suggesting that there is an optimum design based on the price tolerance of electricity markets. In this chapter, a method for the calculation of the optimal size of a battery energy storage system (BESS), linked to utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) capacity, is presented. The method, which is illustrated by its application to the South African national grid (GridSA), uses historical generation/demand data to construct a spreadsheet model of the energy system. The model assumes that the difference between base load and energy demand, referred to as headroom, will be met using variable energy sources, including wind, solar, diesel/gas and batteries. Optimal sizing of these components to minimize the use of gas in summer, and make maximum use of low-cost solar and wind, leads to a configuration for GridSA consisting of a 22 GW base load (coal and nuclear), a PV installed capacity of 17.8 GW and a BESS capacity of 3.7 GW/10.4 GWh. A peak time of use tariff of ZAR3,500 per MWh (almost double the average tariff) will be optimal to build an economic case for energy storage as a sustainable option for GridSA.

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Section: Energy Storage Applications In Power Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Balancing Renewable Energy Capacity, Time of Use Tariffs and Energy Storage in Energy Systems

Walwyn¹

2023

Energy Storage Applications in Power Systems

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“…tightly bound to energy and mining capital" (Baker et al 2014:797). Eskom, the state-owned power utility, generates roughly 95% of South Africa's electricity (mostly from coal), transmits 90% and distributes 60% (Baker 2015a), and is responsible for over 45% of South African greenhouse gas emissions (Walwyn 2020), making it the "the continent's largest" polluter (Baker et al 2014:792). Eskom single-handedly accounts for 70% of domestic coal consumption, with Sasol representing an additional 20% through the aforementioned CTL technique.…”

Section: Scope: South Africa's International Fossil Fuel Finance Flowsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2014:797). Eskom, the state‐owned power utility, generates roughly 95% of South Africa’s electricity (mostly from coal), transmits 90% and distributes 60% (Baker 2015a), and is responsible for over 45% of South African greenhouse gas emissions (Walwyn 2020), making it the “the continent’s largest” polluter (Baker et al. 2014:792).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Unsettled “Stranded Asset Debt”? Proposing a Supply‐Side Counterpart to the “Climate Debt” in a Bid to Guide a Just Transition from Fossil Fuels in South Africa and Beyond

Rempel

2022

Antipode

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The reign of the fossil fuel empire must come to an end if the average global temperature rise is to be meaningfully capped. Accordingly, a myriad of financial and non‐financial stranded assets will be generated in the process. Ample research has explored the implications for a South African fossil transition from a domestic perspective, but a lacuna persists in linking South Africa’s fossil regime to broader international finance flows, and particularly the role that actors from the “global North” should play in phasing out South African fossil fuels. This research finds that such institutions have exacerbated South Africa’s prospective stranded asset exposure, and by doing so, have accrued a Stranded Asset Debt (SAD)—as a supply‐side counterpart to the demand‐side climate debt, which they have also accumulated—perhaps to the tune of at least several dozens of billions of dollars. Although the Paris Agreement is flawed, it embodies language that can be leveraged to settle the SAD “bill”.

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“…This shows that universities face financial constraints to set priorities and directions in addressing sustainability issues. The literature (Abad-Segura and González-Zamar, 2021; Filho et al , 2019; Ramísio et al , 2019; Walwyn, 2020) on finance for sustainability show that sustainable efforts pay off in the long run. Generally, this is possible in the developed countries, as the developing countries consider this as an excuse to promote economic development (Cobbinah et al , 2015).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Barriers to sustainability at Pakistan public universities and the way forward

Bukhari

Said

Gul

et al. 2021

IJSHE

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Purpose Sustainability has globally become a mantra to address complex and unprecedented survival, social, political and peace issues. Higher education institutions bear responsibility to address them. This paper aims to explore barriers that Pakistani public universities (PPUs) face in embedding sustainability at their campuses. This paper also offers potential opportunities to take initiatives to minimize barriers and move towards a sustainable future. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on case study approach, and data were gathered through interviews and documents. Interviews with 11 academic administrators were conducted to gain deeper understanding on issues of governance and its influence on sustainability. Data were analysed using thematic analysis that created thematic map/model. Findings Key findings include, firstly, that majority of participants think poor governance is the biggest issue in demoting sustainability. This barrier causes an array of interconnected barriers. Secondly, participants strongly associate unsustainability with lack of institutional change and training. Finally, lack of resources was the most frequently articulated barrier. Findings provided a rationale to propose suggestions to promote sustainability. Originality/value Developed countries are leaders in promoting sustainability, whereas developing countries are laggards. Pakistan, a developing country, does not have substantial research to reveal the barriers PPUs are facing to promote sustainability. This paper is an attempt to address research gap in identifying barriers to sustainability.

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Turning points for sustainability transitions: Institutional destabilization, public finance and the techno-economic dynamics of decarbonization in South Africa

Cited by 13 publications

References 35 publications

Balancing Renewable Energy Capacity, Time of Use Tariffs and Energy Storage in Energy Systems

Balancing Renewable Energy Capacity, Time of Use Tariffs and Energy Storage in Energy Systems

An Unsettled “Stranded Asset Debt”? Proposing a Supply‐Side Counterpart to the “Climate Debt” in a Bid to Guide a Just Transition from Fossil Fuels in South Africa and Beyond

Barriers to sustainability at Pakistan public universities and the way forward

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