Stellenbosch University (SU) will continue its journey to a state of net zero carbon with a R74 million solar photovoltaic (PV) installation project, phase 1, in early 2022.
This is according to Ryno Lochner of property services at SU.
“We are now in the design and tender phase. Only once the tender is awarded, can we commence with the installation,” Lochner told MatieMedia in October.
SU plans to reach a state of Net Zero Carbon by 2030, with all newly designed buildings boasting Net Zero Carbon by 2025, according to Nadeem Gafieldien, director of property services at SU’s facilities management division.
Solar PV
As part of the project, solar PV panels are to be placed on top of various SU buildings, including ones on Tygerberg, Bellville, and Worcester campuses’, according to Lochner. Some of these installations reach system sizes of over 2400 kW and altogether reach a total system size of 4 667.1 kWp (the kilowatt ‘peak’ power), displayed by Lochners provided graph. This project is a significant step up from the 393 kW PV installation on top of the Neelsie building, implemented in April 2021.
The installation locations for Stellenbosch University’s R74 million Solar photovoltaic (PV) project, phase 1, is set to begin in early 2022.
The project is expected to pay back the R74 million in just 7.4 years, according to Lochner. Phase 1 will not only cut costs on electricity, but will also reduce SU’s carbon footprint in CO² (Carbon dioxide) emissions, said Lochner.
“This system will have a dual benefit by not only reducing the direct cost of procuring electricity, but also the indirect cost of Carbon Tax from procuring electricity from fossil fuel generation (Eskom). SU will reduce its carbon footprint by an estimated 166 900 tons of CO2 emissions over the designed 25-year lifespan of this PV system,” said Lochner.
Before the plans were approved for the phase 1 solar PV installations, the university used their student centre, the Neelsie, as a test site at the beginning of the year, according to Gafieldien. This 393 kW installation project cost the university R8 million and is already saving money, said Gafieldien.
“This R8 million project which was launched in April 2021 already generated sustainable energy to the value of R500 000,” said Gafieldien. “The PV system is estimated to produce 25% of the current electricity load of the Neelsie and exceeds the targets set in the renewable energy plan,” he continued.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning: HVAC
Another project that the university is implementing is the installation of various heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that also help reduce its carbon footprint, according to Petro Mostert, communications specialist within operations and finance at SU.
“Two residences, such as Eendrag and Helshoogte, use separate systems but now they have got on a heat pump that serves both,” said Mostert. “60% – 70% of energy comes from the HVAC/Air-conditioning,” she said.
“Through their consolidated plant provision strategy, SU reduced their 47 generators on all campuses to 15 generators and consolidated 2 800 air conditioning units to 10 HVAC precinct plants. (Air conditioners account for 60% – 70% of energy consumption in a building),” said Nadeem Gafieldien, SU’s director of property services at SU’s facilities management division.
Similarly, the HVAC system behind the CGW Schumann building, installed in 2016, also supplies air-conditioning to buildings close to it, according to Lochner.
“With the installation of our first HVAC Precinct plant behind the CGW Schumann building, we are now able to supply cool air to the following buildings; CGW Schumann, Mike de Vries, Inorganic Chemistry, Chemistry, Van der Sterr and Polimeer,” wrote Lochner in email correspondence with MatieMedia.
The Mike de Vries building, behind the CGW Schumann, was connected to the Schumann HVAC system in 2018 and has since saved roughly over R500 000 per year, according to Lochner.
“With the connection of the new precinct plant to Mike de Vries and the removal of the existing HVAC in the building, we were able to save approximately R500 000 per annum as a result of this intervention,” said Lochner.
“SU reduced their 47 generators on all campuses to 15 generators and consolidated 2 800 air conditioning units to 10 HVAC precinct plants. Air conditioners account for 60% – 70% of energy consumption in a building,” according to Gafieldien.
EPC Certificate
Another way in which SU has moved closer to its 2030 goal is by being awarded South Africa’s very first Electrical Performance Certificate (EPC), according to Gafieldien.
The Admin B building at Stellenbosch University (SU) is the first building in South Africa to receive an A rating Electrical Performance Certificate (EPC) for a building bigger than 2000m², according to Nadeem Gafieldien, director of property services at SU’s facilities management division. “This is the best rating possible for such an office building in this climatic zone, according to the SANS 10400 XA standards for EPC’s for buildings in South Africa,” he said.
“SU’s Admin B building was the first building in the country to be certified and received an A rating for electrical consumption of 48 kWh per m²,” said Gafieldien. “As a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, SU is committed to attaining the United Nations’ sustainable development goals,” he continued.
The university aims to have 15 of its buildings qualified with EPC’s by the end of the year and is looking to have 60 EPC accredited buildings by 2022, according to Dr Frank Duvenhage of Bluedust Engineering Solutions, an energy consumption consultant for the university.
“We will most likely complete more towards 15 buildings this year, as this is a new process for all involved and depends greatly on how easily information becomes available from the client [SU],” said Duvenhage.