SMME development through productive use of domestic energy resources

Productive energy services are often overlooked in domestic energy access programs; yet people cannot raise their welfare except by engaging in economic activities. Household energy demand(s) should be viewed in two components, that is, residential and productive energy services. Although the South African government prioritised electricity distribution after independence, this programme was framed in terms of domestic residential use. Thus, the supplied electrical power was limited to low amperage current, adequate only for household lighting and electronics. Intrinsically, the National Electrification Programme and the Free Basic Electricity Programme [1]) that have substantially increased electricity access in the last decade, did little to spur Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises [SMME] growth in urban penumbras and rural localities. Yet, perambulates in these areas indicate that people are engaged in enterprises that yearn for cleaner, reliable, and cost-effective energy inputs. Commercial cooking is a prevalent business in the low-income settlements, which is powered mostly by basic fuels and low efficiency combustion technologies. Although SMMEs contribute about a quarter of gross capital formation, they have a major potential in employment creation, especially within the current context of negative jobs growth in government and large enterprise sectors. This paper argues that SMME growth can be consolidated and accelerated through provision of safe, affordable and efficient energy technologies. Evidence for this claim is based on a quantitative survey that was carried out among street vendors in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg. Discussions were held with the business owners on alternative fuels and modalities for transitioning the informal business sector to use of clean energy resources. The entrepreneurs cite energy poverty and poor premises as the biggest constraints to their businesses

Assessment of free basic electricity and use of pre-paid meters in South Africa

In 2000, the African National Congress (ANC) through its election manifesto, made promises to provide free basic services to all poor South Africans. This was later quantified as 6 000 litres of water and 50 kWh of free basic electricity (FBE) monthly per household. Regarding the issuance of FBE, qualifying residents were registered and had to agree to a pre-paid meter being installed. It is argued that the quantity of free basic electricity provided to poor households is inadequate to meet basic needs and improvement of the quality of life. Conversely, there has been resistance to installation and use of pre-paid electricity meters, especially in townships around Johannesburg. Although prepayment systems have been proposed as innovative solutions to the problem of non-payment and affordability in utility services, the use of such mechanisms is still controversial. This paper reviews and assesses free basic electricity and the use of pre-paid electricity meters in South Africa. It also contributes to the on-going debate on FBE and prepayment systems. Recommendations are given on creating viable and stable institutions to curb uncertainties in the provision of electricity services, and methods for identifying changes in aggregate welfare resulting in the adoption of pre-paid electricity meters. Information from this article can be useful for policy-making purposes in other developing countries facing resistance in marketing, dissemination and installation of pre-paid meters

ASSESSMENT OF FREE BASIC ELECTRICITY AND USE OF PRE-PAID METERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

ABSTRACT In 2000, the African National Congress (ANC) through its election manifesto, made promises to provide free basic services to all poor South Africans. This was later quantified as 6 000 litres of water and 50 kWh of free basic electricity (FBE) monthly per household. Regarding the issuance of FBE, qualifying residents were registered and had to agree to a pre-paid meter being installed. It is argued that the quantity of free basic electricity provided to poor households is inadequate to meet basic needs and improvement of the quality of life. Conversely, there has been resistance to installation and use of pre-paid electricity meters, especially in townships around Johannesburg. Although prepayment systems have been proposed as innovative solutions to the problem of non-payment and affordability in utility services, the use of such mechanisms is still controversial. This paper reviews and assesses free basic electricity and the use of prepaid electricity meters in South Africa. It also contributes to the on-going debate on FBE and prepayment systems. Recommendations are given on creating viable and stable institutions to curb uncertainties in the provision of electricity services, and methods for identifying changes in aggregate welfare resulting in the adoption of pre-paid electricity meters. Information from this article can be useful for policymaking purposes in other developing countries facing resistance in marketing, dissemination and installation of pre-paid meters

Effect of the Graphite Dispersed Titanium Dioxide Solid Solar Cell Composition on the Generated Potential (VOC)

Energy is globally recognized as one of the most fundamental inputs for social and economic development. Most energy sources are serious environmental pollutants. To overcome this challenge, presence of abundant sunshine was exploited through use of photovoltaic cells. However most photovoltaic cells are silicon based hence expensive. This study reports on the fabrication of a cost effective and environment friendly solar cell by use of TiO2 and I2/ KI (dispersed in graphite-Cx) layers in their solid form to provide an alternative source of clean energy. TiO2 has a high photo generation ability when excited with radiation and is chemically inert over a wide pH range. The photo generated electrons were replenished by iodine complex and graphite facilitated their migration. The mixtures at varying ratios were made into pellets and their electrical properties investigated. The optimum electricity generation was observed at the ratio of TiO2/ Cx: I2: KI as 0.4: 0.3: 0.17: 0.01 g respectively. The optimal thicknesses of the photo active layer and that of the electronegative layer were found to be 2.00 and 1.00 mm respectively. An open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.979V and a short circuit current density (Jsc/cm2) of 12.037μA was observed, giving efficiency (η) of 0.006% and a Fill factor (FF) of 0.64. The cell did not suffer from corrosion effects as it was used in a dry solid state making it suitable for photovoltaic application

Effect of Varying Titanium Dioxide and Iodine on Open Circuit Voltage and Short Current Density

The study sought to establish a photo cell which can reduce use of fossil fuels and in turn reduce on air pollution and climate change. The experimental design involved preparation of various ratios of titanium dioxide: graphite /iodine/KI mixtures in each respective layer. Optimization was carried out by varying the mass of the constituents of each layer while maintaining the others constant to obtain the highest current-voltage outputs. The study investigated the effect of the thickness of TiO2 (the photo active layer) and the electronegative material layers on current-voltage output of the fabricated solar cell. The optimum electricity generation was observed at the ratio of TiO2/ Cx: I2: KI as 0.4: 0.3: 0.17: 0.01 g respectively. Results show a very sharp increase in potential from a molar ratio of 0.1g of TiO2 to 0.4 g producing a voltage of 0.73 V after which there was a steep decrease from 0.73 V to 0.22 V with a short change of 0.1 g. Therefore, the molar ratio of (0.4: 0.2: 0.12) generated a reasonably high voltage of 0.73 V indicating that these values were almost the optimized ratios. There was a linear increase in potential up to a molar ratio of 0.5 g after which a uniform plateau was observed. Finally, the Variation of graphite-CX molar ratio was investigated at constant iodine (0.1 g) and TiO2 (0.5 g). The results showed a gradual increase in voltage from a molar ratio of 0.1g to 0.2 g generating a potential of 0.2 V, after which there was a gradual decrease from 0.2 V to 0.09 V with a change 0.2 g of graphite. In conclusion, the results obtained on optimization of a blank cell, the open circuit voltage (VOC) and short circuit current density (JSC) of 0.083 V and 0.33μA were respectively obtained. These values were low confirming that a conducting medium was necessary for the migration of the generated electrons. The research generally recommends that there is need to employ improved technology to reduce presence of air packets which creates air gaps