7 February 2008

THE University of Johannesburg (UJ) has launched the EnerKey Sustainable Mega-Cities Project, a collaborative initiative between the university, the cities of Ekurhuleni, Tshwane and Johannesburg, the University of Stuttgart and the Metropolitan Council of Stuttgart in Germany.

The main objective of the project was to develop adequate tools and to initiate a self-sustaining process for the transformation of the urban areas of Gauteng, by developing and demonstrating measures for the solution of crucial energy problems of these areas.

Sonia Cronje, a spokesperson for UJ, said a German delegation of researchers, politicians and academics, led by Dr Annette Schavan, the German Minister of Education and Research will be visiting the university next week to attend a special briefing on the EnerKey research project.

EnerKey is currently in the final shortlist phase for consideration of support from the Department of Minerals and Energy.

"Taking the countrywide energy crisis into consideration, this event is a positive and profound development in establishing a more energy-efficient nation," Cronje said.

"Greater access to energy is an essential condition for the economic and social evolution of developing countries."

Many industrialised countries have committed themselves to making an initial reduction in their emissions, said Professor Harold Annegarn of the UJ's Department of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies.

He pointed out that innovative solutions must be explored and should involve both the implementation of current and emerging technologies as well as the modification of individual human behaviour and ways of life.

The project objectives include:

• Establishing a research network of South African and German institutions in sustainability research;
• Developing and implementing energy projects as exemplary case studies to improve sustainability in large urban areas;
• Demonstrating an integrated approach including technical, economic, ecological and socio-economic aspects;
• Showing the feasibility and practical use of model tools and planning instruments; and
• Developing new approaches, methods and projects for a longer fruitful collaboration.

Cronje said South Africa and Germany had common concerns about urbanization; landscape settlement distribution; energy provision and distribution; and on the environmental impact of these processes.

Source: Ekurhuleni.com