Volkswagen of South Africa has reduced its daily energy consumption by 10%, an annual saving of R1,2 million, since implementing an energy management programme in 2003. The company aims to cut back its energy usage by up to 15% per day by 2010.

VW of SA has invested approximately R4 million in its energy management drive to date.

The company’s 2MW savings in daily consumption is the result of a number of initiatives that have been implemented since the programme’s inception.

One of the key ventures is a power factor correction that was installed in an incoming substation at the Uitenhage factory. This reduces power losses, thus optimising the company’s energy utilisation. Other projects include the upgrading of old lights to newer, more efficient fittings and the installation of timers on geysers and air-conditioners.

An important element to the energy drive is the creation of awareness amongst employees. Themes change annually, but the central message of saving energy – in the workplace, at home and whilst driving - remains constant. We have committed ourselves to continually sensitising our employees through various energy efficiency campaigns.

Nick Champan, VW of SA Plant Engineering Manager

RE/MAX Masters identifies 6 key areas where all South Africans can improve in order to save energy at this crucial time.

1. Reduce the temperature of your geyser’s thermostat to 55’C and then insulate the geyser. This small adjustment will save you the most energy.
2. Fill your kettle only with as much water as needed.
3. Switch off all non-essential lights and appliances when leaving the room.
4. Switch off all appliances on stand-by when leaving the house or going to bed.
5. Use energy saving light bulbs both indoors and out.
6. Finally, talk! Talk to your family, talk to your friends and neighbours about what you are doing to save energy. Encourage others to join in by following these simple steps.

Mark Langman, Marketing, RE/MAX Masters

Virgin Active has been using an incredible Heat Recovery System in all the Clubs since 2001. Basically this system means we don't need to use extra energy to heat the pool and shower water.
How it works...
A machine named a Chiller drives the heat recovery system. The Chiller removes heat from liquid via a process called a vapor-compression cycle. The chilled (cold) water created from the vapor-compression cycle is then used to cool and dehumidify our clubs through various different pieces of equipment, that make up the air conditioning system. The bi-product created during the vapor compression cycle, heat, is then used to warm the water in our swimming pools as well as hot water storage tanks, which supply the clubs shower system.

What makes this system unique is that the bi-product of the vapor-compression cycle, heat, is recycled to be used again. Therefore, the energy is not lost. Had Virgin Active chosen not to use this recycled heat and preferred to heat the water for our showers and pools electrically, with an electric geyser for example, an extra 960 000kwh of energy would have been needed, every year, for each one of our 84 clubs.

Jeff Clements, Brand Manager, Virgin Active South Africa

In the past five years, the company’s efforts to reduce energy consumption at its offices - housing a 26 000-strong workforce - have spanned addressing issues of after-hour lighting, refrigeration, dishwashers, air-conditioning etc. At the Fairland building site in particular, recent concerns raised by members of the public were addressed by explaining the need for after-hour electricity use in light of safety and security, but efforts are still being made to reduce energy consumption. “In the interest of conserving energy, standby power from on-site generators is used to power lighting at the building. We have instructed the contractor to make more use of these generators, therefore greatly reducing the reliance on the Eskom/ City Power supply for safety, security and night time work.”

Madeline Ronquest, FirstRand Group Environment Manager

We do quite a bit of "community" work in the sense of doing free training at electrical wholesalers, Lighting Warehouse, Builders Warehouse, etc. on general electrical practice and especially lighting and energy savings questions, to empower the sales staff to best assist the customer from a pure technical point.

Dr Marthinus Smit, Shuttle

As one of the bigger shopping centres in Gauteng, Clearwater Mall is committed to save energy to help lessen the use of electricity especially during the peak power periods. We have adjusted the thermostats on all geysers down from 70 to 50 degrees. Geysers of tenants who don’t need its use for running their business, will be shut off completely. Tenants will be educated as to save energy within their shops by doing little things such as; switch off plugs at the wall which are not begin used, boil kettle once, use flasks for boiled water don’t boil the kettle every time, don’t switch on all the lights, etc. Signage and light boxes will also be isolated after shopping hours thus reducing energy. Clearwater Mall is open for trading during load shedding. Clearwater Mall challenges all other malls to join in the effort to save energy!

Elsabe Griesel, General Manager of Clearwater Mall

Nedbank is assessing the lighting throughout our buildings ensuring appropriate energy efficient equipment, control systems & sensors are installed, to minimise excessive power consumption due to usage of lights. We’re also assessing the viability of solar-powered geysers at Olwazini and selected office buildings.

We’ll also monitor the anticipated reduction in heatload due to the new technology procurement policy to only procure flat screen monitors in future. We’ll also be reviewing business cases iro the installation of variable speed drives on air-conditioning equipment to lower energy consumption.

Justin Smith, Head: Governance and Sustainability, Nedbank Enterprise Governance and Compliance

Over the last three years the Shoprite Group has been rolling out an Energy Management Programme which resulted in savings on electricity expenses in excess of R21 million rand. The overall power saved as a result of the programme is equivalent to powering 10 000 average households for 12 months.

Whitey Basson, Chief Executive Officer of the Shoprite Group of Companies

The Shoprite Group participated in the Eskom DSM lighting project which saw all Group stores’ fluorescent lighting being replaced with power saving electronic control gear. Savings achieved during the past year represent the power used by 700 average households in 12 months. The use of energy efficient lighting in the Group’s distribution centres is now a priority.

Whitey Basson, Chief Executive Officer of the Shoprite Group of Companies

Game has embarked on a CFL swap programme with Eskom where our stores are going to be used as collection and distribution points for their campaign. We are also bringing in more energy saving products into our stores and educational material so customers understand benefits of things like geyser timer, geyser blankets, CFL bulbs etc

Tamryn Taylor, Game Brand Manager

Our drive to save electricity is through utilizing only half of our office lights during the day and all the lights are being switched off at night. We are also cutting down on the use of air conditioners as we understand that this is a huge energy saving.

Lizette Anderson, General Manager, RadMark Cape Town