Schools’ annual bills can be reduced by up to 39% if fluorescent lights are replaced with LEDs 28 January 2021 - 20:20 By Jason Avron Samuels, Leslie van Rooi, MJ (Thinus) Booysen and Sara Grobbelaar
Despite financial constraints, high costs and the best efforts of principals, electricity usage in SA’s schools remains largely unchecked, as they focus on educational outcomes. The country’s 23,471 public schools use an estimated 3.5TWh of energy a year. This is about a quarter of Koeberg nuclear power station’s production and it costs about R5bn.
In a recent study, The Conversation analysed the energy usage of 13 schools in Stellenbosch, in the Western Cape. The sample included poor and affluent schools. We then compared it with what schools use in other countries. This comparison makes it possible to estimate energy efficiency and see where money can be saved.
Sara Grobbelaar is an Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Stellenbosch University. She s also a research associate at the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST), Stellenbosch University.
Sara is a seasoned consultant and through experience gained at Monitor Group, Frost & Sullivan and independently, Sara has successfully completed in excess of 35 consulting engagements in the government, higher education, not-for-profit and private sectors (ICT, Energy and Power supply, Chemicals, Materials and Food, Pharmaceutical, Industrial, Mining, Tourism, Private Equity, Aviation and Automotive).
She holds an MPhil in Technology Policy (with distinction) from the University of Cambridge. During her time in the UK, she was supported by the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust and the Cambridge Trusts. Sara also holds a B.Eng (electronic) (with distinction) (UP), M.Eng (computer)(with distinction) (UP), PhD in (Engineering) (UP) and a Post Graduat
Light in the darkness: how South African schools should cut their electricity costs
By Jason Avron Samuels & Leslie van Rooi & MJ (Thinus) Booysen & Sara Grobbelaar - The Conversation LISTEN
JAN 26, 2021
Using LED lights in schools can drastically reduce the rate of electricity usage and costs. - Source: Shutterstock
Despite financial constraints, high costs and the best efforts of principals, electricity usage in South Africa s schools remains largely unchecked, as schools focus on educational outcomes. The country s 23,471 public schools use an estimated 3.5 TWh of energy a year . This is about a quarter of Koeberg nuclear power station s production and it costs about R5 billion ($330 million).