Ahead of the continent’s premier energy event, African Energy Week spoke with André Theys, Executive Manager: Operations, the V&A Waterfront, about the current and future renewable energy projects at the precinct.
As the African Energy Week (AEW) 2021 host partner, and one of South Africa’s top tourism destinations, the V&A Waterfront has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the country’s green economy. Ahead of the highly anticipated event next week, AEW 2021 spoke to André Theys, Executive Manager: Operations, the V&A Waterfront, about the precinct’s current renewable energy projects, overall sustainability approach, and future plans regarding renewable energy expansion.
Please provide a synopsis of the current renewable energy projects undertaken by the V&A Waterfront. How do these developments tie into the precinct’s overall sustainability approach?
The V&A Waterfront has 18 discrete solar photovoltaic (PV) installations totalling 1.9 MWp. These plants generate an annual average of around 2.2 million kWhrs offsetting some 2,325 equivalent tons of CO2. We also have another PV installation planned for the Victoria Wharf shopping centre once the roof has been refurbished and this will be the largest single PV installation at 817 kWp taking our total installed capacity to 2.7 MWp.
How can the V&A Waterfront’s green energy progress serve as a trend for other African business and tourism destinations?
The V&A Waterfront endeavours annually to decrease its carbon footprint by setting targets for energy intensity, water consumption intensity and waste diversion. At the same time, all new developments will seek a minimum 4-star Green Building Council of South Africa rating while targeting a 6-star rating.
The Green Star Awards include Number 1 Silo, 6 Star, Design and As Built; Number 5 Silo, 6 Star, Design and As Built; Watershed, 6 Star EBP; Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, 5 Star, EBP; Waterway House, 5 Star, Design Office and As Built; Number 6 Silo (Radisson Red), 5 Star, Design and As Built; Number 5 Silo (PWC), 5 Star, As Built Interiors; Merchant House, 4 Star, EBP; Number 2 Silo, 4 Star, Design Multi Unit Residential; West Quay, 4 Star, EBP; and Granger Bay, 4 Star, EBP.
The flagship green energy project is the use of sea water in the district cooling plant servicing the Silo District. The sea water district heating and cooling plant (DHCP) has a total cooling capacity of 5694 kWR, heating capacity of 2817 kWR and pre-cooling capacity of 3298 kWR, and serves 7 tenancies or buildings within the Silo Precinct. The use of the embedded energy in the sea water means lower condensing temperatures resulting in higher chiller efficiencies and negates the use of cooling towers resulting in large water savings, estimated in 2019 to be 15.3 million litres per annum. The heating is generated as a by-product of the cooling process, essentially free heating, and the use of the embedded energy in the sea water means that 60% of the cooling load is produced by the sea water, meaning that chillers are only required 30% of the time – considerably less than a conventional cooling system. The DHCP reduces HVAC and electrical utilities by 52% over a conventional plant.
Please provide insight into how the V&A Waterfront’s newest development, the Ridge, saves energy? How will this development serve as a model for future energy-efficient buildings across the precinct?
The Ridge has a number of features that make up its green star rating, most notably, its largely passive cooling system, or thermally activated building slabs or TABS used in conjunction with auto sensing windows that open when external temperatures are favourable relying on outside air as opposed to mechanical cooling. A further feature is its advanced façade design which will become a model for future developments.
What future plans does the V&A Waterfront have regarding renewable energy expansion? Do you foresee a major shift in utilization to clean energy solutions?
Besides the 3.3 megalitre desalination plant planned in the precinct to take the V&A off the grid – paused due to Covid impact on our budget – we are currently busy with a black water recycling plant in the precinct, which will utilise around 10% of our sewerage and recycle this to an irrigation standard to be used for the flushing of toilets and urinals in the Victoria Wharf shopping centre. We are also in the feasibility stages of evaluating an energy-to-waste plant to increase our landfill diversion rate from the current 48%. Should this be successful, the waste-to-energy plant will generate an off grid 1.76 million kWhrs per annum.
AEW 2021, in partnership with South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy DMRE, is the AEC’s annual conference, exhibition and networking event. AEW 2021 unites African energy stakeholders with investors and international partners to drive industry growth and development and promote Africa as the destination for energy investments.
For more information about Africa’s premier energy event, please visit www.aew2021.com or www.energychamber.org and/or reach out directly to Amina Williams at amina.williams@energychamber.org
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