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SOUTH AFRICA’S FIRST DEDICATED NATURAL GAS TRUCK HITS GAUTENG ROADS

South African motorists are receiving a welcomed reprieve in August, as The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has published the official fuel adjustments for the month. Compared to July’s prices, petrol will be decreasing 132 cents per litre while diesel decreases 88 cents per litre. Still, the burden of massive fuel hikes and their unpredictability weighs down individuals and businesses. This is especially true for those in industries who travel to deliver good and services.

A key player operating in transportation for Gauteng-based goods, BridCam Distributors, believes that forward thinking is the only way to unburden ourselves from fossil fuels. In collaboration with CNG Holdings and Scania, BridCam solely funded and brought the very first dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) truck on to South African roads. “We’ve achieved a 3-year goal,” says Willie Dry, BridCam CEO. “It meets Euro VI standards, which is one of the stages of the European emission standards which aims to increase the use of environmentallyfriendly vehicles.”

The Scania 6x4 Euro VI truck operates solely on compressed natural gas, an alternative fuel which is readily available in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal. As a developing country, we follow the tread of first world countries. Battery-powered electric vehicles are foreseen to take off once the electric-based load improves, then meaningful sales are expected to develop in the late 2020s. “Natural gas is here and now,” states Sustainability Manager, Mark Templeton, at Scania South Africa. “This truck proves that it is a viable, bankable solution. We’ve got the infrastructure; available resources and it is cost-efficient compared to diesel.” He affirmed that CNG is the broadest alternative fuel offering right now to help SA drive a greener solution using Euro VI engine technology. It makes economic and green sense, as it is the cheaper and cleaner choice over fossil fuels.

BridCam is using the truck to support their client, CNG Holdings, which distributes natural gas via their virtual gas network in the Gauteng region. “The venture is convenient and logical since the truck can be filled at and distribute CNG from our Langlaagte filling station,” explains Josua Le Roux, the CEO of CNG Holdings. “It not only reduces our own carbon footprint but trialling it in our supply network has proven CNG’s viability for commercial operations.” Dry added that BridCam is excited to be offering green, low-cost and stable transportation solutions to their clients in Gauteng, including the mining and industrial sectors. As the first of its kind, this truck is beneficial for overheads and the environment. It stands as an achievement in breaking away from carbon-based fuels in our automotive and transportation industries. BridCam aims to continue pioneering workable, eco-friendly technology in South Africa.

A FOCUS ON INFINITY

Johannesburg, SA (November 8, 2022) – Perhaps the most dramatic showcase for the Infinity range of composite decking can be found at the imposing Aberfoyle Lodge in the eastern highland tea plantations of Zimbabwe. The imposing Arches@Aberfoyle was designed by a leading Zimbabwean architect, and incorporates a suspension bridge design that also includes a viewing deck, art gallery and wedding venue.

Completed in November 2021, the ambitious span of the structure made Infinity a natural for the project. Infinity, as a composite bamboo and polymer decking material, has achieved global renown in the construction industry for its strength, light weight and durability.

“With the expansion of our company and product portfolio, we have been fortunate to have been involved with some dramatic buildings and structures all around the world,” said Marc Minne, Co-founder and CEO of Eva-Last.

“The sheer ambition of the Arches@Aberfoyle structure and its idyllic natural setting perfectly echoes Eva-Last’s values of sustainability, innovation, accountability and customer excellence.”

Of course, with the ever-expanding global reach of Eva-Last, there are countless projects and structures that could inspire similar associations. There are simply too many projects to mention where

Infinity has been the product of choice for corporates, architects and property owners alike. After making its TV debut on a well-known Australian television show known as The Block, Infinity sales in Caribbean Coral sky rocketed, and for good reason.

The Infinity technology is Eva-Last’s most durable composite option in its ever-increasing range of bamboo-polymer composite construction products. The streaked colour patterns in the capping give a pleasing appearance that closely resembles the look of timber, and the various colour options available in Infinity mimics different wood grains to allow for diverse timber effects.

In 2017 Eva-Last saw the need for a new, lighter and more costeffective deck board, and through innovative design, developed the I-Series board. This new board profile has proved to be immensely popular from the outset for a number of reasons.

“We based the I-Series board on an I-Beam profile design as it makes it incredibly strong. The profile design means that less material is used in its construction, so it is both lighter and more cost-effective to produce,” says Marc Minne.

“The triangulated design of the I-beam’s underside pedestals means that it is extremely strong, from a load-bearing perspective, and is able to maintain span capability despite containing less materials.”

Infinity is available in various board profiles to meet the demands of various global markets or differing installation requirements. The most widely used profile is the double-sided grooved board option which is secured using Eva-Last’s HULK hidden deck fasteners for the neatest of finishes.

The Infinity range also offers a square-edged board, ideal for deck and stair edges, and can also be used as an attractive “deck-on-thewall” cladding application. Thanks to Eva-Last’s all-inclusive approach to installation, Hulk Fasteners composite screws are produced in matching colours to complement the Infinity range and create a seamless look.

For trims, or screening as alternative applications, the Infinity double-sided fascia board is available as a lighter weight material. With a non-load bearing design, the Infinity fascia board matches Infinity decking profiles in grain and colour and is ideal for finishing deck edges.

Infinity composite technology carries a 25-year warranty across all of its products.

Eva-Last, which has its headquarters in South Africa, has been an amazing success story since its formation back in 2006. The company has a genuine commitment to environmental sustainability and it has seen a growing acceptance of its non-timber-based construction products amidst ever-growing concern over deforestation.

Infinity composite is produced from bamboo which is a readily available resource, with a four-year-regrowth cycle, while typical timber forests have a 20-year renewal cycle; together with the polymer component made from recycled plastics.

For more information visit www.eva-last.com

CLIMATE INVESTMENT FUNDS UNLOCKS $1 BILLION FOR CLEAN POWER MOVE IN SOUTH AFRICA AND INDONESIA

The governing board of the Climate Investment Funds, one of the world’s largest multilateral funds for climate action in developing countries, endorsed new investment plans set to allocate $1 billion for a just transition from coal to clean power in South Africa and Indonesia. The decision intends to equip each country with access to $500 million in concessional, risk-bearing capital from CIF’s Accelerating Coal Transition (CIF ACT) investment program to build momentum toward ambitious climate, energy, and development goals. The availability of finance will also directly support and catalyze funding for country platforms such as South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnership and similar initiatives in Indonesia.

The governing board of the Climate Investment Funds, one of the world’s largest multilateral funds for climate action in developing countries, endorsed new investment plans set to allocate $1 billion for a just transition from coal to clean power in South Africa and Indonesia.

The decision intends to equip each country with access to $500 million in concessional, risk-bearing capital from CIF’s Accelerating Coal Transition (CIF ACT) investment program to build momentum toward ambitious climate, energy, and development goals. The availability of finance will also directly support and catalyze funding for country platforms such as South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnership and similar initiatives in Indonesia.

The new investment plan paves the way for South Africa to retire several coal-fired power plants, replacing their generation capacity with clean power and energy storage systems. Workers and local communities affected by the transition, including women and other vulnerable groups, will benefit from resources to access new employment opportunities and influence decision-making.

The CIF ACT-supported decommissioning could prevent approximately 71 million tons of CO2 in potential GHG emissions, equivalent to taking nearly 14 million gasoline-powered cars off the road for a year.

CIF finance will also enhance governance and build capacity of provinces, municipalities, and local communities to manage just coal transitions. In parallel, the new capital will promote investment in community infrastructure, new revenue streams for small, medium-sized, and micro climate-smart businesses, and job creation through the scaling-up of energy efficiency and distributed generation programs.

87% of South Africa’s installed generation capacity comes from aging coal-fired power plants, responsible for nearly half of the country’s carbon dioxide emissions and frequent outages. Last year, South Africa announced an ambitious climate plan which emphasized the decarbonization of its electricity sector.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia—the world’s largest coal exporter—CIF will partner with the state utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) and the private sector to accelerate retirement of up to 2 gigawatts of coal-fired power by 5-10 years. The investment plan will also pilot solutions for repurposing decommissioned coal assets using solar farms, battery storage, and other climate-smart alternatives. Indonesia’s investment plan, which CIF’s Trust Fund Committee endorsed in principle, will support just transition activities up and down the value chain, supporting capacity building, retraining, upskilling, and other economic regeneration programs for people and communities affected by the transition.

Coal is an abundant natural resource in Indonesia, underpinning most domestic electricity generation and many livelihoods. Even more challenging, Indonesia’s coal fleet is relatively young with potentially decades of economic life and harmful emissions ahead of them. Indonesia recently committed to reaching net-zero by 2060. Both investment plans will feature a grant-making mechanism that promotes women’s climate leadership and supports their involvement in designing and implementing coalto-clean transition strategies.

CIF ACT is the first multilateral effort to advance an equitable, inclusive shift away from coal power in developing countries. Launched at COP26 in Glasgow last year, CIF ACT addresses three critical dimensions of the coal transition: governance, people and communities, and infrastructure. South Africa, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines, representing over 15% of coal-related emissions globally, were selected as the first beneficiaries of the initiative.

In 2021, G7 leaders committed up to $2 billion to capitalize CIF ACT and related CIF energy transition initiatives. In fulfillment of this pledge, the United States recently announced a contribution of nearly $1 billion to CIF ACT.

CIF ACT investments are expected to mobilize billions of dollars in additional finance from partners including multilateral development banks (MDBs) and the private sector, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and ensure a people-centric transition. They build on CIF’s nearly 15-year track record de-risking, piloting, and scaling transformational climate solutions in more than 70 developing countries.

MDBs have a critical role in helping countries meet their climate ambitions. As institutions they have relevant expertise, experience, networks, and safeguards to help developing countries spark lasting structural change. The World Bank is the lead implementing partner for CIF ACT in South Africa, working in partnership with the African Development Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC). The CIF ACT contribution is part of a $2.6 billion package being mobilized from public and private sources by the South Africa government.

MICROSOFT SA AND NEDBANK COLLABORATE TO DRIVE PAN-AFRICAN SUSTAINABILITY

'We are mindful of how our solutions can shape the future.'

Microsoft South Africa and Nedbank have joined forces to build a financial-sector-led sustainability capability for Africa.

Focus

The partnership is expected to focus on driving multiple programmes to amplify the United Nations’ (UN) 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with technological advancements and to participate in the growing green market ecosystem more easily and responsibly.

With market-leading advancements from Microsoft like the Cloudfor-Sustainability, Nedbank will leverage the greater digital capability that Microsoft has created to expedite environmental, social and governance (ESG) impact across the continent, in geographies where it has operations and clients.

UN SDG’s

With more than 13 different channels of execution, this is one of the most comprehensive approaches for targeting the UN SDGs, enabling organisations of all types, sizes and sectors to meet the new sustainability imperatives.

Fred Swanepoel, Nedbank Group Chief Information Officer, said the bank is leveraging ongoing investments in technology to revolutionise traditional sustainability management. “We are mindful of how our solutions can shape the future and are guided by our purpose of using our financial expertise to do good.”

The African continent is disproportionately affected by threats caused by climate change. Droughts, floods and increasing water scarcity will have negative effects on food systems and people’s livelihoods.

Samer Abu-Ltaif, Corporate Vice President and President of MicrosoftMiddle East and Africa, said “The company recognises its responsibility and opportunity to ensure the technology we create benefits everyone on the planet, as well as the planet itself.

“Our partnership with Nedbank comes in line with our commitment to accelerate progress toward a more sustainable future by helping our customers and partners build sustainable solutions and drive real impact across their industries.”

Global initiatives

Both entities have been active participants in multiple global initiatives that aim to create and contribute to a more sustainable future for the planet including Nedbank’s commitment to the United Nations Global Compact and the 10 principles that underpin it among others.

ABB TO SHOWCASE ITS LATEST CHARGING SOLUTIONS AT SMARTER MOBILITY AFRICA SUMMIT

Transportation accounts for nearly 24% of all global CO2 emissions. More than 75% of that is road transportation, including cars, trucks, and motorbikes. Passenger cars alone account for 60% of global road transportation emissions. Emobility, paired with renewable energy generation, can significantly lower global CO2 emissions, helping us achieve emission targets, reduce pollution and noise, and improve our health and comfort.

ABB leads the future to zero emission mobility with smart, reliable and emission-free electric vehicle charging solutions. The technology leader will display its world-leading AC and DC charging portfolio at the Smarter Mobility Africa Summit from 5 to 7 October at the CISR in Tshwane, a highlight of Transport Month. The Terra 54 50kW unit will also be under the spotlight, which has served ABB well for the last few years with its modular design.

The Terra 124 will be showcased, the most versatile, powerful and compact all-in-one high power charging station that allows charging network operators to quickly rollout their charging station rollout. Designed around the needs of today’s EV requirements, it is fully field upgradable to 180kW to meet the needs of tomorrow faster. Compact and scalable, it represents high-power charging innovation from ABB that brings more charging power to urban locations. Visitors will get to experience ABB’s AC and DC wall boxes on its stand. The Terra 360 charging solution will be showcased virtually at the summit via a video presentation to give visitors insight into the latest technology from ABB. “Our latest Terra 360 is the world’s most powerful and compact all-in-one high power charging solution. Not only does it allow charging network operators to deploy fast charging stations, it accelerates the transition to future e-mobility,” says Product Marketing Director Ettienne Delport.

Looking to the future, the Terra 360 can charge up to 360kW and can charge four vehicles simultaneously at 90kW each. It features a brand-new design making the charger more ergonomic and modern. With its eye-catching design and intuitive user interface, the Terra 360 offers the end user an exceptional charging experience. What’s more, it supports the major charging standards, namely CCS-1, CCS-2, CHAdeMO, and AC Type-2.

A compact footprint enables quick, efficient installation of both the Terra 124 and 360 in any parking configuration. It enables easy frontal parking and charging, making it ideal for cities and shopping malls. It is a perfect fit for curb-side charging. Terra 124 and 360 from ABB can serve two parallel drive-through lanes simultaneously, with each side equipped with different charging standard outlets.

As battery technology advances, major truck and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers are already releasing their line-ups of low-noise, low-carbon producing electric vehicles. However, these high-power vehicles need highpower infrastructure, with a strong focus on safety. ABB offers future-proof integrated charger and grid connection solutions that reduce installation costs while meeting the highest safety standards.

ABB is laying the foundations for a future of smarter, reliable, and emission-free mobility, accessible by everyone, everywhere. ABB offers a total EV charging solution from compact, high-quality AC wallboxes and reliable DC fast charging stations with robust connectivity to innovative on-demand electric bus charging systems. We deploy infrastructure that meet the needs of the next generation of smarter mobility.

ABB Ability™ connected chargers enable fast global service and pro-active maintenance. ABB has years of experience in creating, installing, and maintaining charging infrastructure, including several nationwide charger networks.

ABB leads the future to zero emission mobility with smart, reliable and emission-free electric vehicle charging solutions.

For more information, visit https://e-mobility.abb.com/