RDJ Briefing - February 2023

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RDJ Consulting Services CC is an advisory consultancy to the Energy, Water and Transport Sectors with a focus on sustainable operations and renewable energy.

FROM THE EDITOR

ENERGY IMPACTS GENDER

DearReader

WelcomeoncemoretotheRDJBriefing

For February 2023, this edition carries the weight of being the precursor to the eagerly awaitedAfricaEnergyIndaba(AEI)Conference rightontheheelsofthejustconcludedMining Indaba The AEI will be taking place in Cape Town, South Africa to discuss, debate, and seek solutions to the continent's energy generationdilemmas

The edition also has the opportunity to encapsulate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This is thus a perfect blendatsuchanopportunetimewhenAfrica andtheworldarestrivingtoachieveuniversal accesstoelectrificationandgenderequality

Inthisedition,therefore,wetuneourfocusto discussing “Energy and Gender” with topics suchas:

Economics & Energy Efficiency - the AfricanContext

Hydroponicsandthefuture

Logistics and Transport – Impact on Women

LithiumBatteries

TimeofUse

Thesewillprovidereal-worldopportunitiesfor you to reflect on the matters dealt with Additionally, RDJ Publishing (Pty) Ltd is now fully certified by Namibia’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT),asanapprovedmediaenterprise,and isproudlyanofficialmediapartneroftheAEI.

Tofindoutmore,pleasecontinuereadingand join our conversations on Twitter and follow us on social media networks You can reach me directly for comments or reviews of our articles at editor@rdjpublishing.africa or at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa and feel free tosuggestchangesyouwouldliketosee.

WATCH THIS SPACE

(DavidA Jarrett) Editor Authors RDJInterns*

Did you know?

Renewable Energy Report)

Quick Facts

In2017,womenintopmanagementpositionsmadeuponly1percent,and6percentoftechnical employeesinthefossilenergysectorworldwide.(IRENA).

Providinguniversalaccesstoenergyby2030wouldrequireanadditionalinvestmentofUSD24billionper year(ontopoftheUSD31billioninvestedundercurrentandplannedpolicies),equivalenttolessthan2% ofglobalenergyinvestment(IEAreport,2020)

From1978-2016,onlyabout11%ofenergysectorfoundersarefemale (IEA)

Globally, women account for 22% of the labour force in the oil and gas sector and 32% in renewables. (IRENA, 2019

Courtesy: Getty Images Signature

E C O N O M Y A T L A R G E

Economics & Energy Efficiency - the African Context

World Bank metrics indicate that the African continent is mainly made up of low to medium income countries Add to which their population

continues to increase adding more pressure on resources and productivity Given this, there is no doubt that energy demand will also keep increasing especially in the face of slow growing generation and supplies

A logical response is that in order to meet such demand, countries need to find ways of increasing generation and supplying the needed energy at an affordable cost This is where energy efficiency becomes relevant and can be set to play a significant role Energy efficiency is the use of less energy to perform the same task or produce the same result Therefore, energy-efficient homes, equipment and buildings tend to use less energy to heat, cool, and run appliances and electronics, while energy-efficient manufacturing facilities use less energy to produce goods.

The African reality

Before jumping into energy efficiency, lets have a look at the current reality on energy supply in Africa. The Africa Development Bank (AfDB) in its preparation for its 10-year strategy (2013 – 2022), noted that over 640 million Africans had no access to modern energy This figure also is stark when brought alongside an electricity access rate for African countries at just over 40 percent, making it the lowest in the world When it comes to overall energy consumption per capita, sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa) stands at between 180 – 482 kWh per annum, compared to approximately 13 000 kWh in the United States and approximately 6 500 kWh in Europe This indicates how much work Africa needs to do to ensure that the continent is “lit up” and gain developed country consumptive patterns

AUTHOR: Chilombo (Olga) Priscila Economist@ RDJ Consulting

Anexampleofenergyefficientstovesbeinusedbylow-incomefamiliesinKenya Imagecredit:wwwpreoorg

Is it worth it?

Given that Africa currently struggles with meeting its energy needs, and about 60% of its population does not yet have access to electricity, is it fair and worth it to already start looking into energy efficiency and not just universal electrification? Well, the fact is that access to energy is crucial not only for the attainment of health and educational outcomes but also for reducing the cost of doing business and for unlocking economic potential and creating jobs Given that the continent is made up of many developing countries in need of economic growth and stability, energy efficiency could be one of the moving parts towards achieving needed economic growth through the benefits spanned from making Africa’s energy sector more efficient

As with nearly all economic problems, the economics of energy efficiency is at its heart a question of balancing of costs and benefits. Let us look at some of the possible costs and then, benefits of implementing energy efficiency in a developing economy such as in the African continent, and henceforth, assess its affordability for developing countries

What are the Economic Gains?

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that energy efficiency improvements could deliver over a third of the cumulative reductions of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions necessary to stabilize climate change (IEA 2018). International aid agencies have also emphasized the development-oriented benefits that energy efficiency improvements can deliver, including reduced pressure on household and national budgets and improved power system reliability

For an economy as whole, energy efficiency reduces the amount of energy needed to deliver services, such as mobility, lighting, heating, and cooling Therefore, lowering the cost of energy services frees up resources for households, businesses, and governments According to one case study on energy efficiency application in Tanzania, after power factor correction and an approximately USD 4 000 investment, savings in the order of approximately USD 2 500 per annum was achieved showing how energy efficiency can help free up cash.

Can Africa afford this?

Over the years, technological advancements have significantly reduced the energy inputs required to provide fundamental energy services such as cooking, lighting, space heating, and cooling This means that energy efficiency is beneficial to an economy because of its reduction in inputs.

Targeted energy efficiency investments have the potential to mitigate tensions between economic growth objectives and sustainable development commitments Energy efficiency has enormous potential to increase global productivity and prosperity while cutting waste and reducing emissions We must move decisively and in concert to enact and expand these bold measures.

What else do you think is missing for Africa to achieve a sustainable and efficient energy system? Talk to us at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa

Readings:

https://www.afdb.org/en/the-high-5/light-up-andpower-africa-%E2%80%93-a-new-deal-on-energyfor-africa

https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086 /715606

https://www.energy.gov/eere/energy-efficiency

“Energy efficiency has enormous potential to increase global productivity and prosperity while cutting waste and limiting emissions.”

-MeredithFowlieandRobynMeeks,2020

Courtesy:GettyImages

Courtesy:GettyImages

N$ 20.650/ US$ 1.387 perlitreDiesel50ppm

Kz 135.000/ US$ 0.266 perlitreDiesel50ppm

R 23.413/ US$ 1.282 perlitreDiesel50ppm

₦ 817.650/ US$ 1.778 perlitreDiesel50ppm

INFORMERCIAL: Daures Green Hydrogen Village

The Daures Green Hydrogen Village is in the heart of Namibia’s Erongo region, and it is the region's largest constituency that will house the Daures Green Hydrogen village - Africa’s first Net Zero community The Daures Constituency is 90km from Uis, about 120km from Omaruru and 264km from coastal port city Walvis Bay The project will showcase the sustainable production of green hydrogen and ammonia from renewable energy sources and pilot a green hydrogen economy with export potential for hydrogen derivatives while creating research opportunities for local and international students Notably, the project pilot phase aims to produce Namibia’s first green hydrogen and ammonia in Q1 of 2024 The project will also produce Namibia’s first carbon-free agriculture in climate-smart greenhouses.

Financing for Phase 1 has been secured from the German Federal Ministry of Research and Education for the installation of a 500KW electrolyzer and a 1MW renewable energy as part of the project’s first phase The full site measures 15 000 hectares for wind, solar, industrial, agricultural, and training sites which can generate in excess of 1GW

Phase 1 (Pilot Project) will be using borehole water while subsequent phases are looking at using desalinated water Through a 28-year time series study conducted by

Solargis, it has been determined that the long-term global horizontal irradiation and direct normal irradiation on Site A is 2 443 kWh/m2 and 2 902 kWh/m2 respectively

Figure 2: Long-Term Average Yearly Irradiation Values

The Daures Green Hydrogen Village site has direct normal irradiation values that falls within the top percentile of areas with high DNI values and photovoltaic output potential around the world A wind study carried out by GeoNet, found that at hub heights 120 m the average wind speed over a period of 20 years is 7m/s but through further analysis using a Bloomberg terminal, it has been found that the wind speeds on site can reach up to 8 5 m/s with gross capacity factors between 50% to 57%

Agriculture & fertilizer production

With majority of Namibia’s population depending directly or indirectly on agriculture (mostly in the subsistence sector) for their income and livelihood, agriculture is one of the country’s most important sectors However, the country’s arid climate and geographical conditions do not favor farming and the crop variety that is able to survive under these conditions is rather limited. Given its reliance on unstable and unpredictable climate, the sector is also at risk from the impact of climate change

The project thus also has an agricultural component to it

The village will produce Africa’s first carbon-free “green” tomatoes and carrots in climate-controlled greenhouses. During the project’s first phase, an estimation of 500 tons of tomatoes and 600 tons of carrots will be produced annually in climate-controlled 20 00 m2 greenhouses powered by fuel cells using locally produced hydrogen and ammonia An estimation of more than 3 000 tons of vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, cabbage, garlic, onions, and carrots) will be produced annually during the upscaling of the phases of the project to address food and nutritional insecurity within Namibia. A current feasibility study investigates the production of ammonium sulphate as nitrogen fertilizer from the project's very own green ammonia The locally produced fertilizer could cut down the transportation needs and reduce carbon emissions, both of which would reduce the fertilizer costs for local farmers and regional fertilizer markets. Additionally, the project is assessing the construction of a tomato puree facility for further value addition and extended self-life.

The community garden program intends to bring food security, create employment, and create a sustainable economic farming community for over 1 000 people within the constituency. With a decarbonized local agricultural scheme, total greenhouse gas emissions within the agricultural sector (transport of goods through exports and imports included) are reduced

Current highlights

Green Hydrogen Consortium and Fortescue Future Industries agree to explore collaborating on the Daures Green Hydrogen Village in Namibia. The two companies

have signed an MoU giving the parties an opportunity to explore the possibility of working together to develop greenhydrogenandgreenammoniafortheDauresGreen Hydrogen Village in Namibia. FFI will now have a period of exclusivity to study and perform due diligence on the project, which aims to revolutionize farming in Namibia and subsequently, Africa by potentially producing agricultural produce using fertilizer made from the green ammonia produced on sight and supplying green ammonia and green hydrogen to regional and internationalmarkets.

First off-take agreement with Sable Chemicals

The village signed a first off-take agreement with Zimbabwean ammonium nitrate fertilizer manufacturer, Sable Chemicals. The non-binding agreement will see Sable Chemicals taking up to 40,000 tons of green ammonia,akeycomponentinitsfertilizermanufacturing process

Agreement with Andrada Minning

Andrada Mining (formerly Afritin) have signed an MOU with Daures Green Hydrogen Village. The MOU seeks to explore areas for collaboration which includes water provisionintheareaandthepotentialuseofhydrogenin the decarbonization of the newly discovered Lithium depositsbyAndradaMininginthearea

Expansion Potential

With 100 MW power output from the renewables and 40 MW electrolyzer, the village can produce 6 020 tons/year hydrogen and 35 000 tons/year ammonia With 500 MW power output from the renewable and a 200 MW electrolyzer, the village can produce 30 100 tons/year hydrogen and 175 000 tons/year ammonia. Further expansion to 1 GW power output with a 400 MW electrolyzer foresees the project producing 60 200 tons/year hydrogen and 350 000 tons/year ammonia If one were to upscale the project to an even bigger renewable energy power output of 1 5 GW and a 600 MW electrolyzer, the village would be producing 90 300 tons/year hydrogen and 525 000 tons/year ammonia The potential to upscale the project to produce enough green hydrogen and green ammonia to export to international markets is there.

INFORMERCIAL: Daures Green Hydrogen Village

M I N I N G

Lithium Battery Production and Mining: A Contradiction?

Both the rush to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and increase growth levels in economies is putting a clear demand for addi-

tional resources These resources are needed to fuel sustainable energy provision either for photovoltaic panels, cables, or energy storage units such as batteries

While all of the above require some mining support for the requisite minerals, Lithium has come up for a lot of scrutiny, perceptional commentary, and general misconceptions Supply chain issues in the wake of Covid 19 has not helped either, impacting all sectors Commercial Risk states that mounting global supply chain disruption is likely to be the catalyst for a radical overhaul of supply chain risk management and could lead to increased regulation. Let's, therefore, do what we do well here and examine some of the issues raised.

Climate change is now a well-known term and with the need to reduce emissions, cleaner vehicles, and power sources are now being produced at faster rates than ever before. Estimates have been mooted for new electric vehicles to be some 30% of all new vehicles by 2030, up from 13% in 2022 This will then be a three-fold increase in material needs to meet these targets and will most likely come with commensurate cost increases from all sectors

With this demand, lithium demand is growing rapidly with resources noting that production rose from some 25 000 to 85 000 (over a 10-year period 2008 – 2018) Chile and Australia are said to be leading this charge for lithium production

AUTHOR: David Jarrett ManagingConsultant@RDJConsulting

ElectricVehicleVolumes2013-2022(Courtesyhttps://wwwev-volumescom/)

Lithium mining is under fire due in part to water shortages and droughts persistent in the mining areas of most countries In Chile, the water supply in the Atacama Desert is being impacted but needs to be better understood why Another matter is the need for land that has lithium contained in it thus causing a conflict between the usage of these lands.

There are mitigating points however with policies that can look at battery recycling, walk instead of drive approaches, and mass transit applications reducing the number of personal vehicles required The latter is most impactful noting the number of journeys made per capita globally in urban areas

Thus much can be done What is your view? Let us know or ask a question at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa where theconversationcontinues

Readings:

https://www ev-volumes com/ https://www.volkswagenag.com/en/news/stories/2020/03/ lithium-mining-what-you-should-know-about-thecontentious-issue html

https://www theguardian com/us-news/2023/jan/24/uselectric-vehicles-lithium-consequences-research

Courtesy:GettyImagesSignature

The Future is Safe with Us

Protecton South Africa (Pty) Ltd is the latest highlight of the Protecton Group story.

Founded in Namibia, as a product supplier and service provider, to NamPower (transmission system operator) and regional electricity distributors, Protecton has now expanded into South Africa.

As a BEE Level 1 Contributor, Protecton is actively participating in the mitigation and remedial actions

associated with solutions addressing South Africa's current electricity crises.

By providing cost-effective engineering support to electricity network operators, through a full value chain approach that encompasses engineering, procurement, maintenance, and testing services, to ensure electricity networks operate in a safe, economical, secure, and reliable manner.

Substation Automation System

The Substation Automation System is one of the many Protecton solutions for the enhanced performance of electricity networks.

Protecton incorporates client needs through active designs and implements the substation automation system, through a control system designed to harmonise the interoperability of substation digital technologies.

Results in the enhanced control and monitoring of substations, ultimately achieving optimal electricity delivery to end-user customers.

AUTHOR: David Jarrett ManagingConsultant@RDJConsulting

E L E C T R I C I T Y

Time of Use or “Use of Time”?

Courtesy:SCE

As energy providers or should I say, electricity providers grapple with the ever-growing demand, the need for appropriate tariff charges arises

They (tariffs) are needed to accomplish several factors Here they are:

Electricity tariffs indicate how much the utility will charge per unit of electricity consumed (usually defined in kilowatt-hours) or per unit of demand (usually defined in Kilowatts) Tariffs provide a “cost” value to the energy used or demanded and through its measure in kilowatthours (kWh), users get a perspective of a delivered amount

Another point for the user emanates through the elasticity demand principle. Here the user realises that as the cost per unit increases, the energy must be used wisely and not wasted This is basic economics but as any economist knows, some users will continue to demand at any price So, it can be said in general that tariffs provide a measure of value and also signify usage rate preference

In reality, however, consumers struggle to see these measures as they would with liquid measures of “litres

and gallons”. Let’s be fair, electricity is something we cannot see, so how can we be expected to understand a kWh?

The utility industry, stuck in its ways and having regulators of the same ilk, moves even further away from user perceptions with “time of use” or TOU tariff methodologies. Electricity prices are typically lower early in the day, overnight, and on the weekends as demonstrated by the examples quoted in US Cents. TOU plans can help you manage your energy costs By taking advantage of lower rates during certain periods, you can avoid higher weekday rates when energy resources are in high demand

TOU rates tend to incentivise energy consumption during certain hours when demand is typically less, and renewable energy resources (solar and wind) are more active These periods are referred to as “off-peak” and carry lower energy prices Now, this is not to say that TOU is not relevant but with a user already struggling to see the value for money of a kWh, we have now introduced varying rates based on “time of day” under a TOU regime.

So, what would be the solution?

Others have realised this and approached it with “rationing” This rationing approach utilises a tiering methodology whereby the user can in a specified period of time, usually one calendar month, use a stepped approach to their energy needs. Tiered pricing is also referred to as inclined block tariff pricing and the methodology sets a base amount of kWh per month as the initial allocation

With Tiered prices, a user can utilise a certain amount of electricity each month at a lower price. Once that limit is exceeded, a higher price applies as the demand moves through the tiers as set by the utility. Tiered rates incentivise lower overall consumption during each billing period by providing a lower rate for customers that stay under their published energy allowance These rates are known as “Baseline Usage” with higher rates if you go

over This approach doesn’t monitor when you consume energy In a tiered plan, customers don’t need to strategise daily energy use or activities based on the time ofday

In the finality of it all, the utility and the user both want what's fair to them What do you think? Let us know at briefing@rdjpublishing.africa

Readings:

https://www ecb org na/images/docs/Tariffs/2023/CoW%202022

pdf

https://www sce com/residential/rates/Standard-ResidentialRate-Plan

https://www.sce.com/residential/rates/Time-Of-Use-ResidentialRate-Plans

https://www whatnextnow com/home/solar/understanding-yourelectricity-bill-tiered-pricing-versus-a-time-of-use-rate-schedule https://www epcor com/account-billing/understanding-your-billcollingwood/Pages/switching-to-tiered-prices aspx https://www.apt4power.com/2016/03/16/utility-tariffs-vselectric-rates-whats-the-difference/

Courtesy:SCE

FURNTECH:THE FUTURE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR NAMIBIA

Ensuring the Journey to Sustainability for Rural Areas

It's time to take control of your energy needs Introducing the revolutionary "DC Energydock"- the ultimate solution for long-term energy needs This Innovative little power solution harnesses direct boasts the latest 12 8V "Prime-line Lithium Iron Phosphate (LifePO4) battery technology, offering unrivalled efficiency and reliability

With an easy-to-install design, the DC Energydock" is a cost effective option that provides the informal sector with an energy solution that is reliable It is equipped to power a 12V 32" TV a 12V fan a 210-litre freezer six internal and two external lights making it capable to power all your essential needs

Furntech Agencies (Pty) Ltd has been a leader in the wholesale and distribution of consumer electronics in Namibia for the past 30 years The company boasts a broad

client base in various sectors such as furniture, DIY, FMCG, corporates, government, tourism, mining, and agriculture Furntech has always aimed to bring high-quality products to the market along with guaranteed maintenance and after-sale support Currently Furntech is a proud wholesale distributor of several well-known brands, including SAMSUNG, Whirlpool, KIC, UNIVA, Midea, HISENSE, KENWOOD, Wahl, Delonghi, BRAUN, Philips Lighting, SnoMaster, and more

In keeping with Furntech's visionary nature the company has ventured into the renewable energy market by forming an associated partnership with Specialized Solar Systems Specialized Solar Systems is a South African company established in 2008 with a new product line in renewable energy This product range includes Plug and Play compact energy solutions, custom-built "Backboard Builds" energy solutions, and off-grid utility energy solutions for remote developments that can provide power to multiple households using modular remotely managed energy generation systems The product ranges also include "Prime-life Lithium Iron Phosphate (LifePO₄) batteries" that cater to most solar applications

About the Energydock and Storagedock Product Range

The "Energydock" product range aims to take the guesswork out of complicated technical energy system design The products conform to industry safety and design standards, are equipped with the latest components sourced from the world's leading manufacturers and are often revised to keep us abreast of one of the fastest-moving industry technology trends

Each "Energydock" is supported by "Storagedocks" Prime-life Lithium Iron Phosphate (LifePO₄) batteries with an expected life greater than 4,000 cycles at 80% DOD, making them a viable longterm energy solution Product components are pre-programmed for optimal performance The Energydocks range is modular in design and can " grow " as energy needs increase The entire range is housed in a sleek enclosure, which eliminates unsightly wires and cluttered components ensuring rapid installations - ideal for residential and commercial use

Impact of our Energydock Power Solutions

Otilia Nuyoma from the Oshitenda informal settlement in Windhoek, Namibia, said: "My life has changed for the better as I am now able to sell fresh meat chicken and fish to my neighbours as well as charge their cell phones " Her son Paulinus echoed the sentiment adding that the sales made from the fridge had improved their standard of living; allowing him to afford taxi rides to school and the lights allowed him to study and ultimately pass his grade 11 exams

Furntech's partnership with Specialized Solar Systems is a positive step towards improving access to renewable energy in Namibia particularly in rural areas where energy infrastructure may not be as developed The use of modular energy systems and innovative battery technology can make it easier and more cost-effective for households and businesses to adopt solar energy solutions

Energydocks in Windhoek: Image of Oshitenda Informal Settlement and a solar system on the roof of the house connected to the DC Energydock

Life changing: Image of Paulinus with an Energydock inside his home at Oshitenda Informal Settlement Pictures courtesy of RDJ Publishing

Say "Goodbye" to frustrating power outages and electricity price increases and "Hello" to uninterrupted energy with the "DC Energydock"!

R E N E W A B L E E N E R G Y

Access to Energy - Negative Gender Impacts

AUTHOR: Lilongeni Unoovene RenewableEnergyConsultantforFurntechAgencies

With the proverbial energy poverty that rural communities are faced with, it is safe to say that it has adverse impacts on the social well-being

of women and children living in these areas. Let us be clear that energy serves as a tool of development and a source for both economic and environmental problems It is also a common truth that limited access to clean or rather green energy has detrimental effects on women and girls’ health and economic opportunities

Contextually, women and girls in the African culture are regarded as the main custodians of a household’s wellbeing and maintenance This can be witnessed as their living conditions and their productive time application is compromised due to the utilisation of traditional biofuels such as wood and dung Women in general are burdened with the task of collecting firewood to produce heat energy for the preparation of food and this involves strenuous walks over long distances coupled with heavy lifting.

Several issues arise:

The main gatherers and consumers of household energy are women and children

The time used in search of firewood reduces the time needed for the improvement of their living standards

Women are prone to sexual harassment due to collecting of energy resources (i e firewood) during the early hours of the day.

In addition, the gases emitted by the biofuels like firewood pose health risks and hazards to the consumer These dangers could increase the risk of contracting respiratory problems such as bronchitis and asthma, let alone the negative environmental impacts of air pollution which is one of the contributing factors to global warming

There however are technological solutions available and cost-friendly. Establishing loose-standing solar energy systems like the Energydocks’ in these areas where there is a huge population of women and children, would spur household electrification which in turn will improve school attendance for the girl child The odds of employment opportunities for women will increase exponentially since there will be a dramatic increase in the number of learners completing their primary and secondary education.

Courtesy:RDJConsulting

Courtesy:RDJConsulting

When women in rural areas have access to lighting to perform homework, they could also have access to educational material ...

AUTHOR: Hannah Brendell PolicySpecialist-Intern@RDJConsulting

Courtesy:Pixabay

Hydroponics is quickly becoming more and more visible in our everyday lives From small herb kits available at grocery stores to larger hydroponic systems providing vegetables at restaurants and lodges So why has hydroponics taken off so quickly?

As Hydroponics is the technique of growing plants in a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil which is traditionally used It makes even land-constrained areas such as cities ideal for growing much-needed vegetation or food crops In addition to water, the system can include an aggregate substrate such as vermiculite, coconut coir or perlite to provide mechanical support.

Going back to the question of why hydroponics is taking off, one big reason is Water! It is well known that access to fresh water will become more challenging in the years ahead, especially to areas already prone to droughts like countries in sub-Saharan Africa (stats) Additionally, the agricultural sector uses the majority of the freshwater supplies with an estimated 70% of global freshwater going towards agriculture according to the World Bank.

Another big reason for the move towards hydroponics is the challenges that come with using Soil! These include challenges like nutrient scarcity, climate volatility, and irrigation control according to Securing Water for Food, a non-profit based in Kenya Urban horticulture in vertical systems seems to be a feasible solution to supply a growing urban population with healthy, locally grown vegetables and to utilise waste products such as heat, CO2, and nutrients from cities However, growing vegetables in such systems are somewhat different than in conventional planar greenhouse systems, with respect to climate and light interception

The benefits, however, are many including, shorter crop growing cycles and therefore faster harvest times, the method requiring much less water than traditional field crop methods (as much as 10 times less water) with up to 80% of the discharge water can be recovered for reuse,

high production on a smaller area of land, and easier pest control With the ability to better manage planting time and harvesting periods due to how controlled the systems are leads to an increased number of harvests due to shorter crop cycles and inherently a reduction in labour costs as tasks like tilling the soil are foregone.

As with any system of benefits, some of the challenges are the inability to grow certain crops even though various vegetables do well in hydroponic systems but some can simply not be grown in them such as root vegetables like carrots, onions, and beetroots Another matter of concern is the spread of viruses despite easier pest control, hydroponic systems are easily overwhelmed by viruses which quickly spread to overwhelm an entire harvest. Maintaining oxygen levels in hydroponic systems or simply adding fresh water to them requires air and water pumps which are often run on electricity This cost however can be mitigated by adopting solar energy technologies

The high initial investment costs for infrastructure for hydroponic systems is relatively costly and utility costs along with nutrient costs are all costs that make hydroponics rather expensive at least over the short term

Share your thoughts with us on hydroponic systems as the conversation continues briefing@rdjpublishing.africa .

Readings:

https://namibia un org/en/113777-hydroponic-fodderproduction-innovative-solution-times-drought https://securingwaterforfood org/innovators/hydroponicsafrica-ltd

https://www africanfarming com/forty-hectares-successhydroponics/ https://www nps gov/articles/hydroponics htm#:~:text=Les s%20water%3A%20Hydroponic%20systems%20use,and%20 drain%20to%20the%20environment

https://www ishs org/ishs-article/1034 17

Courtesy:GettyImages

R O A D S A N D T R A N S P O R T

Logistics and Transport – Impact of Women

AUTHOR: David Junias Researcher@RDJConsulting

In many developed economies, logistics, and transportation account for between 6% and 12% of the GDP according to the Geography of Transport

Systems a handy transport and logistics textbook. The movement of goods reminds us once more about the importance of logistics and transportation in everyday life As logistics and transportation effectively and efficiently spur growth and development, it enables the swift movement of exotic products and services to your doorsteps That is just an icebreaker, so what is logistics?

Logistics involves the overall process of managing how resources are acquired, stored, and transported from the point of manufacturing to their destination One fundamental significance of logistics and transportation is the ease of accessibility to products and services through careful planning, controlling, and forecasting Thus the logistics and transport sector is one that governments cannot exclude in budgeting.

The flow of information, money, and material

As pointed out by The World of Logistics, there are three (3) categories of moved items in logistics; information, materials, and money Material flow includes transporting and storage of materials or products Money flow includes compensation to be paid for raw materials and products While Information flow includes customer demand forecast and the documentation of purchase orders, requisitions, and quotations.

Women in logistics and transport (WiLAT)

According to AFP Global Logistics, women in the logistics industry specifically can only be traced back to years after World War II (WWII) when the American workforce called for women's recruitment during wartime as there was a

severe shortage of labor to mass produce the materials needed for the war effort

The logistics and transport sector are still reckoning with female representation, particularly in managerial positions. A Gartner Survey reports that women made up around 41% of the supply chain workforce in 2021. Out of this 41%, around 15% of women were in the top levels of the companies. This indicates that women are making their mark in the supply chain sector, however, these are emerging statistics indicating Women in the past haven't been actively involved in this type of workforce or levels

Investment is key to achieving fluid information, material, and money flow in logistics. However, capital resources are scarce in developing countries in Africa. Thus, major challenges affecting the industry in Africa are largely due to limited funds and investment This adds a further barrier to the involvement of women in the industry

To date, women are actively represented in the logistics sector by the Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT). It was founded in 2013 to promote the status of women in

logistics and transport, it brings together those who support the talent and career development of women while also providing a support network and mentoring opportunities for women in the sector The organisation has footprints all over the world, with notable marks in Australia,Asia,andAfrica

Amongst others, WiLAT is one of those organisations giving hope and representation to women in the field of logistics and transportation. If you know about similar organisations in your area, let us discuss this as the conversationcontinuesat briefing@rdjpublishing.africa

Readings:

https://www wilat org/

https://www logistiikanmaailma fi/en/logistics/logistics-andsupply-chain/city-logistics/ https://afplus com/evolution-women-logistics/ https://www namibian com na/public/uploads/documents/6220c5 7d4bb86/logistics pdf

https://www gartner com/en/supply-chain/trends/2021-women-insupply-chain-survey-highlights

https://www namport com na/news/840/new-terminal-at-walvisbay-becomes-fully-operational/

Courtesy:GettyImages

I C T & T E L E C O M M U N I C A T I O N S

Radio - celebrating humanity in all its diversity

AUTHOR: Kina Indongo CommunicationsSpecialist@RDJPublishing

Radio has historically been used as a pervasive communication tool. More recently it often acts as the voice of a generation Beyond its entertainment value, Radio is a powerful far reaching tool for information dissemination, that holds tremendous importance for the African continent and rural communities globally

What makes Radio so important globally and to the African continent? Radio remains the most far-reaching medium of information dissemination. In South Africa alone in 2021, about 80% of South Africans had tuned to radio stations, with most people still listening in on traditional radio sets

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Radio goes where newer technologies can't. Only 43.1% of Africa's 1.4 billion population has access to internet services, compared to the global average of 66 2%, meaning more than 50% of the continent's population relies on traditional media for information Radio has the unique ability to reach the widest audience

In celebration of World Radio Day proclaimed in 2011 by the Member States of UNESCO, and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as an International Day We spoke to two Namibian Radio personalities in the Media profession to glean insight into how they utilise their platform on Radio as a peace building tool that promotes diversity

https://www lifelineenergy org/9-reasons-why-radio-is-important-to-africa/ https://www e-ir info/2010/08/28/the-role-of-media-in-peace-building-conflict-management-and-prevention/ https://www statista com/statistics/1176654/internet-penetration-rate-africa-compared-to-global-average/ https://www unesco org/en/days/world-radio

Courtesy:Pixabay

My love for radio started in my final year of matric, listening to the Metro FM Breakfast show in South Africa before school. That specific team of on-air personalities had a way of connecting with me and lifting my spirits I thought to myself what a joy to wake up and make people feel better about themselves and life My career started on campus radio, Matie FM in Stellenbosch The rest as they say - is history I am fast approaching two decades in the industry and in that time have worked for the largest commercial radio stations in the country. I am privileged to currently host Lunch with Laimi on Radiowave from 12h00 - 15h00, Monday to Friday My career has been embedded in radio broadcasting with experience ranging from production to sales and I was recently appointed the Corporate Communications Officer at Future Media, which is the holding company for the leading commercial stations in Namibia.

Radio is a powerful medium for celebrating humanity in all its diversity. How does radio highlight the unique voices within a nation?

In the words of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, " The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete They make one story become the only story."

Radio especially in Africa has provided a platform to tell stories and especially our stories as Africans. The world has for far too long created a narrative about our continent and radio has always been the medium through which we have told our stories Especially local radio, which is relevant to the experience of everyday life of the

audience it broadcasts to This remains the case as radio embraces technology and we can now share the unique voices and experiences of our people with not only the international community but of those in the diaspora I remember an interviewee once sharing with me that there is unity in diversity. I believe this to be true, humanity needs to learn to celebrate the diversity in each other and embrace cultural appreciation and radio will remain the perfect platform for humanity to engage, educate, inform, celebrate and tell the stories of these unique voices

Radio is a platform for democratic discourse. How can radio be used as a peace-building tool?

As a UNAM graduate of Political Science, I understand that transparency is one of the foundations on which democracy is built. In a world of social media and an overload of information in which "fake news" thrives, radio has been the trusted medium to which people have turned for verification This was proven during the Covid 19 pandemic, there have been multiple surveys published that have shown that communities are increasingly relying on radio to bring them reliable news. People consumed more radio during the pandemic. How does this relate to radio as a tool for peacebuilding? The radio broadcasting industry bears the burden of responsibility for democratic discourse This has been evident throughout history, the 1994 Rwandan Genocide will always be the blueprint of how radio can be used as a weapon to incite violence And the opposite is true Radio content that provides the facts and educates audiences, will give the listener the invaluable ability to make up their own minds and make informed decisions.

Hi there! My name is Mehafo Amunyela and I am a journalist and radio presenter at The Namibian newspaper and Desert Radio I host the daily youth show with my cohost, Mercy Karuuombe, that takes place from 14:0015:00 every weekday on Desert Radio 95.3 FM.

Radio is a powerful medium for celebrating humanity in all its diversity. How does radio highlight the unique voices within a nation?

I believe that radio gives an opportunity to people to tell their stories that are unique and fully Namibian In my experience with hosting Youth Central, we have interviewed so many young people with amazing stories. From self-published authors to young politicians and even high school debaters and sports stars. Radio highlights unique voices because we tell stories every single day

Radio is a platform for democratic discourse. How can radio be used as a peace-building tool?

By sharing information, radio can become a very useful tool to destroy conflict between people, groups or even states. Radio also disseminates information on human rights issues.

Ms. Liami Elago

Ms. Mehafo Amuneyla

WOMEN IN INDUSTRY The Women of Protecton

Interviewed by Ms Kina Indongo (Communications Specialist - RDJ Consulting)

We had the pleasure of speaking to two vibrant and quick-witted women from Protecton Engineering Namibia (Pty) Ltd An exciting look into women in the Engineering Industry and how they have reinvented themselves or transformed the projectstheywereworkingon

Introducing Ms. Ester Meameno Shitana

Ms Ester Meameno Shitana holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Degree from the University Of Namibia (UNAM) and has passed her Legal Practitioners' Qualifying Examinations Ms Shitana’s career journey started when she was elected as the National Secretary of Legal Affairs for the Namibia National Student’s Organisation (NANSO)whichisastudentrunbodythatadvocatesforfreeandqualityeducationfor all students and learners in the Republic of Namibia While serving on that body, she wasthenhiredasalegalinternatKadhilaAmoomoLegalPractitioners,whereshewas then promoted as a Candidate Legal Practitioner. Her current position at Protecton Engineering Namibia (Pty) Ltd is that of Legal Advisor and Company Secretary from December2020

PleasedescribeyourjourneyinthelegalfieldwithintheEnergyIndustry?

I realized at a very young age that I have always wanted to make an impact in the lives of other people Whether it was by being a class captain, a prefect or a Learner’s Representative Council member or volunteering at various organizations, it was through that participation that I realized how law could be used as a conduit to bring about change and how it could be used to advocate for social justice and systematic change

Pleasedescribeanynoteworthymilestonesorpersonalachievements?

At the top of my head, I would say completing my Bachelors Degree in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Another milestone for me is being part of the Kilimanjaro Declaration (2016) Review team 2022 The declaration was prepared by Africans Rising which is a pan Africanist organization This opportunity put me in a room with the former Vice President of The Gambia, Her Excellency Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang who was the chairperson of the review committee and gave me an opportunity to learn from her as well as likeminded young professionals from across the continent

WhatuniquecontributiondoyoufeelwomenwhoarenotfromSTEMfieldsbring tomaledominatedindustriessuchastheenergyindustry?

I think the contribution of anyone who hasn’t traditionally worked in STEM fields is a new and unique set of skills and knowledge Take myself for example - I bring my legal expertise to a very technical engineering industry What I bring to the table is that I am able to use my legal expertise to supplement the work they are doing. As women I think we bring skills such as resilience, by existing in a largely male dominated industry, where you have to fortify yourself to take challenges head on

Whatadvicewouldyougivewomenwhowouldliketofollowinyourfootsteps?

Do it while you’re scared. When I decided to take on this job I was really scared. I felt I knew nothing about the engineering industry If you had asked me a few years ago if I would go into this industry I would have said "Never" Take time to invest in yourself and learn about the industry you would like to enter, find a mentor who is willing to teach you and help you grow in the specific industry.

"Do it while you are scared"

-Ms. Ester Shitana

Introducing Ms. Rauna Kasheeta

Rauna Kasheeta has an honours degree from the University of Namibia in Electrical Engineering SheiscurrentlypursuingherMastersdegreeinRenewableEnergy&Green Hydrogen at the University of Namibia in collaboration with the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) in Germany. Ms. Kasheeta joined the Protecton Engineering Namibia Company in May 2021 as an assistant electrical engineer; she was thenpromotedtothepositionofproposalengineerandcoordinator

Ms. Kasheeta ascribes her interest in Science to her mother, who from an early age encouragedhersenseofcuriosityforSTEMrelatedstudies.Shefondlyrecallshowatan earlyagehermotherboughthermathandsciencebookstogrowhercuriosityforscience as she realised her daughter’s strong passion in science Additionally Ms Kasheeta was further encouraged by her father’s career in the mining industry particularly that of Namdeb Diamond Corporation (Pty) Limited. Finally, Ms. Kasheeta says that she is motivatedbythedesiretobeapartofpositivechangetotheenergyindustryinNamibia

Pleasedescribeanynoteworthymilestonesorpersonalachievements?

My greatest personal achievement was when I decided to apply for a women in engineering Southern Africa fellowship, which took place in June 2019 in South Africa. The fellowship was run by a non-profit organization, WomEng Aimed towards creating a diverse and inclusive engineering and technology workforce through education and technology Ever since then, I joined the organization again in 2022 as an ambassador for the #1MillionGirlsinSTEM global campaign with a mission of reaching 1 million girls to create awareness and provide information about STEM related careers

Howcancountriesengagemorewomen,girls,andotherunder-representedgroups intotheSTEMfield?

I believe what countries can do to encourage more girls, women, and other underrepresented groups is by creating awareness campaigns in communities on educating these individuals on the different STEM careers Another thing that will also be very beneficial is if governments come up with policies that support female founders and innovators in STEM business through incubators and accelerator programmes In addition to this, integrating topics of STEM related careers in school subjects in the current education system as Life Skills is another way of engaging young girls to pursue STEM related careers

What unique contribution do you feel women bring to male dominated industries suchastheenergyindustry?

Women think differently from men, therefore when you include women into work spaces that are male dominated such as the energy industry, they bring new and different solutions to problems that are different from men. This brings about a diverse workforce. When you have a diverse workforce, you have an innovative workforce Also, women tend to have a wider range of soft skills that men do not have Therefore, this creates a balance in such workplaces

WhatadvicewouldyougivewomenwhohavenotstudiedorworkedinSTEMFields whoareinterestedinenteringtheenergyindustry?

My only advice that I would like to give is to not buy into the stereotype that STEM careers are only for men. That is a lie. You have to go for what it is that you want, you have to be goal oriented and rebellious enough to push forward The sky is not the limit, but the limit is yourself Finally, I would like to encourage young girls who are interested in pursuing STEM related careers to reach out or go to the WomEng organization website, here are a lot of programmes that happen yearly that could provide them with guidance for their careers and in addition to this, there is a great network of women that are always willing to provide assistance/help such as mentorship

"The sky is not the limit, but the limit is yourself "

-Ms. Rauna Kasheeta

Youth In Action

The New Generation of African Energy leaders

Interview with Ms. Aina Kauluma

Interviewed by Ms Kina Indongo (Communications Specialist)

African Youth are endowed with an incomparable capacity to create, change and innovate African societies which are currently experiencing whirling technological,environmentalandbusiness evolutions. Africa’s population is the youngest in the world. Almost 60% of its population is under 25, and it’s expected to double by 2050. It is tremendously important that the collective zeal of African Youth is harnessed to usher in the next generation of African Energy leaders. We spoke to one such youth Ms. Aina Kauluma, regarding her journey into the Energyindustry.

Personal Journey

Aina Kauluma is a Renewable Energy Analyst at the Daures Green Hydrogen Consortium During her undergraduate program, she worked as a research assistant at the Namibia Energy Institute. Ms.Kaulumaholdsadegreeinscienceand applied physics with honors. She is currently enrolled in her final year of the MSc.RenewableEnergyprogram.

Noteworthy milestones / personal achievements

I attended the 7th biennial African School of Fundamental Physics and Applications in 2022 and my undergraduate mini thesis has been published in several scholarly journals

"Youarethefuturesouseyourvoice"

Even when it is shaky, you will find yourself in rooms with important and already established people but do not let that scare you. Do not let fear hinder your growth, if you are scared do whateverisexpectedofyouwhileafraid."

Ms. AinaKauluma

Please describe what motivated you to pursue a career in The Green Hydrogen Industry?

It is only fitting that I developed an interest in sustainability because it is ingrained in African culture and customs and is something that we Africans value highly

I read the book “Ikigai: A Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life” when I was still a freshman at university and had not yet decided what field I would study at a postgraduate level. This book helped me realize that the field I would likely enter that would bring me a great sense of satisfaction in life would be the renewable energy field

The field of renewable energy technology is continually developing, and green hydrogen just so happens to be a recently established industry in Namibia in particular

The prospect of being part of some new groundbreaking field that would aid in the fight to help global decarbonization sounded incredibly compelling to me I am also just lucky enough to be working on a project that is working for the betterment of a whole community I take great pride in that

Kindly, mention any challenges you have experienced as a youth in the Energy Industry?

In as much as I am part of the youth demographic, I do feel that my identity intersects between being a youth, being a woman and being black. I cannot touch on one without touching on the other identities. But in my journey within the Energy Industry thus far, I have not faced many challenges yet I also work for a youth driven company so there is a spoken and unspoken agreement of sorts where individual and professional growth is encouraged I have also met a lot of people who have shared encouraging words with me as they see the youth as the future.

The New Generation of Energy Leaders

“Oftheworld’snearlythreebillionyouth,the highest numbers live in regions with the greatest energy needs Sixty percent of Africansareunder25,makingittheyoungest continentintheworld.Insub-SaharanAfrica, the region with the lowest rates of clean energy”-ReportstheUNDP

What are some dangers of delaying the energytransition?

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has a goal of halving carbon emissions by 2030 in order to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 so as to limit global temperature rise to 1 5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels as stipulated by the Paris Agreement Energy production of all types accounts for 72% of CO2 emissions Some dangers of delaying the energy transition include, but are not limited to, loss and damage to the environment, society, and government and private institutions

HowcanAfricanyouthhavealargershare in addressing the energy needs in SubSaharanAfrica?

Africa has amazing renewable energy potential however; many African youths experience energy poverty which further exacerbates crippling health conditions and access to education With further or increased investments from governments, more youth can have access to energy which enables digital and academic inclusion that would enable the youth to have a larger share in addressing the energy needs in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Education is paramount for a sustainable energy transition. How can the Namibian Government better educate the future labor force with the skills for the energy transition?

Governments should collaborate with tertiary institutions, the private sector, and experts within the industry to redevelop some already existing programs to better educate people to work with current renewable energy technologies with hands-on practical experience and have the potential to be able to develop future renewable energy technologies.

But in as much as the Namibian Government can educate the future labor force, capacity retention after capacity building should also be prioritized Namibia cannot have the skilled workers and experts having to leave the country or the continent for work Who will be left to develop the country?

Finally, what advice would you give other youthshopingtofollowinyourfootsteps?

The renewable energy field is always evolving so to keep up with any new developments, constant and consistent reading should be a priority of yours Finding a mentor who will guide you through the different aspects of your life; be it professional, academic, or personal is something I would highly recommend because going through life with the belief that you can never reach out for help when needed will corner you into suffering in silence You are the future so use your voice even when it is shaky, you will find yourself in rooms with important and alreadyestablished individuals but do not let that scare you. Do not let fear hinder your growth, if you are scared do whatever is expected of you while afraid And ask questions I attended a lecture where the speaker said “there are no stupid questions, only questions that are easy to answer, hard to answer, or have no answer” so ask questions

Daures Site: Pictures from Daures Website Gallery

TENDERS

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Bid Closing Date: 16 March 2023

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Zambia - ZESCO

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Namibia - Ministry of Works and Transport

Description: Bids are invited for the following: Leasing of 58 photocopy machines for the Ministry of Works and Transport, Department of Works and Department of Administration for a period of three years

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Namibia - NamPort

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Namibia - Road Authority

Description: Roads Authority hereby invites competent and registered companies to submit their best proposal for the following: External audit services for the Roads Authority for a period of 36 months.

Bid Closing Date: 23 March 2023

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