The impact of forced electricity rationing on shopping and media consumption

International Journal of Emerging Markets, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 27, 2025

Purpose This study provides detailed insights into how electricity rationing affects shopping and media consumption in an emerging market context. Given that (also known as load-shedding) is a regular occurrence many countries, this research brings unique consumer perspective. Design/methodology/approach The employed qualitative exploratory design to investigate the effect of on consumption. A combined convenience snowball sampling technique was utilised select 78 households across various locations South Africa. Through in-depth interviews thematic analysis, themes were extracted explained. Findings findings showed that, for higher-income households, remained relatively consistent or increased during load-shedding periods. Middle-income families mixed pattern use response load-shedding. Lower-income found bear brunt media-consumption constraints caused by shortages. Consumers are increasingly switching streaming alternatives adapt limitations availability platforms mobile devices laptops limited household battery backups allows viewers sidestep disruptions outages. Originality/value While outages norm impact significant. To date, no other has comprehensively explored these behaviour markets.

Language: Английский

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Power Generation Time Series for Solar Energy Generation: Modelling with ATlite in South Africa

Solar, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 5(1), P. 8 - 8

Published: March 7, 2025

The global energy landscape is experiencing growing challenges, with crises in regions such as South Africa underscoring the drive to accelerate shift toward renewable solutions. This paper presents an approach for improving solar planning, specifically focusing on leveraging capabilities of ATlite software conjunction custom data. Using mathematical models, (which was initially developed by Renewable Energy Group at Frankfurt Institute Advances Studies) a Python package that converts historical weather data into power generation potentials and time series technologies photovoltaic (PV) panels wind turbines. efficiently combines atmospheric terrain from large using user-defined weights based land use or yield. In this study, European Centre Medium-Range Weather Forecasts reanalysis (ERA5) modified Kriging enhance resolution each field. refined applied ATlite, instead utilizing standard built-in download processing tools, generate capacity factor maps series. utilized identify specific PV well optimal sites power. Thereafter, simulated compared measured data, resulting root mean square error (RMSE) 19.6 kW 250 kWp installation. approach’s flexibility versatility inclusion led conclusion it could be suitable option planning decision making globally, providing value installers planners.

Language: Английский

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Predictive Model of Energy Consumption Using Machine Learning: A Case Study of Residential Buildings in South Africa

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(11), P. 4365 - 4365

Published: May 22, 2024

The recurrent load shedding crisis in South Africa has highlighted the need to accurately predict electricity consumption for residential buildings. This significant ramifications daily life and economic productivity. To address this challenge, study leverages machine learning models hourly energy of buildings Africa. evaluates performance various regression techniques, including Random Forest (RF), Decision Tree (DT), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Adaptive (AdaBoost) models, using a national dataset that contains measurements collected every hour. objective is determine most effective predicting next-hour building consumption. These use historical patterns usage capture temporal details such as seasonal variations rolling averages. Feature engineering methods are further employed enhance their predictive capabilities. each individual model was evaluated criteria mean squared error (MSE), absolute (MAE), percentage (MAPE), coefficient determination (R2). results show both RF DT achieve best accuracy prediction (because MSE, MAE, MAPE very close 0). findings offer actionable insights households, businesses, policymakers. By enabling more accurate granular forecasts, can mitigate effects shedding. contributes discourse on sustainable management by combining advanced with real-world challenges.

Language: Английский

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Influence of load shedding in South African higher education: a qualitative content analysis of Schools of Music

Cogent Education, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: June 6, 2024

Load shedding in South Africa has a profound impact on various sectors, including education, and specifically, African music education faces significant disruptions. One of the most notable effects is interruption instruction, with load frequently causing classes to be interrupted. This leads gaps learning disjointed educational experience for students. The aim this article was investigate influence higher particularly Schools Music. study utilized qualitative research method relied heavily secondary data. It employed data cleaning strategy triangulation approach ensure validity minimized bias. Additionally, Critical Pedagogy Theory used address exacerbated socio-economic disparities resulting from shedding. findings highlighted that before onset shedding, already faced an urban-rural divide, urban institutions having better resources opportunities than rural schools. exacerbates these disparities, as students disadvantaged backgrounds face increased barriers accessing musical instruments supplementary resources. In conclusion, emphasized urgent need concerted efforts mitigate education. underscored transformative potential inclusive, uninterrupted instruction rural-based

Language: Английский

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The Impact of Load-Shedding on Scheduled Water Delivery Services for Mohlaba-Cross Village, Greater Tzaneen, South Africa

Water, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(14), P. 2033 - 2033

Published: July 18, 2024

Reliable potable water is essential for sustaining livelihoods and promoting human well-being, yet many rural communities in South Africa have disrupted inadequate access. This has been exacerbated by the energy crisis that led to frequent load-shedding. As a water-scarce country, African government considers sustainable management of resources as critical lives livelihoods. The lengthy load-shedding schedules prompted need investigate how they disrupt scheduled delivery services using case Mohlaba-Cross Village Limpopo Province. study investigated challenges poses access already water-deprived communities. Quantitative qualitative data were collected through structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, observations, review documents. Results indicate significantly disrupts services, hence daily household chores, livelihoods, local businesses, economic activities. Some community members resorted buying from private vendors, which unsustainable, especially low-income households small businesses. Despite understanding limitations caused load-shedding, proactive measures hindered lack communication collaboration among stakeholders. Low pumping capacity adaptability posed additional limitations. underscores importance supply-side interventions authorities, such investing alternative sources improving address interconnected security challenges. Managing demand side conservation embracing adaptive strategies requires effective all However, this authorities initiate process. Our contributes energy-water nexus stakeholder engagement emerging It provides insights policymakers, managers, foster practices improve well-being all.

Language: Английский

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Sustainable Development Goals in South Africa: Progress and Challenges

Advances in geographical and environmental sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 93 - 146

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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Techno-Economic Analysis of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Power Interruptions: A Systematic Review

Eng—Advances in Engineering, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5(3), P. 2108 - 2156

Published: Sept. 2, 2024

The challenge of providing reliable electricity during power interruptions, especially in rural and remote regions, has prompted the exploration Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRESs). This systematic review employs PRISMA framework to conduct a comparative analysis HRES configurations, specifically those integrating rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV), diesel generators (DGs), converters, battery energy storage systems (BESSs). assesses techno-economic performance these various countries, highlighting cost efficiency, reliability, environmental impact compared traditional single-resource systems. reveals that HRESs offer significant advantages managing supply particularly regions with high potential but unreliable grid access. A other countries demonstrates while configurations are tailored local conditions, integration PV is consistently effective strategy across different contexts. provides essential insights for policymakers stakeholders, facilitating optimization solutions regional needs.

Language: Английский

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Rethinking the (Un)just Transition: A Review of the Impact of Neoliberal Approaches to Energy Governance in South Africa

Journal of Law Society and Development, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 14, 2024

South Africa has demonstrated a firm commitment to just transition from coal renewable energy sources by outlining roadmap for the decommissioning of its coal-fired power stations and procuring clean energy. Ideally, this is laudable response climate change pathway sustainable future. However, not inherently because underlying neoliberal policies that underpin it, which are, large degree, in Africa’s best interests. The purported unintended results, such as undermining sovereignty, perpetuating existing global imbalances, aggravating poverty, leading many economic social injustices. This paper uses doctrinal legal research explore influence towards It argues truly Just Energy Transition must be grounded interests should sacrifice country’s sovereignty perceived greater good at time when giant economies West, are responsible bulk activities contribute change, revamping their buying own heating, lighting, industry. To achieve this, examines duplicity arising what may an embrace fighting phasing out activity country retreating due lack consistent reliable supply. As such, makes case energy-sovereign prioritises domestic control over resources, promotes deployment socially equitable, empowers communities shape futures. attain it look into resources revisit aspects law policy compromise ability fight poverty.

Language: Английский

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Load Shedding and Its Crippling Effect on The South African Economy: An Entrepreneurial Perspective

Deleted Journal, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 21(2)

Published: May 31, 2024

The country has experienced industry shutdowns, decreased productivity, educational setbacks, increased unemployment rates, and negative healthcare outcomes. Load-shedding in South Africa is primarily caused by inadequate maintenance, internal mismanagement, corruption, a lack of skills. This issue had significant impact on small businesses, as they often the necessary resources to handle power surges, equipment damage, costs associated with replacing stock. paper explores how load-shedding impacted African economy from an entrepreneurial perspective. research qualitative exploratory nature, it was found that businesses' finances, resources, performance. severe daily lives people, causing disruptions households, overall economy. Eskom, primary supplier energy Africa, been facing challenges meeting growing demand for electrical energy, leading job losses, loss billions rands. Small businesses have particularly affected, estimated 75% them failing after being operational less than three years due load-shedding. To ensure electricity operate during recommended adopt alternative sources like solar increase businesses’ independence mitigate effects government should also encourage support collaborate successful renewable companies.

Language: Английский

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Adjusting Education Amid Emergency—A University of Technology Case

Smart innovation, systems and technologies, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 11 - 18

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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