Developing a Technological Innovations Framework for Energy Security: a Case of City Power, Johannesburg

Mchunu, Nkosingizwile Mazwi and Gumbo, Trynos and Onatu, George (2024) Developing a Technological Innovations Framework for Energy Security: a Case of City Power, Johannesburg. KEEP ON PLANNING FOR THE REAL WORLD. Climate Change calls for Nature-based Solutions and Smart Technologies. Proceedings of REAL CORP 2024, 29th International Conference on Urban Development, Regional Planning and Information Society. pp. 171-181. ISSN 2521-3938

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Abstract

Rapid urban growth in the world’s cities, particularly in the Global South has placed unprecedented demand for energy supply that keeps vital urban energy systems functioning in order to support life and economic activities in urban areas. Cities are the net consumers of energy (electricity) and other life-supporting services, as a result they require proper planning and coordination to ensure the resilience and energy security of urban areas. South African Cities, have consistently been experiencing energy shortages through rolling blackouts that date back to 2008.The study aims to develop a holistic framework that informs appropriate innovations that enable the achievement of energy security at City Power in the City of Johannesburg. The work adopted a mixed methods approach that uses both quantitative and qualitative data. Specifically, data was collected through interviews, surveys and observations; reviews of published journals, journals reports and government policy documents. Descriptive statistics, content analysis, narrative analysis, and discourse analysis were used to sieve information from the data. The research findings reveal that residents of the City of Johannesburg are only able to access electricity for an average between 7-12 hours in a day due to energy shortages. The city of Johannesburg is experiencing vulnerability of energy systems in the form of energy blackouts as the result of energy power cuts at the City of Johannesburg. The work posits that, through an energy planning model, the City of Johannesburg, through its power utility City Power could plan for the mitigation of energy black outs through implementation of microgrid planning. Consequently, the study recommends that the City of Johannesburg follows the existing legal frameworks and other planning laws that are available to develop spatial plans for infrastructure development for renewable energy within its area of jurisdiction. The framework for sustainable energy (electricity) security in the City is developed by combining technological innovations with spatial planning.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	energy security, energy planning, spatial planning, cities, urban growth
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management T Technology > T Technology (General)
Depositing User:	REAL CORP Administrator
Date Deposited:	25 Apr 2024 19:18
Last Modified:	27 May 2024 07:35
URI:	http://repository.corp.at/id/eprint/1084

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