Sarda to minimise costs by harnessing green energy
Sarda facility manager Giacomo Pinna listed the benefits of implementing biogas in their daily functions.
Concerns about covering the running costs of the South African Riding for the Disabled (Sarda) facility at the Earth Centre could soon be something of the past as the centre will be investing in green energy in the form of a biodigester to reduce costs.
David Mahuma, one of the role-players and representative of the South African National Energy Development Institute, explained the concept of biodigestion. “Basically it entails using waste, whether it is animal, food or plant waste, to produce energy in the form of biogas. So we reduce the waste that would have landed up in landfills and extract energy from it. Another byproduct is odour-free nutrient-rich fertilizer,” Mahuma explained.
The project was supported by the University of South Africa and its research students; the Department of Energy; and Exxaro Resources, a mining business, which is the main funder of the programme.
Exxaro representative Abel Sakhau highlighted the importance of reaching out by engaging in community research projects. “For us, it is about making sure that we can support research that works for our communities,“ he said. The company supports Unisa’s research aimed at enhancing communities, “… especially for a centre like this that assists disabled children, as the impact is much greater,” said Sakhau.
Unisa Professor Diane Hildebrandt echoed this and added that this type technology is not only cost-effective but also reduces greenhouse gases and global warming.
Sarda facilities manager Giacomo Pinna listed the benefits of having a biodigester. “Firstly it is going to reduce our running costs because the gas that is produced can be used for whatever we want, such as for lighting, heating water and cooking,” he said. He added that they will be able to sell the fertilizers like they do with the compost they produce.
Pinna also mentioned that this technology would create the needed exposure in the community and would enable Sarda to start an education programme with the schools that visit the facility.
Lastly, he thanked Monash South Africa that owns the land on which Sarda operates, for giving them the go-ahead to run this project.
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