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ENERGY
in all its forms is one of the
most discussed, debated and published subjects in the world today. Here
are a few comments, statements, opinions expressed during the past two
months by various industry stakeholders and role players
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A note from the KZN
Department of Transport warned truck owners they would be fined R1 000
if their vehicles ran out of fuel on the N3 and caused traffic delays.
In addition, the NRTA allows vehicles to be towed away at the expense
of the operator. The decision follows a number of instances of artics
running dry up long gradients due to endeavours to economise on fuel
usage and counter fuel theft. Road traffic inspectors are on the scene
for all “breakdowns” and other incidents that impinge on traffic
flows.
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Petro SA says its new
refinery to be built in Coega will process diesel fit for Euro 4 and
Euro 5 technology. The plan, as reported by Creamer Media, says fuel
for Euro 4 is to be available by 2012 (see article further on about
future fuels)
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Toyota SA is pushing for
the introduction of cleaner fuels by 2012 and urges that work to
upgrade refineries begins soon.
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Global diesel emission
regulations at a glance are available on the Emission Data Center
website www.dieselprogress.com.
Note how far advanced China, India, Brazil and Japan are compared with
South Africa who has not yet determined what is needed for local
conditions.
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Scania has announced the
first Ethanol powered truck. The engine is a modified version of
Scania’s 9-litre diesel engine using the EGR system producing 270 hp
with 1 200Nm of torque.
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Prof Alan McKinnon at
the Heriot-Watt University says operators should not rely on biofuels
to provide an economic environment solution any time soon. This
pessimistic government commissioned report casts doubt on the
environmental credentials of biofuels – see Reed Business
Information‘s Commercial Motor website.
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Saudi oil minister, Ali
Naimi says at US$75 a barrel, Saudi Arabia will support the
development of alternative energy to complement fossil fuel. Naimi
says $75 a barrel allows oil producing countries to make a reasonable
profit while not harming the development of world economies,
especially developing countries. See www.ft.com/globaleconomy
for full report.
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On a lighter note. The
Witwatersrand University has determined that the average South African
walks 1 200 kilometres a year. The SA Medical Association says the
average South African consumes 100 litres of alcohol a year. From this
we deduct on average we drink 12 litres/100 km!
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