Southern Africa Conference Presentations 2017

Please click on an abstract of your choice to access the relevant downloadable papers. Please note, you will need to be logged in as member in order to access the proceeding abstracts.

Sustainable Energy, Solar Panels

Author: Brian van Rensburg - eLEK

PV Solar generated electricity has become an integral of todays society, and is firmly accepted as a sustainable environmentally friendly source of energy. The presentation strives to bring more clarity, in layman terms, to the composition and function of the different components in a PV system, with the focus on commercial viability.
Sustainable Irrigation in the Nursery Industry

Author: Hein van Graan - Netafim

Sustainable irrigation practices. Discussion of a practical example.
Herbicide Resistance: Causes, Consequences and Mitigation

Author: Prof Carlie Reinhardt

Herbicide resistance
Sustainable Production Processes

Author: Yolandi le Roux - Pico Gro

Discussion of the growing program project. Gathering production information on various crops and use it to enable sustainable growth.
Advantages of Variable Speed Drives

Author: Christo du Plessis - Zezt WEG Electrical

By controlling the speed of the rotating magnetic field in an Electric Motor a system can be optimised. Historically required flow rates in systems where achieved by on/off control or mechanical devises such as dampers, valves, guide vanes etc. With ͞pulse width modulation͟ through Variable Speed Drive technology the rotating magnetic field with-in an Electric Motor can accurately control the speed of the fan or pump. The presentation will touch on the principals of an Electrical Motor, insight to the basics of VSD technology and the added benefits to the system when this additional Control is made available.
Flower Morphology and Pollinators: Pollination Systems

Author: Robert L. Geneve

Flower morphology and diversity as it relates to pollination. Part 1: Pollination systems.
Flower Morphology and Pollinators: Pollination Adaptations. Part 1

Author: Robert L. Geneve

Flower morphology and diversity as it relates to pollination. Pollination adaptations part 1
Flower Morphology and Pollinators: Pollination Adaptations. Part 2

Author: Robert L. Geneve

Flower morphology and diversity as it relates to pollination. Pollination adaptations part 2
Flower Morphology and Pollinators: Deceit Pollination.

Author: Robert L. Geneve

Flower morphology and diversity as it relates to pollination. Pollination
Impact of seed technology on seed germination

Author: Robert L. Geneve

Seed technology involves aspects of seed production that measures or enhances seed quality. Seed lot quality is often described by its standard germination percentage. However, a more important aspect predicting seedling emergence is seed vigor.
Sustainable Heating Methods

Author: Mike Smith - Renee Energy Solutions

Presentation of the outcomes of a pilot heating project which includes energy delivery from solar thermal collectors and a wood-pellet biomass boiler. The project, installed at Sappi's Shaw Research Centre, aims to provide proof of concept for the delivery of alternative energy for root zone heating - fully automated and combined with bulk buffer-storage. The project has been successful and is proving to be substantially more cost effective than an Eskom electricity alternative