Water resource infrastructure implications of a green economy transition in the Western Cape Province of South Africa : a system dynamics approach

Date
2017-08
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRCT: The Western Cape Province government in South Africa has established the transition to a green economy as a high priority. The sustainable use of water resources has been identified as a critical necessity for such a green economy transition. The research summarised in this paper conceptualised the factors that relate to water resources, and that influence the transition to a green economy in the Western Cape Province. Subsequently, a system dynamics model was developed to evaluate the impact of key strategic interventions of the green economy transition. The results from the model show that the Province could possibly experience extreme water shortages in the near future if a business-as-usual scenario continues. However, with sufficient investment and effective management, the water demand of the Province can be met.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale regering in Suid-Afrika het die oorgang na ’n groen ekonomie as ’n hoë prioriteit gestel. Die volhoubare gebruik van waterbronne is geïdentifiseer as ’n noodsaaklikheid vir so ’n groen ekonomie oorgang. Hierdie navorsing som die faktore wat verband hou met waterbronne, en wat die oorgang na ’n groen ekonomie in die Wes-Kaap Provinsie kan beïnvloed op. Daarna is ’n stelsel dinamika model ontwikkel om die impak van die belangrikste strategiese ingrypings van die groen ekonomie oorgang te evalueer. Die resultate van die model toon dat die provinsie moontlik uiterste watertekorte in die nabye toekoms as ervaar indien die huidige gebruiklike scenario voortduur. Maar met voldoende investering en doeltreffende bestuur, kan die vraag n water in die Provinsie bevredig word.
Description
CITATION: Pienaar, A., et al. 2017. Water resource infrastructure implications of a green economy transition in the Western Cape Province of South Africa : a system dynamics approach. South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 28(2):78-94, doi:10.7166/28-2-1639.
The original publication is available at http://sajie.journals.ac.za
Keywords
Clean energy -- Economic aspects, Renewable energy sources, Hydraulic power plants, Water-supply
Citation
Pienaar, A., et al. 2017. Water resource infrastructure implications of a green economy transition in the Western Cape Province of South Africa : a system dynamics approach. South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 28(2):78-94, doi:10.7166/28-2-1639