Model Run: Control - Current Climate (Observed/current climate as modelled by climate model). The Self-Organizing Map Downscaling (SOMD) was developed at the Climate Systems Analysis Group (CSAG)[1], University of Cape Town. This is a leading empirical downscaled technique and provides meteorological station level response to global climate change forcing (See Hewitson and Crane (2006) for methodological details and Wilby et al. (2004) for a review of this and other statistical downscaling methodologies). Downscaling of a...

Model Run: Control - Current Climate (Observed/current climate as modelled by climate model). The Self-Organizing Map Downscaling (SOMD) was developed at the Climate Systems Analysis Group (CSAG)[1], University of Cape Town. This is a leading empirical downscaled technique and provides meteorological station level response to global climate change forcing (See Hewitson and Crane (2006) for methodological details and Wilby et al. (2004) for a review of this and other statistical downscaling methodologies). Downscaling of a...

Daily values of vapour pressure deficit (VPD) are, however, required far more frequently, particularly when modelling crop potential evaporation using the Penman- Monteith equation (Penman, 1948). In this section a method used to estimate VPD is outlined, the method is verified and then maps and statistics of VPD are presented. The hypothesis in estimating daily values of VPD at any specified location in South Africa is that actual VP, actual vapour pressure, which is considered...

Daily values of vapour pressure deficit (VPD) are, however, required far more frequently, particularly when modelling crop potential evaporation using the Penman- Monteith equation (Penman, 1948). In this section a method used to estimate VPD is outlined, the method is verified and then maps and statistics of VPD are presented. The hypothesis in estimating daily values of VPD at any specified location in South Africa is that actual VP, actual vapour pressure, which is considered...

This data set contains Maize, Zea mays L. in South Africa and is the country`s most important field and grain crop. Objectives of the study was to simulate maize yields, and their inter-annual, at a spatial resolution of Quaternary Catchments for 12 different combinations of three plant dates, viz. 15 October, 15 November and 15 December. This was done to evaluate which hybrid lengths and plant dates give the highest yields irrespective of plant dates...

This data set contains Stormflow in South Africa (SA). Stormflow is defined as the water which is generated from a specific rainfall event, either at or near the surface in a catchment. Important statistics on stormflows include annual means, inter-annual variabilities, and magnitudes in wet and dry years and the number of stormflow events per annum exceeding critical thresholds. Distribution patterns over SA show that the highest mean annual stormflows, in excess of 100 mm...

This dataset contains the soil water stress in South Africa. The importance of soil water content in agricultural applications is vital since the need to irrigate occurs when the actual soil water content is less than the critical soil water content at which plant stress commences. The objective of soil water stress mapping was to determine, for each Quaternary Catchment (QC) with its unique rainfall, temperature and potential evaporation climate, the number of days per...

Data was derived from the following sources: Eskom commissioned a study from CRSES to evaluate, inter alia, availability of excess bagasse at sugar mills after current internal energy needs have been addressed. This data has been provided to the BioEnergy Atlas by Eskom. For planning purposes, the data was assigned to meso-zones (planning units for the BioEnergy Atlas)

Model Run: Far future (2080 - 2100) (Far future (2080 - 2100)). The Self-Organizing Map Downscaling (SOMD) was developed at the Climate Systems Analysis Group (CSAG)[1], University of Cape Town. This is a leading empirical downscaled technique and provides meteorological station level response to global climate change forcing (See Hewitson and Crane (2006) for methodological details and Wilby et al. (2004) for a review of this and other statistical downscaling methodologies). Downscaling of a General...

Annual total rainfall (mm per year) change from the 10% percentile projected for 2036-2065, relative to present (1976 - 2005), under the RCP 4.5 pathway for the southern African region. To generate the image, nine coarse General Circulation Models (GCM) are downscaled to a finer spatial resolution (0.44°x 0.44°) using the Rossby Centre regional model (RCA4) forcing its lateral boundaries. The model simulated daily rainfall averages, which are used to generate projections of annual change....

Annual total rainfall (mm per year) change from the 90% percentile projected for 2066-2095, relative to present (1976 - 2005), under the RCP 4.5 pathway for the southern African region. To generate the image, nine coarse General Circulation Models (GCM) are downscaled to a finer spatial resolution (0.44°x 0.44°) using the Rossby Centre regional model (RCA4) forcing its lateral boundaries. The model simulated daily rainfall averages, which are used to generate projections of annual change....

Annual total rainfall (mm per year) change from the 10% percentile projected for 2066-2095, relative to present (1976 - 2005), under the RCP 4.5 pathway for the southern African region. To generate the image, nine coarse General Circulation Models (GCM) are downscaled to a finer spatial resolution (0.44°x 0.44°) using the Rossby Centre regional model (RCA4) forcing its lateral boundaries. The model simulated daily rainfall averages, which are used to generate projections of annual change....

Seasonal (MAM) mean near-surface (2m) temperature (°C) change from the median projected for 2036-2065, relative to present (1976 - 2005), under the RCP 4.5 pathway for the southern African region. To generate the image, nine coarse General Circulation Models (GCM) are downscaled to a finer spatial resolution (0.44°x 0.44°) using the Rossby Centre regional model (RCA4) forcing its lateral boundaries. The model simulated daily temperature averages, which are used to generate projections of seasonal change....

Seasonal (MAM) mean near-surface (2m) temperature (°C) change from the 10% percentile projected for 2036-2065, relative to present (1976 - 2005), under the RCP 4.5 pathway for the southern African region. To generate the image, nine coarse General Circulation Models (GCM) are downscaled to a finer spatial resolution (0.44°x 0.44°) using the Rossby Centre regional model (RCA4) forcing its lateral boundaries. The model simulated daily temperature averages, which are used to generate projections of seasonal...

Root Mean Square Difference for seasonal (MAM) mean near-surface (2m) temperature (°C) change from the median projected for 2066-2095, relative to present (1976 - 2005), under the RCP 4.5 pathway for the southern African region. To generate the image, nine coarse General Circulation Models (GCM) are downscaled to a finer spatial resolution (0.44°x 0.44°) using the Rossby Centre regional model (RCA4) forcing its lateral boundaries. The model simulated daily temperature averages, which are used to...

Seasonal (JJA) mean near-surface (2m) temperature (°C) change from the 90% percentile projected for 2036-2065, relative to present (1976 - 2005), under the RCP 4.5 pathway for the southern African region. To generate the image, nine coarse General Circulation Models (GCM) are downscaled to a finer spatial resolution (0.44°x 0.44°) using the Rossby Centre regional model (RCA4) forcing its lateral boundaries. The model simulated daily temperature averages, which are used to generate projections of seasonal...

Eskom provided the BioEnergy Atlas with a set of data to describe their current and planned infrastructure: * High voltage transmission lines and substations; * Medium voltage distribution lines and substations; * Planned new transmission lines; * Planned new substations. All of these were aggregated to meso-zones (planning and analysis zones used for the Atlas) in the following way: * Distribution and transmission lines: presence or absence of lines; * Substations: count of medium voltage...

*Data shows sorghum yield estimates allocated to mesozones. Yield estimates were derived from Schulze R.E. and Maharaj M. (2007) and then allocated to mesozones by combining with a base mesozone layer obtained from the CSIR Geospatial Analysis Platform (GAP). *Sorghum is indigenous to Africa. In comparison with maize, it is grown in relatively warm areas. *Using Smith`s (1998) climatic criteria, yields of sorghum are estimated using the effective rainfall for October to March and heat...

* The dataset shows climatically optimum growth areas and yield estimates of Pinus elliottii. Large tracts along the coastal and inland areas of the north-eastern Eastern Cape Province and KwaZulu-Natal, as well as significant parts of Mpumalanga, are shown to be climatically suitable for Pinus elliottii production. * Yields, expressed as Mean Annual Increments, are < 14 t/ha/annum in the western and 18 -20 t/ha/annum along the eastern fringes of its growth area, with highest...

*The data shows maize yield estimates allocated to mesozones. Yield estimates were derived from Schulze R.E. and Walker N.J. (2007) and then allocated to mesozones by combining with a base mesozone layer obtained from the CSIR Geospatial Analysis Platform (GAP). *This dataset contains Maize, Zea mays L. in South Africa and is the country`s most important field and grain crop. Objectives of the study was to simulate maize yields, and their inter-annual, at a spatial...

* The dataset shows estimates of the total population living in poverty. The data was allocated to mesozones by combining with a base mesozone layer. The estimate is a sum of income levels below the upper bound poverty line. In a report by Stats SA in which poverty trends between 2006 and 2011 are examined it is stated that: * Approximately a third (32,9%) of all households in South Africa were living below the upper...

* Technical Challenges - ESKOM may have some risks associated with introduction of co-firing at power stations, and may elect to do so only at selected sites. The most feasible location is in Mpumalanga Highveld, but the availability of biomass is somewhat dependent on maize residues which may be highly variable. Western Cape option may not be feasible since power stations have been decommissioned. * Cost Challenges - Costs are acceptable comparable to current electricity...

* Technical Challenges - Existing expertise and infrastructure in respect of `Working for Water` programmes in respect of harvesting and eradication, projects required for conversion to electricity. It may be simpler and less risky to generate new sources of renewable electricity rather than converting existing power stations to co-firing. * Cost Challenges - There may be as many as 40 viable projects, all having a 20-year lifetime - with significant capital investment required. * Policy...

* Technical Challenges - Technology is relatively simple and has high conversion efficiency. * Cost Challenges - Despite efficiency, levelised costs are high, due to mainly 2 factors (1) the input cost of raw material is high, and (2) operating costs are high due to feedstock (methanol) and distillation operations. Selling oilcake has a significant effect on final product cost, with a 50% oilcake internal subsidy reducing the costs by R 6,500/ t (0.65 R/kWh)....

* Technical Challenges - Rapid development of the feedstock source will be required, since the ethanol content of fuel cannot be increased incrementally. In the lead-up to full production at a facility, the sugar may be processed through traditional channels. * Cost Challenges - None of the projects are feasible; producing ethanol within the cost range of petrol in the recent past is only possible through subsidisation of the sugar input costs. Capital costs are...