All rooms in the building are equipped with motion occupancy lux level adjustable sensors with 3 W LED’s in areas that are close to natural light, and 5W LEDs in areas that are away from natural light, and 7 W LED’s at specific task areas. Desk lamps with LED’s provide task lighting when staff need it during overcast days if the overhead lighting is not sufficient for their personal preference. External lighting is 27 W per light to ensure sufficient lux levels for security purposes with daylight switching fitted. The parking area is fitted with solar powered lights to provide entry and exit lighting into the parking area.

With the Chromadek white roof, reflecting sunlight minimizing heat transfer into the building, it also provides a cool surface for optimal performance of the solar panels. The exterior of the building used durable and washable paint in white, to assist with keeping the building cool.

The roof trusses removed from the original roof have been reused to build the solar training structures at the back of the facility.

We are proudly solar powered, with just six panels meeting the current energy demands of the training centre supported with two Victron energy inverters and two 5kW Freedom Won batteries banks ensure reliable energy storage for extended periods of power outages keeping the facility running without internet or power interruptions.

Our ROI of the system due to it being sponsored is estimated to be at 5 years, however, a bigger benefit to us is the energy security so that we can provide uninterrupted services and we use paid working time efficiently.

We’ve got smart plugs in place for consumption monitoring and demand control, with a CBI Energy control system that must be commissioned so that demand control can be applied to protect our own generation and provide us with useful information to continuously manage our energy use efficiently.

While the current geyser is disconnected we do have plans for a future solar thermal hot water system which we plan to use for training purposes as well.

For cooling, we use two 25 W fans, one in the training room and one in the kitchen, during extreme weather conditions. Staff have 5 W desk fans for their own personal cooling when required. For colder days, one three-bar gas heater heats the 350m2 space on 2 bars to provide a comfortable space. For staff individual temperature control during extreme cold spells, as well as for trainees, we provide pure wool blankets purchased from various African countries we operate in.

To assist with blocking sunlight in the operations office and training room we’ve installed blocking blinds that remain see-through but reflect heat out of the office and reduce glare from the bright sun during the day when required.

The training room holds up to 22 delegates and has an interactive white board with Zoom Room capacity for hybrid training. The training room is multi-purpose and can be extended for functions to include the dining area.

Due to the softness of the sand in the region, the building required underpinned foundations which needed the use of a lot of cement. Sections of the building that were broken down, and walls that fell over, as well as all other rubble, were used to supplement the cement requirements for the foundation. We managed to reduce using removal services of building rubble by closing the pool area and compacting the rubble therein. The surrounding pool paving was carefully removed and re-used in the patios to form square blocks between the cement patio finishes.

A lot of the removed windows, security doors, roof sheets, and fencing were resold and the monies used to celebrate milestones achieved during the building phases by having braais with soft drinks on the odd occasion – this uplifted the morale of the workers and staff that managed the project on site.

Project management & contractors

All contractors had to be scrutinized and trained in energy efficiency and water efficiency, and not all systems are yet accurately achieved. Continuous training of suppliers and contractors is still required by the IEPA staff and their subject matter experts when work is completed on site. This has developed relationships where we were able to secure products and services at contractor prices, in some instances at cost prices, and with some goods donated.

The project was managed by IEPA’s staff members, with guidance from their trainers, and implementation was often done by the staff themselves who installed the electrical reticulation system with the electrical contractor which included the energy-efficient lighting design and installation, trenching and chasing for cable and conduit installation, installing sensors, painting, installing floors, mixing concrete, roof removal and new roof installation assistance, built the solar training structures’ solar system and managed decisions on reusing, reselling, contractor payments, purchasing and specification of goods and services as well as managing RFQs.

This project has been a dream realized, marking the beginning of our journey toward creating a fully equipped center with three classrooms and a dedicated workshop space. Here, participants will not only learn but also experience firsthand demonstrations of energy systems and energy auditing tools, in addition to the sustainable features already integrated into the building. To further enhance functionality, we plan to add additional ablution facilities and offices, creating a clear distinction between the assessment center and the training center. The next phase is already underway, focusing on completing the second classroom, which will eventually be transformed into the workshop area.

Our commitment to energy efficiency

At IEPA, we don’t just teach energy efficiency—we live it. Every decision in this renovation was made with sustainability in mind, creating a functional and environmentally responsible space.

We invite you to visit us at 123 Pretoria Rd, Rynfield, Benoni, and feel what energy efficiency feels like. Together, we can lead the world toward a sustainable energy future.