Solar Power, Thailand & Soccer in Mozambique

It appears that Morningside maybe raiding us on Wednesday. Don't open fire until you see the whites of their eyes!

Our Guest speaker this week is Dylan Tudor-Jones.

After matriculating from Parktown Boys High School, Dylan started his carrier working under his late father, with an apprenticeship in the solar heat factory from 1994 – 1996. His core activities entailed the manufacture and assembly of flat plate solar collectors. He then progressed to installation work and by 1999 was assisting in project co-ordination, management and commercial solar water heating system design.

Dylan left the country at this point to spend time traveling in Europe and Asia and also worked in London to gain international experience in large scale hot water reticulation systems and space heating applications.

In 2001, he returned to SA and took over solar heat as Managing Member.

Dylan has co-authored the solar water heating sub-section of the SA Plumbers Handbook. His passion for renewable energy, sustainable living and energy efficiency has led to Dylan being invited to speak at various events, some of which include;

• Sustainability in the Built Environment - Architectural Course in Pretoria
• Economic and Environmental Benefits of Solar Water Heating - Architectural Students
• Domestic Use of Energy Conference – Co Author of a paper on solar water heating
• Sustainability Development Conference for Chamber of Mines – Mining industry
• Energy Efficiency Road Show – Mining Industry
• Various Breakfast Presentations – Eco Forum & Interior Decorators
• Intro to Solar Water Heating for Plumbers – Interbuild Expo
• South African Energy Efficiency Conference – Co Author of a paper on ‘Guaranteed Solar Results’
• Mineral & Energy Education & Training Institute – Regular speaker on Solar Water Heating
• World Trade Organization (Geneva) – Reducing trade barriers for renewable energy products
• ISES Solar World Congress 2009 – Presented a paper on the business case for ‘fee for service’ commercial solar water heating contracts in SA

Dylan is a member of the SABS technical committee working on the various solar water heating related standards. He was invited to advise on technical issues for the Eskom solar water heating advisory board prior to the launch of the Eskom SWH Rebate Programme, he consults regularly with the Eskom SWH feasibility study group and has been invited to represent the SWH industry as part of the NERT SWH task team.

Last week we had a double bill. Christopher Thompson, Chairman of the District New Generations Committee, brought Apicha Lertphorncharoen, an exchange student from Thailand as part of his promotion of Student Exchange. Apicha said he was known as Charlie! An entertaining young man. We hung our banner on one of the many things stuck to his blazer!

And then a presentation by the University Sports Dept on their Soccer Project in Mozambique by Sampah & Neave. How they have literally helped build a community in the middle of nowhere.

Walter Finlayson is the Projects Director of our twin club, the Rotary Club of Paarl. They are having their annual Wine Auction in September and we will be part of it. It means that working together we will be able to not only raise funds for our own club but also assist them in raising more than they would usually.

I have added their website to our list of links.

Don't forget to let Mike Vink know numbers for your attendance at the Social Function with the North India GSE Team Tuesday 2nd March at 7,00pm.