Tag: South Africa

Camera Fail – An Epic Disaster or a Blessing in Disguise?!
Africa, For Fun, Travel

Camera Fail – An Epic Disaster or a Blessing in Disguise?!


We’ve all been there. On a trip of a lifetime having the time of our lives, and then it happens… our camera breaks! What now?! Life gets put on hold instantly, as Plans B, C, D… Z are sorted & assessed to get that camera, any camera, working again as fast as possible. Here’s one of those stories, and how “what was feared” turned into something much richer gained while I was in South Africa, far from “home”, far from anywhere. Enjoy! Continue reading Camera Fail – An Epic Disaster or a Blessing in Disguise?!

Thoughts on Not Acknowledging The Elephants in The Room
Energy, Global Trends

Thoughts on Not Acknowledging The Elephants in The Room


This post originates from discussions currently under way for this year’s 8th annual Energy Africa Conference here in Colorado. This will be my 3rd year attending, and I feel very honored to join the organizational committee for this year’s conference.

The topic we are trying to address, “What are the barriers to [US] investment and partnerships in Africa?” To which we have all agreed there is a topic needing discussion, but it has been passed up in years prior, because it is as they say, “controversial.”

Gentlemen, yes I agree in premise about not wanting to incite any ill-will amongst attendees and understand this is a delicate topic, but The Elephants are in the room and few want to broach what everyone recognizes anyways – that The Elephants ARE in the room.

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Southern Africa Energy – Advancing Forward or Stumbling Back?
Energy, Global Trends

Southern Africa Energy – Advancing Forward or Stumbling Back?


Within the context of South African energy development, and less so within the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), I often find myself being misunderstood as to the role coal plays within the energy economy.

I recognize, on the surface, many observers and colleagues alike, may gather an impression I am advocating for the unequivocal closure of all coal assets and the direct economies they support. Nothing could be further from the truth, and although my knowledge and experiences tell me, coal’s impacts on the global climate are negative, with dire human and economic consequences, I have long since passed the days of being an ‘environmental crusader’, motivated by heart, not facts and reality.

Ending all coal fired electric generation tomorrow, if this was my position, would be pushing for the closure of currently operational power stations and ceasing the capital flow of hemorrhaging new builds under construction, struggling to meet project deadlines and cost projections. My pragmatism steers me clear of any designs that risk a near certain economic collapse regardless some “ideal energy world” I may dream up.

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About Me – A Global Energy Experience
Career Advancement, Energy, Global Trends

About Me – A Global Energy Experience


I’m Hans. Born, raised & educated in upstate NY, USA. After university (Bachelor’s degree in engineering & sciences), I moved to California and worked with several of the largest electric utilities;(PG&E, SDG&E and SPPC/Nevada Power) in the country. Not as an electrician or engineer, but rather within their USD $100m/yr, or more, vegetation management programs; learning and patrolling 1000s of miles of overhead power lines, experiencing generation schemes and customer needs first hand.

Outside training my fellow foresters, I broke new ground and developed protocols for system-wide implementation based on the simple concept of bringing all interested parties together and forging mutually beneficial agreements for all. They worked, very well. After I left, I was asked back on several occasions to assist during critical program milestones.

Shortlink… http://wp.me/pfF9G-Dlo

After chasing personal interests throughout the American West, living in Colorado, I settled in Oregon, building a residential tree pruning/removal start-up as a financial backstop to pursuing a nursing degree. I loved biology and chemistry, thrive under the demands of making life & death decisions quickly, and wanted to travel the world as a nurse in an ER/ICU capacity.

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