Mike Barker 🇿🇦
@local-energy.bsky.social
Energy Engineer 🇿🇦
IEEE-PES.org , CIBSE, SAIEE.org.za, IBPSA.org
www.linkedin.com/in/mikebarker/
IEEE-PES.org , CIBSE, SAIEE.org.za, IBPSA.org
www.linkedin.com/in/mikebarker/
Reposted by Mike Barker 🇿🇦
A recent study in IEEE Access introduces an enhanced Vision Transformer architecture redefining #FacialExpressionRecognition — advancing tech for mental health, #HCI, and more. @ieeeaccess.bsky.social
🔗 https://loom.ly/hR42ckg
#IEEE #IEEEXplore #IEEEAccess
🔗 https://loom.ly/hR42ckg
#IEEE #IEEEXplore #IEEEAccess
September 16, 2025 at 3:30 PM
A recent study in IEEE Access introduces an enhanced Vision Transformer architecture redefining #FacialExpressionRecognition — advancing tech for mental health, #HCI, and more. @ieeeaccess.bsky.social
🔗 https://loom.ly/hR42ckg
#IEEE #IEEEXplore #IEEEAccess
🔗 https://loom.ly/hR42ckg
#IEEE #IEEEXplore #IEEEAccess
Reposted by Mike Barker 🇿🇦
Now that the #IPCCAR7 authors have been announced I have been updating my lists.
Working Group III will have 15 Chapters & 222 authors. Those who have Bluesky accounts are now all on this list, which you can follow to keep up with their work and current research.
Working Group II list to follow.
Working Group III will have 15 Chapters & 222 authors. Those who have Bluesky accounts are now all on this list, which you can follow to keep up with their work and current research.
Working Group II list to follow.
August 19, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Now that the #IPCCAR7 authors have been announced I have been updating my lists.
Working Group III will have 15 Chapters & 222 authors. Those who have Bluesky accounts are now all on this list, which you can follow to keep up with their work and current research.
Working Group II list to follow.
Working Group III will have 15 Chapters & 222 authors. Those who have Bluesky accounts are now all on this list, which you can follow to keep up with their work and current research.
Working Group II list to follow.
Reposted by Mike Barker 🇿🇦
In the male-dominated world of farming, Amoré Viljoen stands out. She’s the skilled producer guiding a community-owned farm toward financial success. Under her leadership, Lakeview Farm has gone from overgrown orchards to top-ranked yields.
Force of nature: Amoré Viljoen revives black-owned fruit farm
In the male-dominated world of farming, Amoré Viljoen stands out. She’s the skilled producer guiding a community-owned farm toward financial success. Under her leadership, Lakeview Farm has gone from overgrown orchards to top-ranked yields. Her philosophy is simple: with the right management and a little heart, anything is possible.
www.foodformzansi.co.za
August 18, 2025 at 9:00 AM
In the male-dominated world of farming, Amoré Viljoen stands out. She’s the skilled producer guiding a community-owned farm toward financial success. Under her leadership, Lakeview Farm has gone from overgrown orchards to top-ranked yields.
It's time our young go-getters help their communities run their own #StokvelMicroGrids !
July 3, 2025 at 11:48 AM
It's time our young go-getters help their communities run their own #StokvelMicroGrids !
... and it's only the beginning for lekker local homemade #GreenElectroncs😀
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...
SA has barely scratched surface of its rooftop solar potential
Johannesburg alone has enough rooftop space to power the entire country through midwinter without coal. So why have installations slowed?
www.dailymaverick.co.za
July 2, 2025 at 5:53 AM
... and it's only the beginning for lekker local homemade #GreenElectroncs😀
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...
War, huh yeah
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
( say it again )
- Edwin Starr, from 1969
youtu.be/01-2pNCZiNk?...
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
( say it again )
- Edwin Starr, from 1969
youtu.be/01-2pNCZiNk?...
Edwin Starr - War (Original Video - 1969)
YouTube video by Stream Crops
youtu.be
June 22, 2025 at 7:30 AM
War, huh yeah
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
( say it again )
- Edwin Starr, from 1969
youtu.be/01-2pNCZiNk?...
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
( say it again )
- Edwin Starr, from 1969
youtu.be/01-2pNCZiNk?...
Reposted by Mike Barker 🇿🇦
Protea flower grower Nico Thuynsma cultivates the blooms north of Johannesburg, 1 500km from their natural home at the southern tip of Africa.
South Africa's iconic King Protea heads north as climate warms
Protea flower grower Nico Thuynsma cultivates the blooms north of Johannesburg, 1 500km from their natural home at the southern tip of Africa
www.thesouthafrican.com
June 19, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Protea flower grower Nico Thuynsma cultivates the blooms north of Johannesburg, 1 500km from their natural home at the southern tip of Africa.
"projected maize losses in Sub-Saharan Africa are largest in the most productive and climatically moderate countries"
𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Impacts of climate change on global agriculture accounting for adaptation - Nature
Analysis of data on six stable crops, capturing two-thirds of global crop calories, allows estimation of agricultural impacts and the potential of global producer adaptations to reduce outpu...
www.nature.com
June 19, 2025 at 8:48 AM
"projected maize losses in Sub-Saharan Africa are largest in the most productive and climatically moderate countries"
𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
" The vast majority of rate increases comes from the dramatic overbuilding of Distribution grids. Most are built to old norms to meet peak demand for 50 hours a year. Using Virtual Power Plants, batteries, grid enhancing technologies are 90% cheaper " they say for the USA. And for RSA ?
June 18, 2025 at 4:20 AM
" The vast majority of rate increases comes from the dramatic overbuilding of Distribution grids. Most are built to old norms to meet peak demand for 50 hours a year. Using Virtual Power Plants, batteries, grid enhancing technologies are 90% cheaper " they say for the USA. And for RSA ?
Reposted by Mike Barker 🇿🇦
Precisely. #SouthAfrica
What is #ESKOM playing at ? It's our Grid and we will decide on how it is used. ESKOM are there to manage it according to the will of us, the 60million South Africans
www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/unce...
www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/unce...
Uncertainty arises about electricity traders’ access to virtual wheeling over Eskom’s network
The indication by State-owned utility Eskom that virtual wheeling is not yet available to licensed electricity traders is “surprising and disappointing”, EE Business Intelligence MD Chris Yelland tell...
www.engineeringnews.co.za
June 9, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Precisely. #SouthAfrica
What is #ESKOM playing at ? It's our Grid and we will decide on how it is used. ESKOM are there to manage it according to the will of us, the 60million South Africans
www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/unce...
www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/unce...
Uncertainty arises about electricity traders’ access to virtual wheeling over Eskom’s network
The indication by State-owned utility Eskom that virtual wheeling is not yet available to licensed electricity traders is “surprising and disappointing”, EE Business Intelligence MD Chris Yelland tell...
www.engineeringnews.co.za
June 9, 2025 at 8:27 AM
What is #ESKOM playing at ? It's our Grid and we will decide on how it is used. ESKOM are there to manage it according to the will of us, the 60million South Africans
www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/unce...
www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/unce...
Pakistan borrowed heavily & over-invested in coal & gas generation capacity, and is now facing a "utility death spiral" as distributed solar & batteries are going gangbusters. Now, it's trying to sell spare thermal capacity to AI & crypto data centres.
www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/paki...
www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/paki...
Pakistan redirects 2GW to Bitcoin mining and AI data centers
Country aims to use surplus power to kickstart digital infrastructure boom
www.datacenterdynamics.com
June 9, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Reposted by Mike Barker 🇿🇦
To an extent, the piece aligns with an income poverty matter we raised here: wandilesihlobo.com/2025/05/09/f...
Food insecurity in South Africa
South Africa has some contradictions. We are a leading agricultural exporter in Africa, yet many households are food insecure. Without proper policy engagement on this challenge, the sector risks more...
wandilesihlobo.com
June 9, 2025 at 5:43 AM
To an extent, the piece aligns with an income poverty matter we raised here: wandilesihlobo.com/2025/05/09/f...
Reposted by Mike Barker 🇿🇦
The price war engulfing China’s EV industry has sent share prices tumbling. The shakeout may just be getting started.
EV bloodbath in China - TechCentral
The price war engulfing China’s EV industry has sent share prices tumbling. The shakeout may just be getting started.
techcentral.co.za
June 9, 2025 at 5:56 AM
The price war engulfing China’s EV industry has sent share prices tumbling. The shakeout may just be getting started.
Why should the 60million South Africans be competition ? The Electrical Grid belongs to us, and we trust #ESKOM to run it fairly and properly on our behalf.
- @ESKOM, please correct this asap🙂
( We are all good grid citizens & we all seek beneficial coexistence with our grid )
- @ESKOM, please correct this asap🙂
( We are all good grid citizens & we all seek beneficial coexistence with our grid )
June 3, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Why should the 60million South Africans be competition ? The Electrical Grid belongs to us, and we trust #ESKOM to run it fairly and properly on our behalf.
- @ESKOM, please correct this asap🙂
( We are all good grid citizens & we all seek beneficial coexistence with our grid )
- @ESKOM, please correct this asap🙂
( We are all good grid citizens & we all seek beneficial coexistence with our grid )
𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 - 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲
Please consider joining this LinkedIN Group for Horticulturalists, Agronomists, Engineers, Building Scientists & Agriculturalists
www.linkedin.com/groups/12090...
>1400 members
- Greenhouse Design is the apex multi-disciplinary endeavour !
Please consider joining this LinkedIN Group for Horticulturalists, Agronomists, Engineers, Building Scientists & Agriculturalists
www.linkedin.com/groups/12090...
>1400 members
- Greenhouse Design is the apex multi-disciplinary endeavour !
June 2, 2025 at 5:43 AM
𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 - 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲
Please consider joining this LinkedIN Group for Horticulturalists, Agronomists, Engineers, Building Scientists & Agriculturalists
www.linkedin.com/groups/12090...
>1400 members
- Greenhouse Design is the apex multi-disciplinary endeavour !
Please consider joining this LinkedIN Group for Horticulturalists, Agronomists, Engineers, Building Scientists & Agriculturalists
www.linkedin.com/groups/12090...
>1400 members
- Greenhouse Design is the apex multi-disciplinary endeavour !
Reposted by Mike Barker 🇿🇦
Once jobless and pregnant, Akhona Gxuluwe found her calling in agriculture. She didn’t just find a job — she found purpose in the soil, and today she’s the powerhouse behind one of the biggest rooftop farms in the Western Cape and an organic consultancy.
Urban roots: Akhona’s rise from jobless to thriving rooftop farmer
Once jobless and pregnant, Akhona Gxuluwe found her calling in agriculture. She didn’t just find a job — she found purpose in the soil, and today she’s the powerhouse behind one of the biggest rooftop farms in the Western Cape and an organic consultancy.
www.foodformzansi.co.za
May 30, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Once jobless and pregnant, Akhona Gxuluwe found her calling in agriculture. She didn’t just find a job — she found purpose in the soil, and today she’s the powerhouse behind one of the biggest rooftop farms in the Western Cape and an organic consultancy.
How can we avoid parts of the Western Cape becoming another Spanish Almeria ? Wall-to-wall shade net and tunnels
( but we sure do need controlled environment agriculture )
#WCGovAgri
@foodformzansi.bsky.social
@groundedandrooted.bsky.social
( but we sure do need controlled environment agriculture )
#WCGovAgri
@foodformzansi.bsky.social
@groundedandrooted.bsky.social
June 2, 2025 at 5:23 AM
How can we avoid parts of the Western Cape becoming another Spanish Almeria ? Wall-to-wall shade net and tunnels
( but we sure do need controlled environment agriculture )
#WCGovAgri
@foodformzansi.bsky.social
@groundedandrooted.bsky.social
( but we sure do need controlled environment agriculture )
#WCGovAgri
@foodformzansi.bsky.social
@groundedandrooted.bsky.social
This weekends reading - more on #EnergyEquality, and more on Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings.
Grid-interactive loads ( ie smart buildings and infrastructure ) is the foundation of the modern smart grid - smartgrid.ieee.org
Grid-interactive loads ( ie smart buildings and infrastructure ) is the foundation of the modern smart grid - smartgrid.ieee.org
May 29, 2025 at 6:10 AM
This weekends reading - more on #EnergyEquality, and more on Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings.
Grid-interactive loads ( ie smart buildings and infrastructure ) is the foundation of the modern smart grid - smartgrid.ieee.org
Grid-interactive loads ( ie smart buildings and infrastructure ) is the foundation of the modern smart grid - smartgrid.ieee.org
High Value South African Medicinal Plants / Herbs
"The AsiaPacific Nutraceutical product market is an emerging market in dietary supplements and functional food segment. Japan is the largest consumer of nutraceuticals in Asia, while China is the second largest consumer"
- Medicinal plants of RSA
"The AsiaPacific Nutraceutical product market is an emerging market in dietary supplements and functional food segment. Japan is the largest consumer of nutraceuticals in Asia, while China is the second largest consumer"
- Medicinal plants of RSA
May 28, 2025 at 6:57 PM
High Value South African Medicinal Plants / Herbs
"The AsiaPacific Nutraceutical product market is an emerging market in dietary supplements and functional food segment. Japan is the largest consumer of nutraceuticals in Asia, while China is the second largest consumer"
- Medicinal plants of RSA
"The AsiaPacific Nutraceutical product market is an emerging market in dietary supplements and functional food segment. Japan is the largest consumer of nutraceuticals in Asia, while China is the second largest consumer"
- Medicinal plants of RSA
𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟮𝟰/𝟳 𝗖𝗙𝗘
- Join #ClimateGroup's new webinar featuring speakers from AstraZeneca, Princeton University and Climate Group’s energy initiatives on June 10
#247CFE
www.theclimategroup.org/why-choose-2...
- Join #ClimateGroup's new webinar featuring speakers from AstraZeneca, Princeton University and Climate Group’s energy initiatives on June 10
#247CFE
www.theclimategroup.org/why-choose-2...
Powering the Future: Why Business Leaders Are Choosing 24/7 CFE | Climate Group
Electricity procurement is evolving and leaders are taking steps towards 24/7 carbon-free electricity (CFE) to future-proof their business.
www.theclimategroup.org
May 27, 2025 at 12:40 PM
𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟮𝟰/𝟳 𝗖𝗙𝗘
- Join #ClimateGroup's new webinar featuring speakers from AstraZeneca, Princeton University and Climate Group’s energy initiatives on June 10
#247CFE
www.theclimategroup.org/why-choose-2...
- Join #ClimateGroup's new webinar featuring speakers from AstraZeneca, Princeton University and Climate Group’s energy initiatives on June 10
#247CFE
www.theclimategroup.org/why-choose-2...
Reposted by Mike Barker 🇿🇦
In numbers: Africa’s off-grid solar revolution is boosting electricity access
theprogressplaybook.com/2025/04/03/i...
theprogressplaybook.com/2025/04/03/i...
In numbers: Africa's off-grid solar revolution is boosting electricity access
Mini-grids and household solar solutions now account for more than half of all new electricity connections in sub-Saharan Africa.
theprogressplaybook.com
May 20, 2025 at 11:19 AM
In numbers: Africa’s off-grid solar revolution is boosting electricity access
theprogressplaybook.com/2025/04/03/i...
theprogressplaybook.com/2025/04/03/i...
South Africa wants Grid-Forming Inverters - probably hoping they will provide grid-firming 🙂
Good show - at last !
- so we now need #IEEE1547
Good show - at last !
- so we now need #IEEE1547
May 20, 2025 at 8:03 AM
South Africa wants Grid-Forming Inverters - probably hoping they will provide grid-firming 🙂
Good show - at last !
- so we now need #IEEE1547
Good show - at last !
- so we now need #IEEE1547
Reposted by Mike Barker 🇿🇦
Please come join us tomorrow at the Franschhoek Literature Festival at 4 pm. I will be in conversation with economist David McWilliams
Details are here: www.flf.co.za/2025-program...
Details are here: www.flf.co.za/2025-program...
May 15, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Please come join us tomorrow at the Franschhoek Literature Festival at 4 pm. I will be in conversation with economist David McWilliams
Details are here: www.flf.co.za/2025-program...
Details are here: www.flf.co.za/2025-program...
𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 - 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 & 𝗔𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗰𝘀 - Southern Africa
Please consider joining this fledgling LinkedIN Group for Professionals/
- a carefully curated spam-free resource
www.linkedin.com/groups/20787...
Please consider joining this fledgling LinkedIN Group for Professionals/
- a carefully curated spam-free resource
www.linkedin.com/groups/20787...
May 13, 2025 at 1:49 PM
𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 - 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 & 𝗔𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗰𝘀 - Southern Africa
Please consider joining this fledgling LinkedIN Group for Professionals/
- a carefully curated spam-free resource
www.linkedin.com/groups/20787...
Please consider joining this fledgling LinkedIN Group for Professionals/
- a carefully curated spam-free resource
www.linkedin.com/groups/20787...