Electricity and Control June 2022

ENERGY MANAGEMENT + THE INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT

Some of the other completed projects in the EGP RSA portfolio are the Adams solar energy plant in the Northern Cape and Gibson Bay wind farm, Eastern Cape. the grid, and when renewable energy production is low, Eskom generators need to fill the gap.

For countries that have good water resources and established hydro dams, it is easier to achieve a fully renewable power system. If there is storage in the system too, with a significant number of batteries built into it, for example, the prospect of powering the country solely with renewables becomes theoretically possible. Battery technology is developing fast, but South Africa has a way to go before it could be powered solely by renewable energy. Renewables capacity Many of the renewable energy plants already connected to the grid in South Africa have installed capacity that is slightly higher than the amount of energy they are contracted to produce. This is to cater for the technical capabilities the plants need to have in order to meet the requirements for keeping the grid stable – it is governed by the requirements for grid code compliance. This means most IPPs are currently providing the maximum that they can technically and legally provide to the national grid. Some generate extra power at their plants, which they cannot currently supply to Eskom, in order to stay in line with grid code compliance. The supply of energy is a dynamic and technically complex process, especially in a country like South Africa where the circumstances are quite unique. However, with advances in technology and more support from renewable energy suppliers such as EGP RSA, the prospect of a national grid with higher levels of renewable energy penetration could be a near-term goal. □

Managing the grid in this way is a highly technical process and is run by highly skilled personnel, because Eskom needs to maintain the integrity of the grid at all times. If imbalances arise in the grid, these can cascade to a point where a blackout occurs in a region or in the country, and if this happens, it is a difficult process to get the grid running again. Global warming and renewable energy Sectors that consume the most energy are, generally, mining, material beneficiation and materials manufacturing. Due to global warming, many countries and the companies in those countries have made a commitment to reduce their carbon footprint, and countries have signed the international treaty on climate change, the Paris Agreement. Additionally, many investors these days want to know the environmental, social and governance (ESG) standing of the projects or companies in which they invest – and how these companies are tackling issues such as climate change. Renewable energy, supplying clean and sustainable energy, plays a role here because it enables companies and countries to rise to the challenge of meeting their commitments in terms of the Paris Agreement – and the requirements of investors in terms of ESG principles. Can SA be powered solely by renewables? With advances in technology and the resources we have in the country, it is envisaged that renewable energy can make a high contribution to the country’s energy needs. However, the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) does make provision for other forms of power generation and different technologies.

For more information visit: www.enel.com Or: www.enelgreenpower.com/countries/africa/south-africa

JUNE 2022 Electricity + Control

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