Combatting load-shedding in the South Africa energy crisis
For years, South Africa has wrestled with an unstable energy grid. This has resulted in sporadic blackouts and a heavy dependence on fossil fuels. Coal, to be specific, fuels a significant 80% of South Africa's electricity production. However, things could be about to change.
To learn more about the key trends driving the renewable energy industry and what experts predict for the sector's future, download our Renewable Energy and Solar Research Report 2023.
Overseas investment in renewables and battery storage could be precisely what the nation needs to create a brighter, more sustainable future. Let’s now look at the intricacies of the South African energy grid and the promising solutions that might transform it.
South Africa’s energy grid has been on shaky ground for some time now due to a complex set of circumstances. Many facets have contributed to this, starting with Eskom, the state-owned enterprise responsible for the lion’s share of the nation’s electricity supply.
Eskom has suffered from underinvestment for years, and the consequences of this are far reaching. South Africa’s energy grid is not fit for purpose and has been straining under an ever-growing demand since 2007. This strain has led to frequent 'load-shedding' events, a term used to describe deliberate rolling blackouts designed to prevent the grid from collapsing.
These blackouts aren’t an occasional inconvenience. They’ve become a harsh reality of life in South Africa. They typically last for several hours and can occur multiple times a day. This was particularly felt in 2022, a record-breaking year with over 300 load-shedding events, three times the previous record set in 2020.
These power cuts are non-discriminatory. This means they affect both residential homes and commercial buildings. To counter this, many have turned to diesel generators as a stopgap measure. While these provide a somewhat consistent power supply, they also increase pollution.
The nation’s grid instability has not only impacted ordinary citizens but has also affected South African businesses significantly. Despite the ongoing energy crisis, South Africa has grown to be a regional data center hub.
This is due to its developed telecommunications infrastructure and the landing of 11 major subsea network cables. Like many others, these data centers heavily rely on diesel generators for backup power. This dependency has increased demand, supply shortages, and rising fuel costs.
Crime is yet another big part of the problem. Incidents of theft and industrial sabotage are common. Sometimes it’s profit-driven in the form of stealing cables and other infrastructure to sell, and other times it has political motivation.
Despite these issues, the primary culprits remain the aging and failing infrastructure. With generators in near-constant use due to blackouts, they wear out faster and require frequent repairs or replacements. But the domino effect doesn’t stop there. Fuel deliveries often get delayed due to the same blackouts, leading to even more grid instability. It’s a cyclical problem that feeds into itself, exacerbating the overall situation.
The one good thing about a crisis is that it presents an opportunity. With South Africa’s energy grid struggling, a collaborative international effort has emerged with a potential solution. The International Just Energy Transition (JET) Partnership, spearheaded by France, Germany, the UK, the US, and the EU, is an initiative with the primary objective of accelerating South Africa’s decarbonization efforts. Its focus is primarily on the electricity sector, aligning with the country’s updated emission goals.
With an initial commitment of $8.5 billion for the first phase of financing, the partnership aims to involve the private sector through grants, concessional loans, and investments. The outcomes are ambitious but achievable. Over the next 20 years, the partnership aims to prevent 1-1.5 gigatonnes of emissions and support the transition from coal reliance to a greener South African economy.
Decarbonization isn’t the only focus of this project. The partnership aims to balance ecological responsibility with societal care, ensuring that affected workers and vulnerable communities aren’t left behind during this transition. The goal is to create quality green jobs, sparking sustainable economic growth.
While the ongoing energy crisis costs South Africa’s economy an estimated $51 million daily, the government has also taken proactive measures. The implementation of an Energy Action Plan aims to secure a reliable electricity supply for the country.
Aiming to transition from the coal-fired power station to more green energy sources, the government has been welcoming private investments and collaboration with external stakeholders.
The Minister of Communications, Mondli Gungubele, has stated that the government is easing some energy project licensing requirements to expedite the approval of generation projects and invite more private investment.
Mr. Gungubele also highlighted recent progress, stating that agreements for 26 projects have been signed with independent power producers. Together these projects will produce about 2,800 MW of clean energy.
The simple answer to this question is yes. Battery solutions have the potential to be transformative for South Africa’s grid instability. While requiring substantial investment, they hold the potential to stabilize the grid while simultaneously reducing emissions.
Looking for guidance on the best way to size your BESS? RatedPower’s software includes functionality that automates and speeds up the feasibility study process for identifying viable utility-scale PV projects with BESS. Download the Guide now.
A recent report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) underscored the critical need for South Africa to devise national and municipal energy storage strategies. In the face of an escalating power crisis and an increase in scheduled power cuts in the first half of 2023, energy storage solutions could balance electricity supply and demand, improve grid stability, and enhance financial returns for energy providers.
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) connected to the grid have also been earmarked as an immediate strategic priority. Given their rapid global growth and ability to offer multiple services quickly, they are integral to resolving the current power crisis.
The implementation of BESS alongside renewable energy sources could optimize grid efficiency and combat load-shedding. BESS could also lower the demand for coal supply from Eskom, offering much-needed flexibility to the country’s transmission system.
Not only could BESS prove a cost-effective alternative to grid expansion, but it could also broaden the power network’s reach to areas lacking grid infrastructure. It’s clear that South Africa should be looking at the benefits battery solutions could offer to help stabilize its current grid situation while making their energy mix more sustainable.
Are you planning your own solar power installation and looking to hybridize your PV power plant? Learn more about how RatedPower can design your BESS and optimize its capacity all in one place.
Listen back to our webinar: AC-coupled BESS: hybridizing your PV system to learn how solar developers can leverage AC-coupled BESS to engineer hybrid PV systems in pvDesign.
What you should do now
Whenever you’re ready, here are 4 ways we can help you grow your solar business and reduce LCOE of your PV plants.
- Get hands-on with a free RatedPower self-service guided tour. If you’d like to learn the ins and outs of how top photovoltaic software can help your engineering team, go ahead and request your free demo. One of our solar experts will understand your current design and engineering workflows, and then suggest practical tips on how to speed up them though the right tool.
- Let's get physical, physical! Learn the latest on renewable energy and PV in the second edition of Pulse, our annual get-together full of technical workshops, inspiring talks from energy leaders and tons of networking. Learn more.
- If you’d like to learn insights, ideas and inspiration for the low-carbon energy transition for free, go to our blog or visit our resources section, where you can download guides, templates and checklists solar successful pros use.
- If you’d like to work with other passionate experts on our team, or learn more about our purpose and corporate values, then see our Careers page.
- If you know another solar designer, developer or engineer who’d enjoy reading this page, share it with them via email, LinkedIn or Twitter.
Kwa miaka mingi, Afrika Kusini imekuwa ikipambana na mtandao wa nishati usio thabiti. Hilo limesababisha mapumziko ya umeme mara kwa mara na utegemezi mkubwa kwa mafuta ya visukuku. Makaa ya mawe, kwa usahihi, huongeza 80% ya uzalishaji wa umeme wa Afrika Kusini. Hata hivyo, mambo yanaweza kuwa karibu kubadilika. Ili kujua zaidi juu ya mwenendo muhimu unaosababisha sekta ya nishati mbadala na nini wataalamu wanatarajia kwa siku zijazo za sekta hiyo, pakua Ripoti yetu ya Utafiti wa Nishati Mbadala na Jua 2023. """Uwekezaji wa nje ya nchi katika nishati mbadala na kuhifadhi betri inaweza kuwa haswa kile taifa linahitaji kuunda siku zijazo zenye mwangaza na endelevu zaidi." Hebu sasa tuangalie utata wa mtandao wa nishati wa Afrika Kusini na suluhisho zenye kuahidi ambazo zinaweza kuubadilisha. Mfumo wa umeme wa Afrika Kusini umekuwa ukitikisika kwa muda sasa kwa sababu ya hali ngumu. Vitu vingi vimechangia hili, kuanzia na Eskom, kampuni inayomilikiwa na serikali inayohusika na sehemu kubwa ya usambazaji wa umeme wa taifa. Eskom imekuwa ikiteseka kutokana na uwekezaji mdogo kwa miaka, na matokeo ya hili ni ya mbali. Mfumo wa umeme wa Afrika Kusini umekuwa ukiendelea kuimarika tangu mwaka 2007. Mkazo huu umesababisha matukio ya mara kwa mara ya 'kupoteza mzigo', neno linalotumiwa kuelezea kuzima kwa makusudi kwa makusudi iliyoundwa kuzuia gridi kuanguka. Vikwazo hivyo vya umeme si tatizo la mara kwa mara. Wamekuwa ukweli mgumu wa maisha nchini Afrika Kusini. Kwa kawaida huendelea kwa muda wa saa kadhaa na zinaweza kutokea mara nyingi kwa siku. Hii ilionekana hasa katika 2022, mwaka wa kuvunja rekodi na zaidi ya matukio 300 ya kupunguzwa kwa mzigo, mara tatu ya rekodi ya awali iliyowekwa katika 2020. Kupunguzwa kwa umeme huu si kwa ubaguzi. Hii inamaanisha kwamba huathiri nyumba za makazi na majengo ya kibiashara. Ili kukabiliana na hali hiyo, wengi wametumia jenereta za dizeli kama njia ya kupunguza gharama. Ingawa hizo hutoa umeme kwa njia thabiti, pia huongeza uchafuzi wa mazingira. Ukosefu wa utulivu wa mtandao wa taifa haukuathiri tu raia wa kawaida lakini pia imeathiri biashara za Afrika Kusini kwa kiasi kikubwa. Licha ya mgogoro wa nishati unaoendelea, Afrika Kusini imekua kuwa kitovu cha kituo cha data cha kikanda. Hii ni kwa sababu ya miundombinu yake ya mawasiliano ya simu iliyoendelea na kutua kwa nyaya 11 kuu za mtandao wa chini ya bahari. Kama wengine wengi, vituo hivi vya data hutegemea sana jenereta za dizeli kwa ajili ya umeme wa ziada. Utegemezi huo umeongeza mahitaji, upungufu wa ugavi, na kuongezeka kwa gharama za mafuta. Uhalifu ni sehemu nyingine kubwa ya tatizo hilo. Matukio ya wizi na uharibifu wa viwanda ni ya kawaida. Wakati mwingine ni faida inayoendeshwa katika fomu ya kuiba cables na miundombinu mingine ya kuuza, na wakati mwingine ina motisha ya kisiasa. Licha ya masuala haya, wahalifu wakuu bado ni miundombinu inayozidi kuzeeka na kushindwa. Kwa kuwa jenereta hutumiwa karibu daima kwa sababu ya kuzimwa kwa umeme, huvunjika haraka na zinahitaji kurekebishwa au kubadilishwa mara kwa mara. Lakini athari ya domino haikomi hapo. Utoaji wa mafuta mara nyingi hucheleweshwa kwa sababu ya kuzima umeme sawa, na kusababisha ukosefu zaidi wa utulivu wa gridi. Ni tatizo la mzunguko ambalo linajiingiza lenyewe, na kuharibu hali ya jumla. Jambo moja zuri kuhusu mgogoro ni kwamba unatoa fursa. Kwa kuwa mtandao wa nishati wa Afrika Kusini una matatizo, jitihada za kimataifa za ushirikiano zimeibuka na suluhisho linalowezekana. Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa wa Mabadiliko ya Nishati ya Haki (JET) unaongozwa na Ufaransa, Ujerumani, Uingereza, Marekani na EU, ni mpango na lengo kuu la kuharakisha juhudi za Afrika Kusini za kuondoa kaboni. Lengo lake ni hasa juu ya sekta ya umeme, align na nchi ya updated malengo ya uzalishaji. Pamoja na ahadi ya awali ya $ 8.5 bilioni kwa awamu ya kwanza ya ufadhili, ushirikiano huo unakusudia kuhusisha sekta binafsi kupitia misaada, mikopo ya upendeleo na uwekezaji. Matokeo ni ya kutamani lakini yanatimizwa. Katika miaka 20 ijayo, ushirikiano huo unakusudia kuzuia gigatonnes 1 hadi 1.5 za uzalishaji na kusaidia mabadiliko kutoka kwa utegemezi wa makaa ya mawe hadi uchumi wa kijani wa Afrika Kusini. Decarbonization si lengo pekee la mradi huu. Ushirikiano huo unakusudia kusawazisha jukumu la ikolojia na utunzaji wa jamii, kuhakikisha kwamba wafanyakazi walioathiriwa na jamii zilizo hatarini haziachiwi nyuma wakati wa mabadiliko haya. Lengo ni kuunda kazi za ubora za kijani kibichi, kuchochea ukuaji wa uchumi endelevu. Wakati mgogoro wa nishati unaoendelea unaigiza uchumi wa Afrika Kusini takriban dola milioni 51 kwa siku, serikali pia imechukua hatua za kujihakikishia. Utekelezaji wa Mpango wa Hatua ya Nishati unakusudia kuhakikisha usambazaji wa umeme wa kuaminika kwa nchi. Kwa lengo la kuhamia kutoka kwa kituo cha umeme cha makaa ya mawe hadi vyanzo vya nishati vya kijani kibichi, serikali imekuwa ikikaribisha uwekezaji wa kibinafsi na ushirikiano na wadau wa nje. Waziri wa Mawasiliano Mondli Gungubele amesema serikali inapunguza mahitaji ya leseni ya miradi ya nishati ili kuharakisha idhini ya miradi ya uzalishaji na kuvutia uwekezaji zaidi wa kibinafsi. Gungubele pia alionyesha maendeleo ya hivi karibuni, akisema makubaliano ya miradi 26 yamesainiwa na wazalishaji wa umeme huru. Pamoja, miradi hii itazalisha karibu MW 2,800 ya nishati safi. Jibu rahisi la swali hilo ni ndiyo. Suluhisho za betri zina uwezo wa kuwa na mabadiliko kwa kutokuwa na utulivu wa gridi ya Afrika Kusini. Wakati zinahitaji uwekezaji mkubwa, zina uwezo wa kuimarisha gridi wakati huo huo kupunguza uzalishaji. Unatafuta mwongozo juu ya njia bora ya kupima BES yako? RatedPower's programu ni pamoja na utendaji kwamba automatiska na kuharakisha mchakato wa utafiti wa uwezekano kwa ajili ya kutambua viable utility-scale PV miradi na BESS. Pakua Mwongozo sasa. Ripoti ya hivi karibuni ya Taasisi ya Kimataifa ya Maendeleo Endelevu (IISD) ilisisitiza umuhimu mkubwa wa Afrika Kusini kutengeneza mikakati ya kuhifadhi nishati ya kitaifa na manispaa. Kwa sababu ya mgogoro wa umeme unaoongezeka na kuongezeka kwa kukatika kwa umeme kwa mpango katika nusu ya kwanza ya 2023, suluhisho za kuhifadhi nishati zinaweza kusawazisha usambazaji wa umeme na mahitaji, kuboresha utulivu wa gridi, na kuongeza mapato ya kifedha kwa watoaji wa nishati. Mifumo ya kuhifadhi nishati ya betri (BESS) iliyounganishwa na gridi pia imewekwa kama kipaumbele cha kimkakati cha haraka. Kwa kuzingatia ukuaji wao wa haraka wa kimataifa na uwezo wa kutoa huduma nyingi haraka, ni muhimu kwa kutatua mgogoro wa sasa wa umeme. Utekelezaji wa BESS pamoja na vyanzo vya nishati mbadala inaweza kuboresha ufanisi wa gridi na kupambana na mzigo-shedding. BESC pia inaweza kupunguza mahitaji ya ugavi wa makaa ya mawe kutoka kwa Eskom, ikitoa kubadilika kwa mfumo wa usafirishaji wa nchi. BES inaweza kuwa mbadala wa gharama nafuu kwa upanuzi wa gridi, lakini pia inaweza kupanua kufikia kwa mtandao wa umeme kwa maeneo ambayo hayana miundombinu ya gridi. Ni wazi kwamba Afrika Kusini inapaswa kuangalia faida ufumbuzi betri inaweza kutoa kusaidia kutuliza hali yake ya sasa gridi wakati wa kufanya mchanganyiko wao nishati zaidi endelevu. Je, una mpango wa kuanzisha umeme wa jua na kuangalia hybridize PV yako kituo cha umeme? Jifunze zaidi juu ya jinsi RatedPower inaweza kubuni BESS yako na kuboresha uwezo wake wote katika mahali moja. "Kama ilivyoelezwa katika makala ya ""Mfumo wa PV ya Hybrid"" ya BESC, ni muhimu kujua jinsi ya kuunda mfumo wa PV ya Hybrid katika mazingira ya hali ya juu." Wakati wowote unapokuwa tayari, hapa ni njia nne ambazo tunaweza kukusaidia kukuza biashara yako ya jua na kupunguza LCOE ya mitambo yako ya PV. - Kupata mikono juu na bure RatedPower kujitumikia kuongozwa ziara. Kama ungependa kujifunza ins na outs ya jinsi juu photovoltaic programu inaweza kusaidia timu yako ya uhandisi, kwenda mbele na kuomba demo yako bure. Wataalamu wetu wa jua wataelewa muundo wako wa sasa na mtiririko wa kazi ya uhandisi, na kisha watapendekeza vidokezo vya vitendo juu ya jinsi ya kuharakisha kazi yako kupitia chombo sahihi. - Hebu kupata kimwili, kimwili! Jifunze juu ya nishati mbadala na PV katika toleo la pili la Pulse, mkutano wetu wa kila mwaka uliojaa warsha za kiufundi, mazungumzo ya kuchochea kutoka kwa viongozi wa nishati na tani za mitandao. Jifunze zaidi. Kama unataka kujifunza maoni, mawazo na msukumo kwa ajili ya mabadiliko ya nishati ya chini ya kaboni kwa bure, kwenda blogu yetu au kutembelea sehemu yetu ya rasilimali, ambapo unaweza kupakua miongozo, templates na orodha ya kuangalia nishati ya jua mafanikio pro kutumia. - Kama ungependa kufanya kazi na wataalamu wengine shauku katika timu yetu, au kujifunza zaidi kuhusu kusudi letu na maadili ya ushirika, kisha angalia yetu Careers ukurasa. - Kama unajua mbuni mwingine wa jua, msanidi programu au mhandisi ambaye angependa kusoma ukurasa huu, kushiriki na wao kupitia barua pepe, LinkedIn au Twitter.