From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.
Sashnee Moodley:
Having completed more than a 100 installations of its locally produced lithium iron phosphate Freedom Lite range of batteries across Southern Africa, Johannesburg-based energy solutions provider Freedom Won aims to enhance its production capacity amid growing demand.
The battery system is designed for stationary and mobile applications. Mia Breytenbach tells us more.
Mia Breytenbach:
Freedom Won first launched the Freedom Lite LiFePO4 battery range in April 2015.
Its Freedom Lite energy storage battery is a compact integrated energy storage source.
Freedom Won Cofounder Antony English explained the applications of the storage systems.
Freedom Won Cofounder Antony English:
Mia Breytenbach:
The capacities of the Freedom Won range of wall units are measured in kWh, and ranges from 5 kWh to 80 kWh.
Freedom Won Cofounder Antony English:
Mia Breytenbach:
The larger batteries can be custom-designed and are scalable for each project. Design proposals have included power output of up to 5 MWh.
Freedom Won has chartered a growth plan with a substantial growth rate, which includes expansion and export plans.
Company cofounder Lizette Kriel noted that early discussions have been held for exporting to the Philippines, Pakistan and the US.
The company has also serviced the Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe markets to date and has established a reseller and installation partnership network across Southern Africa.
Depending on African market access and financial partner support, Freedom Won cofounder Antony English expects the company to produce about 1 000 batteries next year.
Freedom Won Cofounder Antony English:
Mia Breytenbach:
Notably, the Freedom Lite battery has also been used in the modular renewable-energy solution the PowerTurtle, launched at Pheasant Folly Primary School in Palmridge, Gauteng, in February this year.
The PowerTurtle system is designed to provide sustainable and secure energy solutions for rural off-the-grid applications.
Mia Breytenbach:
The Freedom Lite wall unit batteries incorporate the same technology as that used in Freedom Won’s first prototype electric vehicle battery solution.
This solution was commissioned in 2011 and the prototype conversion has been trialled in a 4 x 4 vehicle.
The vehicle has driven 75 000 km to date on the original battery pack. This has been achieved with less than 5% capacity degradation.
Mia Breytenbach:
Consequently, Freedom Won provides electric mobility solutions for vehicles and boats, particularly for those used in the ecotourism sectors.
The 4 x 4 EV conversions are available as 42 kWh units, while 6A household type or 32A welding type plugs can be used to charge them.
Freedom Won is busy assisting several game lodges in converting their game drive vehicle fleet, as well as implementing the Freedom Lite battery system on quad bikes and several boats for a notable eco-experience.
Sashnee Moodley:
Other news making headlines this week:
Commodity shock knocks Africa’s growth prospects
Hulisani joins the JSE, leverages demand for energy assets
And, needy university students to benefit from new education fund
The World Bank has lowered its 2016 growth forecast for Africa to 3.3%, from 4.2% previously, after the continent expanded by only 3% in 2015.
Senior economist for South Africa Marek Hanusch:
Newly established renewable energy special-purpose acquisition company Hulisani has listed on the main board of the JSE, taking advantage of investor demand for energy assets in South Africa and Africa.
Hulisani CEO Mlungelo Zilimbola:
Former Wits student presidents and SRC members have launched the South African Student Solidarity Foundation for Education, with the aim of mobilising significant financial support for the tertiary education sector in South Africa.
Wits SRC president Nompendulo Mkatshwa:
That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy.