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Storage News

Eskom’s R178bn grid plan points to ‘scary’ step change in expansionary capex

By: Terence Creamer 26th October 2021 State-owned electricity utility Eskom has outlined a R178-billion grid investment plan for the coming ten years, which is premised on a dramatic acceleration of expansionary capital expenditure. The Transmission Development Plan (TDP) for the period 2022 to 2031 is largely geared towards... →

Caterpillar, Tractafric complete 7.5 MW battery storage solution for grid stability at Barrick's Kibali

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 22nd October 2021 Construction and equipment manufacturer Caterpillar and equipment distribution multinational Tractafric have installed 7.5 MW of battery energy storage capacity at gold miner Barrick Gold's Kibali mine, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Tractafric solution is operational and deploys... →

Hydrogen Society Roadmap to guide South Africa’s hydrogen rollout – Nzimande

By: Donna Slater 22nd October 2021 The Hydrogen Society Roadmap (HSRM), which was approved by Cabinet on September 14, provides a “clear indication” of how hydrogen and fuel cell technologies could be a “game changer” for the South African economy, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande noted during the Hydrogen Economy... →

Repurposed EV batteries aids in power storage

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 22nd October 2021 Energy storage solutions are a viable approach in assisting with embedded-electricity solutions, and one such solution is using repurposed electric vehicle (EV) battery cells, battery equipment supplier REVOV tells Engineering News. “Automotive-grade cells are manufactured specifically for use in... →

LANCE DICKERSON Stationary storage applications change the high throughput requirement and optimise the requirement to provide a lower throughput over a longer period

Going ‘off the grid’ can have consequences

22nd October 2021 The recent announcement by the President to lift the limit on the self-generation of power from 1 MW to 100 MW, is a gamechanger for industries such as mining, farming, retail, healthcare and manufacturing. Off the back of this announcement, some companies such as private hospital groups have... →

Electricity wheeling can reduce load-shedding risk if legal, technical uncertainties are addressed

By: Donna Slater 15th October 2021 Tariffs and the legal framework governing the wheeling of electricity from independent power producers (IPPs), which are taking advantage of the recently declared 100 MW licence threshold, will be key factors in IPPs’ ability and willingness to feed surplus power into regional and national power... →

Biogas engines supplied to ethanol producer

15th October 2021 Multinational gas and diesel power plant specialist Clarke Energy has secured the sale of two of gas engine manufacturer Innio Jenbacher’s biogas engines to ethanol distiller PressCane Limited, based in Chikhwawa, Malawi. The ethanol production site generates biofuel in the form of ethanol, which... →

Gas-to-power crucial to South Africa’s energy future

By: Halima Frost 15th October 2021 Multinational conglomerate General Electric Company (GE) Gas Power strategy & growth director Michael Konadu tells Mining Weekly that although there is no one solution to decrease South Africa’s carbon footprint, gas-to-power will be integral in the mix. He explains that South Africa’s Just... →

A large Gas Power Combined Cycle power plant designed by GE at dusk

TURNING TABLES The gas turbines offered by GE Gas To Power decrease a clients emissions substantially making a dent on its carbon footprint

Need for training in LNG sector recognised

By: Halima Frost 15th October 2021 With liquefied natural gas (LNG) expected to grow exponentially over the next five years, owing to the global drive to greener power generation, diverse consulting service provider Synergy Oil & Gas Consulting & Training senior energy manager Ismaeel Fataar says now is the time to upskill workers... →

A large ocean bearing vessel with LNG Gas from Mozambique and other parts of the world to South Africa.

KEEPING AFLOAT In order for South Africa to keep abreast with international standards, its LPG workers must be trained correctly

Eskom aiming to secure concessional funding for R400bn just energy transition project pipeline

By: Terence Creamer 14th October 2021 State-owned electricity producer Eskom has identified a pipeline of ‘just energy transition’ projects valued at about R400-billion that it will seek to fund using concessional finance raised from international financiers that have committed to supporting decarbonisation initiatives in developing... →

Photo of Eskom's rock-man statue at Megawatt Park

South Africa needs to ramp up critical minerals exploration as world decarbonises - study

By: Terence Creamer 13th October 2021 The South African mining sector can remain internationally competitive and support socioeconomic development only if it drives decarbonisation and adapts to the global shift in commodity demand towards minerals used in green sectors such as renewable electricity and electric vehicles (EVs), a new... →

IEA warns of more energy market volatility as transition investment lags

By: Terence Creamer 13th October 2021 There is a looming risk of more turbulence ahead for energy markets, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warns in its latest World Energy Outlook publication. “The world is not investing enough to meet its future energy needs, and uncertainties over policies and demand trajectories create a... →

IEA executive director Dr Fatih Birol

Ramaphosa lends his weight to plans for raising concessional funding for ‘just transition’

By: Terence Creamer 11th October 2021 President Cyril Ramaphosa has doubled down on his argument that South Africa needs to act with “urgency and ambition” in transitioning to a low-carbon economy, but stressed that such increased ambition could not be achieved without financial support from developed economies. In his latest weekly... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa

PCC’s Olver sees updating IRP to exclude new coal as key policy priority

By: Terence Creamer 7th October 2021 Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) executive director Dr Crispian Olver says updating South Africa’s energy policy to exclude any new coal capacity to 2030 and beyond, while increasing the allocation for renewable energy to at least 30 GW by the end of the decade should be key priorities for... →

Presidential Climate Commission executive director Dr Crispian Olver

Ramaphosa moots possible hydrogen partnership with Namibia as he punts Boegoebaai export hub

By: Terence Creamer 7th October 2021 President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa stands ready to be a major exporter of green hydrogen and has described the special economic zone (SEZ) proposed for development at Boegoebaai, in the Northern Cape, as a major step towards realising the country’s potential to be a global leader in... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa

Tesla's gigafactory electrifies California-Germany culture clash

By: Reuters 7th October 2021 With final approval for its German factory potentially just weeks away, Tesla's Elon Musk will make an appearance in the tiny town of Gruenheide this Saturday to host a county fair. Despite pandemic-related curbs limiting gatherings in Germany to under 5 000 people, Tesla applied for - and got -... →

RMIPPPP preferred bidder confirms delay to end-Jan

By: Terence Creamer 1st October 2021 One of the preferred bidders participating in South Africa’s Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP) has confirmed that government has delayed the deadline of financial close to end of January. The delay was foreseen, but not confirmed by September 30, which was... →

Photo by Creamer Media Chief Photographer Donna Slater
Mineral Resources & Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe named the initial eight RMIPPPP preferred bidders on March 18

Opinion: Energy storage solutions, batteries and bankability of those solutions in sub-Saharan Africa

1st October 2021 In this opinion article, Herbert Smith Freehills Africa Group co-head Martin Kavanagh and finance practice senior associate Joanne Elson write about their predictions for the use of energy storage solutions across sub-Saharan Africa, as well as the key areas for consideration when developing and... →

Martin Kavanagh

Project a blueprint for renewables future

By: Cameron Mackay 1st October 2021 The Oya Energy Hybrid dispatchable facility, which consists of colocated solar, wind and battery storage energy, will form a blueprint for the way in which South Africa’s energy grid will be able to operate on 100% renewable energy, says energy project developer G7 Renewable Energies MD Dr... →

iStock image - Transition to renewable energies

FOREFRONT OF WIND INNOVATION The Oya facility shows the value of wind energy to the grid, and that reliable energy can be supplied to South African consumers with battery storage

iREREP to have 30-year lead time, private sector to be responsible for technical and financing aspects

By: Donna Slater 20th September 2021 The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) launched its Integrated Renewable Energy and Resource Efficiency Programme (iREREP) by opening its request for information (RFI) on September 20, saying its 30-year lead time is aligned with government’s National Infrastructure Plan 2050... →

Sasol, NRF call for energy transition and green economy solution proposals

By: Donna Slater 17th September 2021 Integrated energy and chemicals company Sasol and the National Research Foundation (NRF) are requesting research proposals on science and engineering projects that can enable Sasol’s and South Africa’s energy transition, as well as the development of the country’s green economy. Of interest to... →

Energy transition opportunities, risks

17th September 2021 Creamer Media's Chanel de Bruyn speaks to Engineering News Editor Terence Creamer about the need for South Africa to compile a clear country commitment to net-zero and to find a common vision and action plan around the just transition, as well as about the growth potential for hydrogen and energy... →

Energy transition opportunities, risks

South Africa’s battery energy storage market poised for growth

By: Terence Creamer 16th September 2021 A South African energy project finance specialist estimates that the country’s near-term battery energy storage project pipeline could grow to about R53-billion over the coming three years, potentially making the country one of the largest adopters of such systems globally. The estimate includes... →

BlueNova opens Intelligent Energy Storage Systems production facility

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 15th September 2021 South African energy storage company BlueNova Energy on September 15 launched its new office and factory space in Pretoria East. The official opening of the new Intelligent Energy Storage Systems (iESS) production facility marks a critical milestone towards achieving BlueNova’s production goal... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Tasneem Bulbulia
A BlueNova iESS system

DMRE outlines timetable for electricity procurement programmes

By: Terence Creamer 24th August 2021 The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has provided an updated timetable for the implementation of its long-term electricity procurement programmes, which are being pursued in line with a Section 34 Ministerial determination, published in September 2020, and catering for the... →

Photo of workers installing solar panels at a project in South Africa

Photo by Creamer Media
Workers installing solar panels at a project in South Africa

SANEDI develops new strategic plan to address modern energy issues

By: Donna Slater 23rd August 2021 Various challenges in the South African energy sector must be addressed for wider socioeconomic advancement – for which the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) has developed a new strategic plan, positioning it to address key energy sector issues. SANEDI interim CEO... →

US moves to secure critical minerals for EV supply chain

By: Darren Parker 20th August 2021 Modern civilisation was built on fossil fuels, with the invention and commercialisation of the internal combustion engine during the 1800s setting the stage for petroleum-based vehicles to be dominant worldwide for the next 150 years. Various oil majors continue to produce huge volumes of oil and... →

Image of Engineering News and Mining Weekly magazine cover

Energy study on grid capacity to assist Eskom

By: Cameron Mackay 20th August 2021 Stellenbosch University (SU), in the Western Cape, is conducting a study to examine grid capacity and determine ideal locations for renewable-energy projects that will support the grid. The study is funded by global organisation the European Climate Foundation (ECF); SU reports on the results of... →

Image of Stellenbosch Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies Director Professor Sampson Mamphweli

PROFESSOR SAMPSON MAMPHWELI We have plenty of solar resources and wind energy resources in South Africa, and we haven’t exploited the energy storage systems to their fullest

Company offers solutions to manage decentralised power systems

By: Cameron Mackay 20th August 2021 The shift to renewable sources of power generation that are decentralised and have to be managed presents opportunities for technology company Hitachi ABB Power Grids to be involved in the local energy sector. Hitachi ABB Power Grids lead sales and marketing manager Stuart Michie states that new... →

Renewables can benefit from repurposed batteries uptake

By: Cameron Mackay 20th August 2021 Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe’s announcement of the opening of Bid Window 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) in March this year will result in significant opportunities to use more energy storage technologies locally, says... →

Image of REVOV chief technology officer Felix von Bormann

FELIX VON BORMANN The most ideal chemistry for storing energy is by far the 2nd LiFe EV lithium ferro phosphate cells that we supply

Li-ion batteries to dominate energy storage market for the foreseeable future

By: Marleny Arnoldi 13th August 2021 An acceleration in the use of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and climate change mitigation efforts, growing population numbers and higher electricity demand per capita are all major drivers of electricity market growth and, resultantly, energy storage. To this end, University of the... →

Photo by Reuters
Lithium-ion batteries

From a coal-to-gas conversion to a microgrid factory, Eskom builds Komati’s just energy transaction case

By: Terence Creamer 3rd August 2021 State-owned electricity utility Eskom is hoping to transform the workshops at the Komati power station – identified as the flagship site for the piloting of a broader ‘just energy transition’ programme that couples decarbonisation with social upliftment – into a factory capable of manufacturing... →

A file photo of the Komati power station, which has generated electricity since 1961

Other procurement plans not affected by RMIPPPP deadline delay to end Sept – DMRE

By: Terence Creamer 2nd August 2021 The deadline for projects selected as preferred bids under the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP) to reach commercial close has been extended to September 30, from an initial deadline of the end of July. However, the Department of Mineral Resources and... →

Photo by Creamer Media Chief Photographer Donna Slater
Minister Gwede Mantashe announced the initial end-July commercial-close deadline on March 18

First South African city readies to seek private power generation

By: Bloomberg 1st July 2021 Ethekwini, the South African municipality that includes the port city of Durban, plans to seek initial proposals for the construction of 400 MW of power generation. The so-called request for information will be the first by a South African municipal area since the government said last year that... →

Hydropower important for storage, just transition to low-carbon electricity – IEA

By: Schalk Burger 30th June 2021 Hydropower's role in achieving a clean energy transition and in supporting the faster expansion of solar and wind generation capacity, is undervalued, the International Energy Agency's (IEA's) inaugural 'Hydropower Special Market' report states. Hydropower has a key role in the transition to... →

Time billing solutions in battery storage

By: Anna Moross 25th June 2021 Energy storage is becoming a critical part of business operations and a vital element of the economy, particularly in the manufacturing sector, says solar energy company Blockpower director Kyle Bohnsack. →

ENERGY STORAGE 250kVA, 1MWh containerised battery system in operation within Sabi Sands South Africa

Wind an energy storage game changer – association

By: Anna Moross 25th June 2021 Wind energy is important in driving potential demand for energy storage, says nonprofit organisation South African Wind and Energy Association (SAWEA) CEO Ntombifuthi Ntuli. →

KLIPHEUWEL WIND FARM The demand particularly pertains to . . . the hybridisation of wind energy, which allows for electricity to be generated from two or more sources with storage

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