Page 43 - Energize April 2022

VIEWS AND OPINION

nuclear or coal powered generation. generation can be further encouraged by streamlining of the remaining approved processes.
Solar generation is only available during Own generation reserve capacity can be made available on demand by the
peak daylight hours and wind generation implementation of a bidding and dispatch system between the own generation plant owner
varies significantly. The low hanging fruit and utility. This could be like the Eskom Virtual Power Station (VPS) scheme which operated
of small scale solar photovoltaic (PV) effectively from 2013 to 2017. For maximum benefit, the scheme should be amended to
generation on roofs and carports is being allow power export. This would make dispatchable capacity available to the benefit of the
widely implemented. This together with plant owner and utility. No generating plant capital cost would need to be borne by the
the successful South African Renewable consumer.
Independent Power Producer (REIPP) The shortfall in morning and evening peak periods can be further mitigated by energy
programme has reduced the daytime storage solutions. Excess generation capacity is required to charge storage systems, which
requirement for traditional generation results in high system cost as both the generation capacity and energy storage system cost
which makes the morning and evening are incurred. Energy storage systems include battery energy storage systems (BESS) with
peaks even more onerous. This shortfall GWh range systems being implemented internationally, concentrated solar power (CSP)
needs to be supplied using flexible, with molten salt energy storage, and pumped hydro storage using a high and low reservoir
dispatchable generation or stored energy together with various mechanical and compressed energy storage systems.
to avoid load shedding. Pumped hydro storage is attractive but most good sites in South Africa have been
South Africa has recognised the developed. The storage systems are expensive and in high demand as individual countries
valuable role which industrial and strive to reduce emissions.
commercial consumers can play through
own generation. This supplements utility The way forward
generation and can contribute to flattening Electricity supply always needs to be matched to electricity demand to avoid the necessity
the morning and evening peaks. The for load shedding. Reserve capacity is required to compensate for generation plant which
increase by the National Energy Regulator is unavailable due to fault or maintenance. In addition, reserve capacity is required at
of South Africa (Nersa) of the limit for own times when solar and wind powered generation are delivering less than predicted due to
generation to 100MW without requiring a seasonal and weather conditions. The reserve utility-scale peaking and baseload capacity
generation license, allows meaningful own to provide a stable grid without load shedding needs to be facilitated by the government. A
generation development by industrial and gas-to-power programme with guaranteed monthly dispatch will contribute substantially by
commercial consumers. It is anticipated allowing Independent Power Producers (IPP) to contract cost-effective long term gas supply
that cost effective liquefied natural gas agreements.
(LNG) will become generally available Power capacity issues and load shedding have been with South Africa since 2008. In
soon. Gas generation is clean, with 60% addition, three rounds of peaking/reserve power bids have been called since 2016 without
of the Eskom generation carbon footprint. any additional capacity being contracted. It is essential that the government accepts and acts
This reduces further to 40% of the Eskom on their responsibility to facilitate construction of the required reserve capacity immediately.
footprint if effective use is made of waste The government owns grid resilience and should act accordingly.
heat for process hot water, steam and
direct heating. The adoption of own Send your comments to rogerl@nowmedia.co.za