Energy Storage Archives - AfricaBusiness.com

27Jun

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Energy

Africa: With increased power must come increased storage capacity

By Kieran Whyte, Partner, Head of the Energy. Mining & Infrastructure Industry Group, Baker McKenzie Johannesburg The increased generation of renewable power requires increased energy storage capacity. According to Baker McKenzie's Report - Battery Storage: A Global Enabler of the Energy Transition, lithium-ion batteries take up the majority of new energy storage capacity, both installed and under construction, with older battery technologies being replaced or retained only for smaller projects. However, with costs declining, private investors are entering the market and bringing new business models to commercialize the technologies. Governments of countries with a high share of renewable energy, or looking to facilitate development of the same, have seen the need to support energy st...

Hybrid solutions are the most effective way to deliver reliable clean power to remote off-grid mining operations in Africa

10Nov

By Tarik SfendlaNo Comments

Hybrid solutions are the most effective way to deliver reliable clean power to remote off-grid mining operations in Africa

Op-ed by Tarik Sfendla, Market Development Manager, Africa chez Wärtsilä Energy Business The energy markets are undergoing a massive transformation as governments around the world transition away from fossil fuels towards the integration of renewable energy. This trend is clearly visible in the mining industry as demonstrated by recent power projects in South America and in Australia. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, in 2018, mines purchased 1 GW of renewable energy generation assets; this amount tripled to reach approximately 3.5 GW in 2019, 90% of which consist of hybrid solutions. Electricity demand for the mining industry is expected to increase significantly in the coming years as increased mine depth, harder rock and greater water desalination needs lead to higher energy in...

Energy storage technology will make blackouts in Africa ancient history

15Jun

By Risto PaldaniusNo Comments

Energy, Green Energy

Energy storage technology will make blackouts in Africa ancient history

A shift from Africa’s traditional approach to power generation is needed to unleash the continent’s clean energy potential and secure an African future free from blackouts. A strategy centred around energy storage and flexible power systems will be the key to guaranteeing the reliability of a high-renewable grid, while also lowering the cost of electricity for Africans. As Africa’s economies and populations steadily grow, so too does the demand for reliable electricity. Simply put, new power plants need to be built, and the reliability of electricity systems needs to be vastly improved. But here is the challenge: How can African countries build an electrical system that can both integrate a large amount of inexpensive but intermittent renewable energy, while at the same time ensure resilie...

9Aug

By Harry ValentineNo Comments

Energy, Main, South Africa News

Future Options to Store Energy near Cape Town’s City Centre

Electric power arrived at Cape Town around 1900 with the construction of a coal-fired, steam-driven power station located near the Victoria and Alfred dockyard area. The location offered 2-advantages in that the power station was close to the unloading area of coal ships that could sail from Durban. The second advantage was that close proximity to the sea allowed for seawater cooling of the exhaust-steam condensers. For several years, City of Cape Town owned that power station that closed in 1965 and ended electric trolleybus operation in the city. Table Mountain Pumped Storage: Very recently, City of Cape Town officials have expressed interest in once again operating a power station. At the present time, the topography of Cape Town offers an option to introduce pumped hydraulic energy s...