ENERGY Change is coming.
ENERGY Change is coming. The 100kW natural gas baseload fuel cell that powers the offices of Minerals Council SA in Johannesburg was the first of its kind in Africa. The fuel cell was made by Fuji Electric. Credit: Minerals Council SA generation supply quotas even during prolonged periods of low wind or solar radiation. Efficient storage technology is essential to absorbing this excess and ensuring a constant output of dispatchable power. Such considerations are especially crucial for the RMIPPPP bid-winning projects, as the plan stipulates that the power generated must be available at full capacity from 05h30 to 21h00 daily. Fourie explains that Scatec’s own RMIPPPP bid-winning scheme to supply 150MW via three massive solar arrays in the Northern Cape is a good example of this. The ambitious renewables-only project will see around one-million individual solar panels set across a 10km-wide site and will be colocated with advanced storage facilities utilising lithium ion (Li-ion) battery technology. Li-ion batteries are comparatively small (only hydrogen and helium-based ones are smaller), which allows such facilities to achieve a favourable ratio of charge and voltage storage relative to volume and space requirements. “Factor in the recent widespread surge in industrialisation of these technologies and the constantly decreasing prices due to the effects of economies of scale, and we have a recipe for fully feasible renewable energy, that is cost-competitive with traditional energy sources for the first time in South Africa." Fourie believes that governments and corporates alike are pivoting their efforts towards cutting-edge combinations of renewables and battery storage tech, and how best to procure these for the benefit of people and environments. “In South Africa this will result in an appreciable closing of the energy gap – currently a significant threat to our economic stability – as well as a big step towards our commitment to global climate goals like the UN’s Paris Agreement, whose imperatives urge us to reduce carbon emissions, curb global warming, and promote a cleaner, greener Earth," concludes Fourie. ABOUT SCATEC Scatec is a renewable power producer, delivering affordable and clean energy worldwide. Scatec develops, builds, owns and operates solar, wind and hydropower plants and storage solutions. Scatec has more than 3.5GW in operation and under construction on four continents and more than 500 employees. The company is targeting 15GW capacity in operation or under construction by the end of 2025. Scatec is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, and is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SCATC. Jan Fourie, GM Sub-Saharan Africa, Scatec 22 | www.opportunityonline.co.za
