SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY Minerals Council South Africa has a fuel cell on the roof of its headquarters in Johannesburg. periods, we need to store energy correctly. Energy and thermal storage enable us to save on electricity costs. Wind energy, for example, can be leveraged overnight, when you use the least amount of power as everyone is sleeping. The South African energy storage market is expected to continue to expand in the coming decades, growing as a key area of energy services in the future. The anticipated development in energy and thermal storage will create opportunities for further growth, and encourage involvement for manufacturers, suppliers and investors. Working with a well-developed global logistics chain and having long-term agreements with trusted suppliers, Wärtsilä‘s energy storage and thermal solutions match the existing demand in energy supply by integrating traditional and renewable power sources and optimising multiple generation assets. Integrated energy mix solutions While becoming a global leader in energy supply may seem ambitious, Wärtsilä affirms that it’s possible for the country to reach a complete renewable-energy system. Achieving this will require an energy transition that is supported by thermal balancing, a mix of energy technologies and effective battery-energy solutions. One of the ways in which Wärtsilä enhances the energy lifecycle and integrates renewables is through the GEMS Digital Energy Platform. The software suite monitors, controls and optimises energy systems in realtime. It can also determine what type of generation is needed at a particular moment, whether it be renewables, energy storage or engines. In the case that a cloud momentarily obscures the sun, GEMS can prompt the system to rapidly release energy stored in batteries. This ensures that consumers have energy stored for when they need it the most – and the least – and coincides with COP's objective for reduced carbon emissions. Government and stakeholder support Wärtsilä is committed to enabling South Africa’s decarbonisation objectives. These can be seen in the South African energy mix, which comprise coal, renewables, gas, hydroelectric and nuclear power. In alignment with the local zero-carbon emission goals, green hydrogen is one of the sources that will provide several opportunities for sustainable energy for the region. Unlike most hydrogen that is produced from natural gas, green hydrogen is extracted from water and has the capacity to be stored more easily, and for a prolonged time, compared to other renewable resources. As a result, it positively contributes to and promotes energy security. In support of low-carbon production, industry stakeholders will need to engage with government and compile policy reviews and re-evaluation. The increase in investment in the energy mix and distributedgeneration capacity will allow for effective operation on the demand and supply of electricity. If the energy sector can build equilibrium in this regard, South Africa will ultimately stand a chance of becoming a supplier in green hydrogen and energy storage and play a more dominant role as a global competitor in energy supply. About Wärtsilä At Wärtsilä, energy storage plays a key role in the company's vision towards a 100% renewable grid. Wärtsilä has built, operated and maintained baseload power plants in Africa for many years, providing electricity to national grids, mining and industrial clients requiring security of supply. Wärtsilä power plants are the ideal solution for decentralised power production and an attractive alternative to the conventional model of centralised power plants. Wärtsilä power plants can be used for base-load applications or for peak-load needs or to complement renewable energy. The company’s engines can handle liquid fuels such as HFO/LSHS, LFO, LBF or natural gas. Versatile dual-fuel engines can switch between liquid fuel and gas online. With regards to researching hydrogen as a fuel, Wärtsilä is developing the combustion process in its engines to enable them to burn 100% hydrogen, and engines have been tested with blends of up to 25% hydrogen and 75% natural gas. 34 | www.opportunityonline.co.za
Making renewable energy accessible Unlocking sustainable economic development through Renewable Energy across Africa and beyond. SolarTurtle is an ecosystem company. Our vision is to promote, educate and aid in making renewable green energy more accessible to traders and small business entrepreneurs. We envision changing the lives of women and youth entrepreneurs, two critical and under-developed sectors of the economy. Both of these sectors could become critical employment generators, especially in the post-Covid-19 era. Furthermore, we are at a stage where we are developing cold storage for off-grid, emerging farmers. No wastage and a sustainable income. We are addressing six of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, namely: • Zero hunger • No poverty • Affordable clean energy • Reduced inequality • Industry innovation and infrastructure • Promote sustained, inclusive economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. We believe that naturally, women are nurturers of our society, who, when empowered, run sustainable green enterprises that benefit their entire community. Our business model currently has built-in support and software systems that makes it easier for aspiring young people to become the social and green entrepreneurs the African continent needs. Connecting off-grid communities to reliable, mobile energy sources will create untold business opportunities for micro entrepreneurs, especially those in rural areas, peri-urban and in the informal sector. At SolarTurtle we have always taken pride in the quality of our work, the experience and professionalism we bring, and the robustness of our values and behaviours. We are united by a common purpose to “Inspire Renewable Energy Development across Africa”. Our vision To help people help themselves. Our aim is not-for-profit but to create a business that gets people to realise that if they want to change the world, they should do it themselves – allowing them to take care of themselves and their community. This will result a brighter future for all by alleviating poverty and creating a greener future. It comes down to a choice. Either you believe anything is possible and the state of the world can change for the better, or you resign yourself to the fact that there’s nothing you can do. Arthur C Clark wrote, “When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is probably very wrong.” The same principle applies to life. If you believe that you can’t make a difference then you won’t. It takes visionaries to point out that anything is possible. As long as you believe that there is a way you, will never stop looking for it. Objectives Promote women-empowerment SolarTurtle aims to provide women with the opportunity to run green enterprises, as carers of the community. By empowering women to run businesses, we are allowing them to add value to their communities, to be inspiring role models and to take care of our future generations. Promote youth-empowerment SolarTurtle aims to provide youth with the opportunity to run green enterprises, as the youth are the future of their communities and our country. By empowering youth to run businesses, we are equipping them with the tools and experience to become inspiring social green entrepreneurs, thus allowing them not to be held down by past limitations and allowing them to create their own inspiring greener futures. Promote green economy By starting micro-utility enterprises in rural and informal settlements, a tangible difference can be made for people who still have to live in the dark. By exploiting the versatility of renewable energy and a simple business model, these micro-utility businesses can be started across Sub-Saharan Africa. SolarTurtle offers less privileged communities products required to launch their own small mobile-power station businesses, giving them the power to empower themselves and create a greener future for us all. Contact: Lungelwa Tyali CEO: 0723219070 | Joeanne 0435550860 or 0795081326 | Email to: info@solarturtlesa.co.za | Website: www.solarturtlesa.co.za
