The pace of change in the energy provision and storage market has sped up immensely over the last two decades with renewable energy from wind and solar really coming to the fore.
The world is shifting away from burning fossil fuels as we battle with looming climate change effects and a finite supply.
BUT, it seems as though South Africa did not get the message below:
Most Forward Thinking Countries; “We have an energy system which is clean, decentralised, de-carbonised and AI Controlled”
South Africa; “We have a crisis!”
According to the UK’s Utility Bidder; “The country on our list which relies the most heavily on coal is South Africa, as it makes up 73% of the nation’s total energy supply. This is largely because coal is one of the most affordable fuel sources, but also due to a lack of real alternatives in the country too. South Africa is also one of the world’s biggest exporters of coal.”
According to a 2022 CSIR study, South Africa’s contribution of renewable energy technologies (wind, solar PV and CSP) increased in 2022 to a total of 6.2 GW installed capacity and provided 7.3% of the total energy mix.
South Africa’s huge reliance on one fossil fuel is contributing immensely to what is becoming a major fear in everyone’s lives – Grid Collapse. The time to start shifting the energy mix was three decades ago and I, for one, sincerely doubt that we can reverse that trend and stop looming Grid Collapse within one, two, three or even ten years.
On the back of COVID devastating business which was quickly followed by increasing load shedding and soaring prices for food that started killing small business, leading to rising liquidations – one can see that the ability and appetite to spend money on renewable energy has been severely curtailed as ordinary people struggle to just put food on the table.
Utility Bidder’s 2021 survey also found that the countries that use the most renewable/alternative energy are:
Hydro – Norway (45% of total supply) – Norway has the biggest share of hydro energy by some distance, making up 45% of its total energy supply (compared to Switzerland in second with 13%). The country is known for being experts in the field of hydroelectricity, with calls for it to be powered principally by hydro starting as early as 1892! Part of the reason Norway relies so heavily on hydropower is due to its geography, with many steep valleys and rivers, as well as increased rainfall due to climate change.
Biofuels and waste – Brazil (32.1% of total supply) – Now looking at the more sustainable sources of energy, it was Brazil that had the biggest share of biofuels and waste energy, with 32.1% (just 0.1% more than Finland). Brazil is the second-largest producer of ethanol fuel and is an industry leader, with its sugarcane-based ethanol being touted as the most successful alternative fuel to date, based on advanced agri-industrial technology.
Wind, solar, etc. – New Zealand (25% of total supply) – Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar make up a quarter of New Zealand’s energy supply and have been on the increase in recent years. Situated in the path of the ‘Roaring Forties’, a set of strong and constant westerly winds, the nation is perfectly positioned for wind power and enjoys plenty of sunshine for solar energy too, as well as having an increasing market for solar hot water heating systems too.
Norways dominant position is not as a result of the last three decades but goes back much further than that to the late 1800’s when the Norwegians began harvesting energy from the many rivers that cascade into its fjords.
Contrary to most people’s thinking the countries with the highest use of renewable energy are cold countries with few hours of sunlight. Countries such as Norway, Iceland and Sweden are all hovering around the 100% mark for renewable energy.
In contrast the countries that use the most fossil fuels are China, United States, India, Russia and Japan. Thankfully South Africa does NOT make the Top 20 list of these offenders…. BUT our reliance on Coal mainly will become a massive problem in the near future as pressure is brought to bear on us to switch to cleaner energy sources.
A study by Investopedia names the Top 5 Countries producing Solar Power as:
China – In 2020, according to China’s National Energy Administration, the country installed more than 48 GW of photovoltaic (PV) capacity 2020, bringing its total installed capacity to 253,6 GW.
European Union – The total installed PV power capacity in the European Union surpassed 138 GW in 2020. Almost 55% were residential and commercial rooftop installations. The PV market in the European Union was declining for six years before the trend reversed in 2018.
United States – The total new installed capacity for 2020 came in at 19,7 GW, which brought the U.S. to 95 GW of cumulative installed capacity.
Vietnam – According to the International Energy Agency report in 2021, Vietnam ranks as a 2020 leader in solar energy advances with an estimated 11,1 GW.
Japan – As one of the most densely populated countries in the world, Japan has limited space to deploy solar panels. Despite this, Japan is still among the world’s leaders in total solar energy produced, with 8,7 GW of new installed capacity in 2020.
As a visual representation below have a look at Europe’s largest battery energy storage system, Pillswood in Hull – a project by Harmony Energy installation currently comprises 78 Tesla Megapacks providing a capacity of 200 WHh – enough to power around 300 000 homes for 2 hours.
The installation also plays a vital part in stabilising the grid whenever there is a ‘wobble’ off of 50 Hertz.
Time Lapse of a Clean Build:
Inside a South African Coal Station:
The Tesla Megapack:
Just imagine a couple of these Tesla Megapacks right next to each sub station in Gqeberha – like in the proposed Parsons Power Park installation HERE.
Alan Straton
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