ADVERTORIAL
Power to the people Why decentralized renewable energy should become the main source of power and bring electricity to every household in South Africa
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offline for more than 7 months, resulting in widespread load shedding. Recent trends in the United States of America propose mainstreaming decentralised power generation, or distributed generation, defined as electricity produced locally from dispersed small-scale generators (20 megawatts or less), situated close to the point of electricity consumption. Eskom has already bought into decentralized power generation through its Solar Home System (SHS), however these systems are so small, that they generally do not meet the needs of the power users. The most cost effective way In South Africa, “over four million of “generating” electricity households do not cook with electricity is to reduce energy demand and two million households rely on – Eskom’s rebate system to promote the installation candles for lighting,” according of solar-powered geysers, to the study by Citizens United for swopping incandescent Renewable Energies and Sustainability light bulbs for compact (CURES). The study, released in March fluorescent lamps, and the incentive schemes where 2009, states that there are 2,5 million electrical heaters and households in South Africa without stoves could be exchanged electricity. for gas equivalents, has illustrated South Africa’s ability to quickly solve energy challenges. against nuclear energy, demonstrated in the Critics say that this is true of Eskom as streets of Tokyo, as the effects of nuclear long as they are being pressurized. South fallout started to be felt. Africans need to be courageous and move Developed nations such as Japan and France, towards a “hybrid energy mix”. This starts typically have a heavy reliance on nuclear with understanding one’s energy need, and energy generation. However, recent failures then matching this with suitable renewable to guarantee the delivery of clean safe power energy sources and delivery mechanisms. to homes and industries has put a spotlight on One such example is being pioneered by the risks associated with centralized energy Specialized Solar Systems in George, “mega-generation”. Closer to home, a single where they install “micro grid electricity 8cm “loose bolt” which found its way into generation systems” at a household level the rotor of Unit 1 of the Koeberg Nuclear in rural areas. These micro-grids meet Power Station Unit 1 in November 2005, a significant portion of the load demand cost R150 million to repair and took the Unit orldwide interest in renewable sources of energy is at an all time peak since the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan was damaged by an earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. German voters elected the Green Party to power during the same month, and civil society protested in the streets against nuclear energy, demanding leaders support the development of renewable energy resources. Last month, the normally docile Japanese took up the call
and buy time for larger electrical supplies to come on stream. The next phase is at a village-scale micro-generation, where every household participates in saving electricity, as well as generating electricity, with rooftop photo-voltaic panels, supplemented with strategically placed wind turbines, bio-gas digesters and / or hydro-electric generators. A number of factors favour decentralized generation of electricity above remote, centralized energy development: Increasingly cost-effective: Continuous decline in the cost of technology such as PV panels, and lower transmission costs due to proximity; Help meet the country’s renewable energy targets and carbon credits; Provides local, equitable economic benefits: Stimulate local economic development and create clean energy jobs; Minimized environmental impact: Re-use of existing roof structures, use of disturbed and fragmented lands, minimal transmission lines required. Generation can be brought on line quickly: No need for new transmission lines, simple financial models (public-private partnerships), small-scale installed in months rather than years. Increased energy security: Deployed close to electrical demand, widespread distribution with less risk of disruption, and resulting stable electricity prices. Fears that energy utilities could lose their valuable income stream are allayed by the fact that these systems can be metered. Even at the smallest scale, pre-paid meters are installed to control the activation, deactivation thus securing income streams for investors, local municipalities and utilities. For more information contact Nik Wullschleger at BolandEnviro 023 347 0336.
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