Electrical Power & Protection


The cleanest energy is that which we’re not wasting or not using

June 2024 Electrical Power & Protection

As South Africa continues to face a shortage of energy production, there is one persistent element of the energy mix to be considered: energy waste. Addressing delegates at this year’s Enlit 2024 event held at the CTICC in Cape Town, Vladimir Milovanovic, vice president of Power Systems, Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric noted that the cleanest energy is that which we are not wasting, or ideally not using, due to increased efficiency of our grid management systems.

In his talk on ‘Grids of the Future’, Milovanovic pointed out that if the country continues to waste energy, it will negate the strides made in reaching both its sustainability and energy availability goals. “Energy efficiency using less, spending less, and emitting less need to be key points of focus,” he noted.

“To ensure that we face these disruptions effectively, we must address aging infrastructure and upskill and support the workforce maintaining it. This is particularly important if one considers that most of the country’s population is not privileged enough to install alternative energy resources such as rooftop solar panels and will continue to rely on the grid. Enabling Distribution System Operators (DSOs) like municipalities to minimise technical losses, while enabling them to identify and reduce non-technical losses, will go a long way towards ensuring that they are able to continue to deliver services to the customers, while ensuring their revenue streams remain healthy and intact,” said Milovanovic.

Speaking on the rise of the country’s prosumer market, he noted that with the passing of the Electricity Regulation Amendment (ERA) Bill, DSOs will have to effectively accommodate prosumers who are both supplying and consuming energy.


Vladimir Milovanovic, vice president of Power Systems, Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric.

“The passing of the bill is a significant development for South Africa. Already, loadshedding has compelled South Africans to become prosumers much sooner than expected. It is important that DSOs take this into account and enable consumers with surplus energy to sell it back the network.

“Furthermore, DSOs must have the capability to efficiently integrate this surplus energy, which forms part of distributed energy resources (DERs). Similarly, to consumers this means DSOs must implement equipment such as smart meters, connected devices, and remote terminal units (RTUs) in substations. This infrastructure, together with smart grid digital management systems, will provide DSOs with the flexibility to integrate the DERs and service their customers,” he explained.

“We must remember that despite the rise of prosumers, the country still depends on DSOs and their distribution infrastructure. DSOs need to remain in a position to maintain and expand their infrastructure to cater to a changing energy landscape,” he concluded.


Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Measuring and analysing PV circuit performance
Comtest Electrical Power & Protection
Regardless of the test method, you must know the plane of array irradiance and cell temperature to evaluate PV circuit performance. Proper sensor types and test methods like the Fluke Solmetric PVA 15i-V curve tracer should be used for reliable results.

Read more...
Enabling Africa’s solar potential – lighting the way with technology
Electrical Power & Protection
As the global population continues to grow, energy demand also rises. ABB can help bridge the gap throughout the renewable power value chain, including consulting, generation, storage, transmission, monitoring, control and optimisation.

Read more...
AES and the great decarbonisation debate
Electrical Power & Protection
Although many manufacturing and industrial companies have objectives to reduce the use of fossil fuels, there are not yet any silver bullets in the green fuel space. Supply and logistics constraints, high costs and technological limitations are just some of the challenges encountered by AES, as they assist an increasing number of clients to investigate the use of more environmentally sustainable, lower carbon fuel alternatives, thereby obviating the requirement to pay

Read more...
Distributed servo drive system with extended voltage range and additional braking option
Beckhoff Automation Electrical Power & Protection
Beckhoff’s AMP8620 supply module and AMP8805 distribution module are now also available with an extended voltage range for the AMP8000 distributed servo drive system.

Read more...
Data acquisition modules
Vepac Electronics Electrical Power & Protection
The D1200 current input modules from Vepac include one discrete digital input and two open-collector digital outputs for monitoring On/Off signals or controlling solid-state relays and annunciators. The digital outputs can also be programmed to operate as HI/LO alarm outputs based on the input current level.

Read more...
Grid management systems are the backbone of modern T&D networks
ACTOM Electrical Machines Electrical Power & Protection
Grid management systems are the linchpin of modern transmission and distribution networks, ensuring their reliable and efficient operation.

Read more...
Electrical power solutions from TRAFO
Electrical Power & Protection
Having rapidly carved a niche in dry-type transformer applications in Africa, Trafo Power Solutions has steadily grown its offerings, and now sees a future as a leading provider of electrical power solutions. ...

Read more...
Proactive maintenance for long-term sustainability
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
: Businesses should prioritise long-term sustainability by implementing proactive maintenance strategies, acknowledging the strategic value of investing in maintenance and after-sales support

Read more...
Boiler update at food processing plant transforms production process
Electrical Power & Protection
The replacement of 78 year-old boilers at a Western Cape food processing plant by Associated Energy Services has not only proven to be a worthwhile investment for the client, but has transformed its entire production process.

Read more...
Three financing trends driving clean energy in the Global South
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
The Global South is at a critical juncture in its energy transition, grappling with challenges that demand immediate action. To finance its energy targets, the World Economic Forum’s Network to Mobilise Clean Energy Investment in emerging markets and developing economies has developed a playbook of over 100 financing mechanisms and de-risking tools that have successfully helped narrow the clean energy financing gap in emerging and developing economies.

Read more...