BATTERY
STORAGE
Is key for continuity of supply.
Problem
Load Shedding Since 2015
South Africa has had to endure ongoing and increasing intermittent load shedding of the last 7 years which is doubtful to change any time soon. Load Shedding is the result of a shortage of supply and can only be fixed with the addition of new generation.
New generation can be derived from Coal, Gas, Solar, Wind, Nuclear, Gasification and more. The first most practical mechanism for generating electricity in Frankfort is Solar as demonstrated by the FFR projects in Tweeling, Frankfort and soon-to-be Villiers.
The major concern with renewable energy like solar is its availability. This project's focus is to address the energy storage component required to utilise new renewable generation for reducing load shedding and its impact on the community.
SOLAR
STEPS
BATTERY
Tweeling
done
1
Frankfort
in process
Frankfort
done
2
Villiers
to follow
Villiers
in process
3
Tweeling
to follow
Solution
14MWh Lithium-Polymer Battery
Short-term energy storage to store renewable energy AND grid power as contractually available in times which fall outside of loadshedding hours. This energy can then be utilised to minimize loadshedding.
The proposed solution for utilising Frankfort's solar and taking the town off of loadshedding up to stage 4 is a 14MWh LiPo battery deployed in phases.
It's estimated to take up about a hectare of space. It would save residences and businesses millions in Diesel costs and reinstate much-needed security in the continuity of supply to promote economic activity and possibly attract neighbouring businesses.
Storage like this comes at a great capital cost but when done right, when done together (as an entire community), might just unlock further expansion of localised renewable energy generation which will again reduce the costs of energy so supplied by the national grid.
Stakeholders
End User
For now participating end users will be connected to the storage and will experience reduced load shedding. In time external investors may be catered for to expand the program.
The target stakeholder for this project is the end user. If every end user is willing to participate then the project can be done at reduced costs (when compared to individual solutions) and the asset then belongs to the contributing end users. This would require a capital contribution from each end user as described in the options below. The capital contribution has been calculated from the supply point metered data for the past 4 years.
Options
Option 1
Capital Investment
100% of the pro rata capital investment
The capital investment would cover the proportionate design, supply, install and commissioning of the battery storage system.
Monthly operational fee
The monthly operational fee would cover
the insurance
the roundtrip efficiency losses
and the maintenance allowance.
Energy Cost
The energy consumed by each community member at the member's location will still attract only the approved NERSA tariff.
Option 2
Capital Investment
50% of the pro rata capital investment
The capital investment would cover the proportionate design, supply, install and commissioning of the battery storage system. The remaining 50% will be obtained through individual commercial finance.
Monthly operational fee
The monthly operational fee would cover
the insurance,
the roundtrip efficiency losses,
the maintenance allowance,
and the payback of the loan.
Energy Cost
The energy consumed by each community member at the member's location will still attract only the approved NERSA tariff.
Collaborative Projects
Sign-up
The economies of scale suggest that a community storage solution would be considerably cheaper than individual storage solutions.
By combining the energy requirements per zone we scoped a community energy storage solution using Lithium Ion Battery technology. We then calculated your financial contribution for such a community storage solution by evaluating your demand and energy consumption from the past 4 years.
To see the financial contribution required for your supply point please use your meter number or account number to Lookup the cost on our Lookup Application.
For us to commence with the project and determine the most financially feasible option to finance the project we need you to indicate your willingness to participate or not. So be sure to select your option of choice on the Lookup Application. No participation is also an option.
Community members only pay for their own individual consumption demand and energy use, to make it fair. No one will subsidize anybody else.
End of battery life
After 8 - 10 years
The community will have the option to either replace the batteries OR sell the assets and receive the proceeds.