Many people don’t consider what happens to solar panels after construction, and how they are kept in good condition to ensure maximum energy output. Cleaning solar panels forms a key part of the operation and maintenance performed on such systems during their life time. The frequency of cleans depends on a variety of factors, such as seasonal weather patterns and conditions at the solar PV system’s site location. Here’s a[…]
This past week, NrG attended a seminar on the Electricity Utility of the Future hosted by EE Publishers and the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) at Eskom’s Megawatt Park. One of the issues debated was the substantial levels of debt relating to Eskom’s generation assets, and how the debt could be managed in an effective manner going forward. Anton Eberhard, a leading energy expert and Professor at the[…]
There has been substantial investment in renewable energy technologies (RETs) over the past decade. This investment, coupled with an increase in the number of renewable energy projects developed, has contributed to the ongoing clean energy transition. Apart from the health and environmental benefits on offer, accelerating the process will contribute towards economic growth, creating new jobs and improving energy security through diversity of energy supply. Yet a lot of work[…]
Many of Africa’s citizens live in rural communities, located far away from the electricity grid. As a result, they frequently lack access to a regular power source. One means of addressing this issue is through the use of microgrid energy systems. Microgrids, when combined with batteries, can provide a cheap and reliable source of power. Considering that grid expansion is often not feasible for such areas, microgrids offer a cost-effective energy[…]
Following the completion of the long awaited signature on the latest round of projects under South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, or REI4P, the country’s renewable energy (RE) industry can breathe a sigh of relief. The projected R56 billion investment and 2 300MW of generation capacity to be added to the grid over 5 years will help fuel progress towards the country’s clean energy transition. One question worth[…]
Pumped storage hydropower is one of the oldest types of energy storage technology available today. It has the potential to play a key role in the energy grids of the future by complementing the intermittent nature of renewable energy technologies (RETs). Yet current engagement on the topic of energy storage tends to omit it from the conversation. Read about how the pumped storage can regain its place in the energy[…]
The global electric vehicle (EV) industry has experienced significant growth over the past year. This has helped fuel progress towards a cleaner transport sector. While the number of EVs on the road is still small compared to that of petrol or diesel driven vehicles, the progress made is promising. Another benefit of EVs is their potential to be a source of energy storage, complementing other energy technologies such as batteries[…]
This post draws heavily from an article on EE Publishers titled “Solar PV tracking can increase output” published on April 14th 2016. The article can be found here, and its recommended to read if you are unfamiliar with sun tracking technologies or solar principles in general. One key metric for PV performance is Yield, which when measured in kWh/kWp per year allows for an indication of how much energy the[…]
South Africa’s status as a water-scarce country has received a lot of attention lately. Many parts of the country face extensive drought and water shortages, with Cape Town facing the very real possibility of becoming the first major city in the world to run out of water completely. One solution to the water crisis is desalination, where seawater is used to produce clean water for drinking, washing, and other such[…]