Renewable energy systems for distributed generation in South Africa

Abstract

The South African Government is committed to universal access to electricity across South Africa. The South African Cabinet endorsed hybrid mini-grid systems as a potential means for non-grid and rural electrification. This Cabinet decision implies that the hybrid mini-grid demonstration projects are meant to provide the experience and information necessary to inform a nationwide implementation of hybrid mini-grid systems. In support of hybrid mini-grid systems this paper describes the research undertaken by the CSIR and its international partners, Garrad Hassan of the UK and the Netherlands Energy Research Foundation into the development of an analytical tool that could be used to assist in identifying viable renewable energy opportunities in areas with no prospect of grid electrification in the Eastern Cape Province using wind, hydro and biomass-powered remote area power supply systems. The analytical tool utilises Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and provides the basis to investigate various scenarios. As a consequence of this multi-national project a site for the pilot hybrid mini-grid demonstrator project was identified at the Hluleka Nature Reserve on the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape Province. This was followed by the second hybrid mini-grid at Lucingweni village. This paper further describes the CSIR’s role that lead to the physical implementation of South Africa’s hybrid mini-grid demonstrator systems. This paper also discusses the technical and non-technical lessons that were learnt in implementing hybrid mini-grid projects which can also be classified as distributed generation systems