The efficiency of electrochemical and hydraulic storage systems, and the integration of non-programmable renewables in the national electric systems of several sub-Saharan countries is a priority for Africa. In this respect, CESI has recently analyzed the growing penetration of wind and photovoltaic technology over the medium and long term (Horizon 2025 and 2030), assessing its impact on the reliability, durability, and efficiency of electric systems.
In this context, the exploitation of the vast potential of renewable energy in sub-Saharan countries can be driven with the development of new cross-frontier interconnections as a key strategic driver for the exportation of energy towards areas that lack such resources and in which the cost of energy is consequently higher.
In mid-June 2022, at the South Africa Conference, CESI presented a number of studies that the Group is conducting for RES4Africa on the issue of the penetration of renewables in the South African electric system. The idea is to support an increase of renewables through geospatial RES modelling, keeping in mind unbundling costs related to production, transmission and distribution networks, and the sale of energy.
Together with the presentation of the case studies most emblematic of the “revised” energy sector and the integration of renewables, CESI presented a geospatial analysis (with a resolution greater than 5×5 kilometers) that can be used to explore the value of green energy sources throughout South Africa. The objective is to support the identification of the most appropriate network connection options and opportunities to plan the layout of the network.