Towards low-carbon energy state in South Africa: a survey of energy availability and sustainability

Abstract

The drive towards low-carbon economy in South Africa has necessitated alternative energy sources for electricity generation. More alternative sources have evolved in recent times with a view to making energy available to all and sundry. However, asides proliferation of these sources and extensions in form of micro-grids, the questions of increased availability and sustainability has become a growing concern. This survey investigates the state of the renewable energy system in South Africa with focus on the elements, which enhance energy availability and sustainability in the emerging transition to a lowcarbon economy. Case studies of other countries were reviewed and considered in the South African context. It was observed that energy availability on the journey to the low-carbon economy is influenced by physical, climatic, human, prosumer concept and political factors. In sustaining the transition and progressing to a green economy, intelligent use of data from power generation, transmission, and distribution sectors for intelligent data-driven decision-making processes was also found as essential. As part of the sustainability roadmap, efficiency at the end-user side of the value chain and a system thinking paradigm in the harvesting of renewable energy sources (RES) and formulation of supporting policies were also identified. In the overall, the study reveals that South Africa is replete with abundance of RES, however, their continuous availability and sustainability depends on joint interventions of both stakeholders and the government with viable environment for the growth of the sector.

Hybrid neurofuzzy wind power forecast and wind turbine location for embedded generation

“…Many manufacturing industries are associated with energy‐intensive processes and thus, consumes more energy at large scale compared to other sectors of a nation. As part of this panacea, embedded generation of electricity is now being encouraged by many countries among energy‐intensive industries such that energy generated at the national level can be distributed across other sectors, thus increasing energy availability and sustainability 4 . South Africa is one of the highly industrialized countries in Africa with manufacturing industries having contributed 4.4% to the country's economy in 2018 44 .…”

“…As part of this panacea, embedded generation of electricity is now being encouraged by many countries among energy-intensive industries such that energy generated at the national level can be distributed across other sectors, thus increasing energy availability and sustainability. 4 South Africa is one of the highly industrialized countries in Africa with manufacturing industries having contributed 4.4% to the country's economy in 2018. 44 However, manufacturing companies have been grossly affected by the increased frequency of load-shedding in the country.…”

“…1,2 Among the sub-Saharan African countries, South Africa occupies the upper strata among countries with high prospects for renewable energy resources in their energy mix. 3,4 South Africa largely depends on coal for power generation, which accounts for about 95% of the electricity generated in the country. 5 However, in the last decade, the country has experienced an increase in the growth of renewable energy resources in the national energy mix with wind and solar energy increasing in exploration.…”

“…Consequently, household air pollution from the use of solid biomass, coal and kerosene for cooking accounts for about 4 million death a year with women and children mostly affected 1,2 . Among the sub‐Saharan African countries, South Africa occupies the upper strata among countries with high prospects for renewable energy resources in their energy mix 3,4 . South Africa largely depends on coal for power generation, which accounts for about 95% of the electricity generated in the country 5 .…”

Load-shedding and the Declining Energy Availability Factor: A Case Study of a South African Power Station

“…One of the major issues in the energy sector in South Africa (SA) is political influence, since this affects both energy availability and sustainability (Adedeji et al, 2019). With reference to political influence, the issue of leadership is key, since the SA power utility is state owned and manipulation of appointments is rife, with little regard for the needs of the country.…”