Does South Africa need a battery energy storage system?

Despite a clear need for reliable energy solutions, South Africa’s uptake of grid-connected storage like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) must be faster and more coordinated, despite the recent Commercial Operation of some large-scale front-of-the-meter BESS.

Could South Africa play a big role in the global battery value chain?

South Africa could play a big role in the global battery value chain, said the report. Image: South Africa Tourism. South Africa could play a big role in the global battery value chain with the potential for 10-15GWh of domestic demand for battery energy storage by 2030, according to a report from the World Bank.

What is behind the meter and how can it help South Africa?

While both are crucial to South Africa’s energy transition, behind-the-meter solutions provide immediate relief to the country’s energy constraints. In-front-of-the-meter projects are key to meeting actual energy transition targets and reducing emissions.

Does South Africa have a battery supply chain?

Europe, the US and Korea each hold 10% or less of the supply chain for some battery metals and cells, according to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA). South Africa’s role in this landscape is primarily as an exporter of raw materials. Only about 10% of the country’s vanadium is used domestically, the rest is exported, says Nikomarov.

Can South Africa produce a battery?

The Netherlands is the primary destination for South Africa’s ferro-alloys and ferro-vanadium exports, while South Korea is a growing market for these products. South Africa lacks the manufacturing capabilities for the production of battery storage. It remains to be proven whether such an activity would be competitive domestically, says Nikomarov.

Does South Africa have a problem with battery recycling?

South Africa’s lack of domestic recycling infrastructure and specific regulations to manage battery waste is a pressing concern, according to Hector King, power division product manager at Dartcom, a network components distributor.