South Africa’s Department of Energy endorsed the implementation of smart grid technologies as the solution to rising energy demands at an event held on Tuesday by the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI).
Smart grid technology includes benefits such as reduced peak demand, lower electricity rates, increased integration of large-scale renewable energy systems and quicker restoration of electricity after power disturbances and outages.
State-owned SANEDI will address the country’s rising energy needs through conducting research and development, and promoting sustainable solutions in areas such as energy efficiency, green transport and advanced fossil fuels. Thus far, it has implemented smart grids in ten municipalities.
Delivering Minister of Energy Jeff Radebe’s remarks at the event, Deputy Director-General for Clean Energy, Mokgadi Modise, emphasized the importance of carrying out testing, technology improvements, consumer education, development of standards and regulations and information sharing between projects during the the transition period to smart grid technologies.
“With the Fourth Industrial Revolution advancing faster, we too need to move with speed to intensify the deployment of smart grids. The smart grid represents an unprecedented opportunity to move the energy industry into a new era of reliability, availability and efficiency that will contribute to our economic and environmental health,” Modise said.
