Eskom is by far the largest of South Africa’s many state owned companies. This near monopoly power utility is in crisis. It’s the single largest threat to South Africa’s economy, according to a former minister of finance. Wits Business School’s Adjunct Prof. Rod Crompton explains why this is the case and what can be done. […]
Using the established multi-year price determination (MYPD) application system, Eskom has applied to the national energy regulator, Nersa, for tariff increases in excess of three-times the current inflation rate for the next three successive years. In response, Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) has made the following submission to Nersa regarding the power utility’s fourth multi-year price […]
Policy debates in South Africa’s energy sector are becoming increasingly polarised, but it is critical to ensure broad participation if we want to re-imagine the energy sector and solve the country’s energy crisis, argued experts at a recent discussion hosted by the UCT GSB in conjunction with Power Futures South Africa. Breaking up Eskom’s vertically […]
. That Eskom needs to be restructured is no longer in question. In its current form, the organisation poses a systemic risk to the South African economy and is “too big to fail”. The real question is what form this restructuring should take. For sure, the generation assets need to be separated from the transmission […]
Electrical power generation can make use of several biomass processes, including direct combustion, combustion of gas derived from fermentation or gasification, and combustion of pyrolysis fuel. Thermal gasification and pyrolysis are seen as the most promising technologies for the generation of electricity from biomass. Biofuels are fuels produced directly or indirectly from organic material or […]
. Nedbank lived up to its slogan as the “green” bank in a decision to withdraw its funding of two proposed new coal-fired power stations in South Africa, Thabametsi and Khanyisa. This decision fits with the banking group’s commitment to “green” funding, responsible lending and supporting sustainability initiatives. The bank says its initial proposal for […]
MV distribution networks generally make use of uninsulated conductors strung between poles of varying materials. In many areas there is a risk of failure and consequent environmental damage with bare conductors. Insulated conductor systems for medium and high voltage have been developed to reduce risks and have proved to be successful in many areas. […]
Smart grid is on the agenda of almost every utility in the world today. A true smart grid starts with the automation of utilities distribution networks and a key building block for the automation of distribution networks is reclosers. What do reclosers need to provide this building block? Power utilities worldwide face similar challenges every […]
Development of electrical energy storage technology and applications in the electrical energy sector is moving ahead in leaps and bounds. All sectors are affected, from generation to consumption, and technology is advancing rapidly towards larger and larger network and grid installations, while at the same time reducing the cost of smaller behind-the-meter installations. Energy storage […]
Following a public-wide consultation, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Energy has adopted the draft IRP 2018. In this process the committee received around 41 written submissions, including 38 requests to make oral submissions. The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) notes that some of the key submissions made by the association before the committee in […]
