Sujen Balakisson | Manager | Business Development | Wärtsilä Africa | mail me |
In the past few years, we’ve seen the increase of wind and solar power generation as a cost-effective substitute for fossil fuels.
Solar power is notorious as a go-to option and the fastest-growing energy source, playing a critical role to achieving a sustainable carbon free future. However, with renewable energy not available twenty-four hours a day, the need for balanced and flexible power generation is becoming rapidly apparent. An integration of energy storage, coal repurposing and innovative energy technologies are required.
To improve reliability, high efficiency reciprocating and flexible energy solutions that provide value to the South African energy market have been introduced. As a global leader in innovative technologies, we provide distinct value and differentiation, providing energy systems that support a broad portfolio of generating assets.
The use of technology to improve the energy sector
A high-efficiency, high-performing modelling tool, which is powered by artificial intelligence has been developed. The tool is used across the country to bring valuable insights and integrated resource plans, flexible thermal balancing, and coal repurposing concepts, that positively impact the energy market.
One of the differentiations that we bring to various regions is our ability to undertake complex power system modelling. The modelling calculates decarbonisation of energy systems, considering the lowest cost of electricity, while making sure that security and grid stability are maintained at acceptable levels.
As the economy begins to venture towards clean energy and sustainable technologies, local collaboration and innovation are more critical than ever. This is especially so in a country where challenges in power supply and the sustainability thereof, are rife. While we recognise that each country is unique, it applies global experience to deliver relevant, localised information, to educate local stakeholders of best practices where our solutions have worked.
What we do with ageing coal fleet and coal repurposing has grown in recent months. We have been involved in this across the world and have strong tangible results most recently from our project in Australia at AGL Barker Inlet.
Enabling a more sustainable society
Our lifecycle solutions and smart technologies enable the transition to a more sustainable South African society. The sustainability strategy consists of three interrelated key focuses, which include environmental, economic, and social pillars. These have over the years played a meaningful role in South Africa’s transformation progress.
From a Just Transition standpoint, which places strong emphasis on addressing poverty, inequality, and unemployment; we have spent time planning, supporting, and implementing support for the local supply chain and manufacturing. We have gone through an estimated 200 companies that deliver technical functionality needed, and from a quality and price point of view. We believe that over 30% local content can be achieved at gas power plants on a turnkey basis.
Skills development and knowledge transfer is also an important aspect of this. For instance, we have graduate and trainee programs that give young people opportunities to integrate them in the workforce, placing them in their offices and those of their suppliers.
One such example of our commitment to empower young people is the donation to the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University of a state-of-the-art 20 engine, which is currently being used to facilitate teaching within the university`s School of Marine Engineering. This is an important initiative to support and stimulate the maritime economy in South Africa.
Moving forward: policy and mitigation
We believe that South Africa has the answers to reach a 100% sustainable energy future and needs to act. This will involve, for example, the establishment of the independent market operator and the enablement of private power generation by implementing effective wheeling rules and regulations.
In South Africa’s journey to solves the power crisis, that journey can also support the country’s net-zero aspirations, but this can only be achieved by taking bold steps and being ambitious in our solutions thinking.
We believe that our current power crisis and the journey towards net-zero can be and should be looked at collectively. The success hinges all stakeholders aligning on common objectives.
