Kgosientsho Ramokgopa recently announced that South Africans experienced 600 hours less load shedding over the past three months than they did in the same period last year. While welcome, the threat of load shedding persists, with varying levels expected over the course of 2024.
Microgrids operate on the fundamental principle of bringing power generation to the point of consumption, providing communities with autonomy over their energy needs. They are decentralised power systems that generate and distribute electricity locally, serving specific communities or individual facilities, such as university campuses, hospital complexes, business centres or gated communities.
There has been some success with partial hybrid microgrid solutions, particularly in environments such as sectional title properties or gated communities through their ability to leverage roof space, generate significant power and accommodate large-scale batteries. The next step will be to make these systems completely independent, whereafter the concept could be expanded to larger areas, such as blocks within a neighbourhood.
This enhances community self-sufficiency. It also allows for bulk resale of power back into the grid, which streamlines interactions with Eskom, rather than many individuals trying to sell power back to the utility.This is best achieved through a unified community body that negotiates effectively.