Browsing by Author "Kanhukamwe, Faith Nyaradzo"

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    Matching renewable energy to the South African electricity system
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04) Kanhukamwe, Faith Nyaradzo; Dinter, Frank; Harms, T. M.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering (CRSES)
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In 1998, the signing of the white paper on Energy Policy pushed South Africa to invest in the development of renewable energy. Following the introduction of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), the country saw a sharp increase in the production of renewable energy investments. As a result, targets have been set to generate 15 GW out of a total of 74 GW renewable electricity by 2027. Similarly, according to the Department of Energy, by 2050 wind and solar PV are expected to produce more than 50 GW, which is more than 60 % of the projected national demand. These targets are highly ambitious given that by the end of 2018, the renewable energy contribution to the grid was less than 3 % nationally. Despite its present success with renewable energy, South Africa still lags behind countries such as Germany with regards to relative renewable energy penetration on the electricity grid. Although studies by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa show optimal cost for more than 70 % renewable generation by 2017, the current regulations in South Africa limit the renewable capacity to be added per year. With the aim of demonstrating the impact that renewable generation has on the electricity system, simulations were carried out in DigSilent’s Power Factory. This is an analysis software program used for dynamic performance simulation and monitoring of power systems. Furthermore, comparisons were made to determine strategies used to match renewable energy at high penetration levels to the electrical grid in Germany, and how these can be adopted in South Africa. The simulation results validated some of the requirements in the existing grid code document and that it is vital for renewable power plants to comply with its requirements. In addition, results in this study reveal that governmental policies play a pivotal role in encouraging connection of renewable technologies. Furthermore, the research reveals that South Africa’s centralization of power supply is the main constraint in matching renewables to the grid. The research also shows that the feed-in tariff system used in Germany has been successful because it offers investors a more stable system for long term investment. The main implications of the results are that in South Africa, there is a need to revise the regulations affecting the renewable electricity generation and engage the public in the process. Therefore, this research showed that opening the IRP draft for public consultation and releasing the IRP 2018 for public comment in 2018 is a vital step towards matching renewable energy to South Africa’s electricity system.