USTDA Connects U.S. Energy Industry to Business Opportunities in South Africa
September 18, 2017
(USTDA)
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a grant to
Solafrica Energy (Pty) Ltd., a developer of utility-scale solar power plants in
Southern Africa, for a pilot project that demonstrates the performance of an
energy storage system based on Primus Power Corporation’s (California)
EnergyPod2® technology.
The EnergyPod2® is a long-duration energy storage system based on zinc-bromine
flow batteries. The pilot will demonstrate the performance of this energy
storage system under South Africa’s electric grid conditions at the
large-scale energy storage test and demonstration facility of Eskom, South
Africa’s national electricity utility.
The pilot will include a series of assessments to determine applications where
long-duration energy storage has the greatest value on South Africa’s electric
grid and will generate an implementation plan for the deployment of Primus
Power’s energy storage systems throughout the country. Large-scale deployments
of energy storage on South Africa’s electric grid will increase the capacity
of the grid, support further integration of renewable energy resources, and
offset the use of diesel fuel for peaking power and backup power generation.
“USTDA is pleased to support this project that will increase energy storage
capacity in South Africa and ultimately expand access to affordable, reliable
electricity,” said Lida Fitts, Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Director at USTDA.
“The project will display the value and applications of innovative U.S.
technologies in a growing and important sector in South Africa.”
“South Africa’s rapid increase in renewable energy integration has
introduced challenges related to intermittent power generation,” said Nasi
Rwigema, Project Director of Solafrica Energy. “Innovative and cost-effective
energy storage solutions will add great value to energy users and electricity
network operators alike.”
“As a continent, Africa has the majority of the world’s population without
access to reliable electricity,” commented Tom Stepien, CEO of Primus Power.
“By commencing this pilot with the support of USTDA, we aim to demonstrate the
performance, reliability, durability and cost competitiveness of our
EnergyPod2® system and apply it in order to satisfy energy storage needs in
South Africa, and additional countries in Africa, for years to come.”
This pilot project was submitted through USTDA’s previous proposal window for
energy projects in sub-Saharan Africa. USTDA currently has a new call for
initial proposals from energy project sponsors or U.S. companies working in the
region. Interested parties must submit an initial concept paper by 5:00pm
Eastern Time on September 25, 2017 and may refer to the press release as well as
USTDA’s full proposal guidelines available on its website.
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