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Eskom, govt drag feet on distributed generators

Admire Moyo
By Admire Moyo, ITWeb's news editor.
Johannesburg, 29 Jan 2015
Embedded generators range from a typical 1KW domestic solar PV generator to a 50MW wind farm, says First Solar.
Embedded generators range from a typical 1KW domestic solar PV generator to a 50MW wind farm, says First Solar.

Though SA is experiencing dire electricity shortages, the country is taking its time to standardise the use of embedded or distributed generators.

So says Frank Spencer, chair of the Embedded Generation Sub-Committee of the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA).

According to Spencer, distributed generation is the fastest-growing source of power worldwide, and creates a significant number of jobs through manufacturing and installation.

However, he says distributed generation is being hindered in SA by a lack of government and Eskom will to create a working framework to enable it.

Embedded generators vary in type and size from a typical 1KW domestic solar photovoltaic (PV) generator to a 50MW wind farm, and may include technologies like solar PV cells, bagasse, wind turbines, thermal and hydro.

In a recent interview with ITWeb, Dr Tobias Bischof-Niemz, chief engineer at the Integrated Energy Research Centre at the CSIR, said the relevant standards and norms for grid connection of embedded generators, as well as metering standards, need to be finalised as a matter of urgency.

Only yesterday, Eskom tweeted: "The power system remains vulnerable, meaning that any extra load or faults in the system may necessitate load shedding..."

Spencer says there are two sets of standards that affect embedded generators. The first is SANS 10142-3, the low-voltage (LV) wiring code for embedded generators required before Eskom would consider embedded generators on the 230V and 400V LV network.

The second is the NRS097 set of standards, covering the inverter, Spencer adds. "The main one covering inverter behaviour is currently in draft and it has been like that for the past 10 years, and is being applied to projects, but it needs to be finalised.

"The other set of NRS097 standards, covering testing of inverters, still need to be completed. And it is proposed that a new SNAS10142-4 to cover the DC wiring of solar PV systems is also required," he explains.

Spencer believes there are several reasons SA seems to be dragging its feet with regards to distributed generation. "I think Eskom does not want the hassle of having to be involved with lots of small generation projects, even though they could bring tremendous benefit to customers in these energy-constrained times."

Another reason, he says, is SABS doesn't have sufficient capacity to manage the standards process quickly. "Distributed generation is also perceived as creating revenue loss for Eskom and municipalities, which is completely untrue ? right now we don't even have enough electricity to keep the lights on."

Generally, he notes, there has been no drive from government to get it done. "However, based on recent discussions between SAPVIA and government, the urgency of finalising applicable standards has been recognised."

Government needs to get involved and drive the process, as we have a national emergency around power, and every little bit can help, Spencer urges. In this respect, he says, the Department of Trade and Industry - based on input from SAPVIA - has pledged to help expedite the finalisation of applicable standards.

In addition, the National Energy Regulator of SA's consultation process on the regulatory framework for small-scale embedded generation should result in a regulatory instrument that has legal force or regulatory rules.

"In addition, we seek to raise the awareness of the private sector and civil society of the benefits of solar PV so they too can advocate for this to get done," Spencer continues.

"As an industry, we believe that upwards of 500MW of embedded generation can be built each year, perhaps much more if the right framework is put in place. The great thing about embedded generation is that it creates power right where the customer needs it and it takes pressure off the Eskom grid."

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