Only through the provision of accurate energy data, in real-time, will SA's consumers and businesses be able to make the changes needed to move to a low-carbon economy.
This is according to Kevin Jacobson, GM of Business Indirect Sales at MTN, speaking at the opening session of the African Utility Week conference, in Johannesburg, yesterday.
Jacobson said machine-to machine (M2M) applications can provide vital alerts about energy supply and consumption, helping to prevent disruptions and lowering costs. He defined M2M as “communication between any devices via a common network, for a specific purpose”, which can either be used to collect information or send commands to other connected devices.
“Information is conveyed over the Internet, cellular and satellite networks to provide critical forewarning and status updates to companies, to allow them to take appropriate action and control measures in the environment within which they work.”
Jacobson added that M2M technology is set to change the way a multitude of industries operate, including the electricity and water sectors, as real-time data monitoring and maintenance could improve overall productivity, streamline business processes, and bring cost savings.
“You need to start by measuring and quantifying power use, and ICT can play a role in this. With automated meter management, for example, a device captures an 'event' which is relayed through the network, to an application that translates the event into meaningful information.”
He said companies and consumers need to be aware of what they're using, how much it costs, and the effect on the environment. “Essentially, it's about visibility, control and foresight.”
Shifting landscape
Better data management is just one change coming to the energy sector, with other speakers highlighting the fact that several significant shifts are taking place due to increased challenges.
Department of Energy chief operating officer Thandeka Zungu said the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) introduced last year attempts to tackle some of SA's energy hurdles, by focusing on creating new generating capacity while optimising costs, promoting job creation, and mitigating against climate change.
She added that the renewable energy IPP bidding programme, which forms part of the IRP, provides for the construction of 3 625MW of capacity from independent power producers by 2016. The programme has attracted foreign direct investment into SA worth about R70 billion over a period of 12 months, said Zungu.
New bidding rounds for several other technologies will be introduced this year, she added, including biomass, biogas, landfill gas, and small hydro. The department has also issued a request for information for projects available from other technologies, such as gas, imported hydro and cogeneration.
Zungu noted that energy efficiency would also be a priority going forward, as a lack of mechanisms has prevented government from quantifying actual performance and savings. “The collation of energy efficiency data and information across all sectors will be prioritised this year, including the establishment of a target monitoring system that will enable us to compile an annual energy efficiency trends report across different sectors.”
Also speaking at the opening, Eskom CEO Brian Dames said the implementation of the IRP would see a more diversified electricity supply, with SA likely to have a hybrid energy industry by 2030, as the economics of renewables improve and reach grid parity.
He added that there will be a need for smarter grids in future, to connect all these various generation sources. “Energy efficiency will also be a game changer, especially in a country like SA where traditionally consumers are very energy-intensive.”
Dames said the goal was for all South Africans to have access to electricity by 2030, but that there was still a backlog of 2.5 million to 3 million households. “We need to make sure growth is energy efficient while addressing concerns around climate change and keeping the lights on.
“I have no doubt the electricity industry in SA by 2030 will look very different from today.”
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