Energy Storage Systems’ Potential in sub-Saharan Africa

The importance of good energy storage technology should not be underestimated as it is an important tool in achieving a low-carbon future.

As the drive for renewable energy increases, there is a need to maximize the power from these sources, since they might not always be present, so it is very eminent to have a storage system for these sources to enable them to be available when needed most.  Renewable energy storage systems apply to alternative electricity generation such as solar, wind, and water power systems which allow energy to be stored and released to the grid when needed. 

The African continent’s energy systems are mostly subjected to grid congestion demands which often leads to blackouts and rationing of power. Energy storage systems would be a game-changer as they will support electricity supply, transmission, and distribution systems to ensure reliance and dependence of energy supply on the continent. Stability in power generation will create an enabling environment for socio-economic developments in both rural and urban areas.

The 2018 African Energy Industry Market Intelligence report indicated that renewable energy technologies with the highest deployment potential in Africa are modern biomass, hydropower, wind, and solar power. To harness the full potential of these renewables, the continent must adopt technologies that will link the renewable resource and the storage of energy. The energy storages include PV-hybrid battery storage, Thermal energy storage, Compressed Air Storage, etc.

PV-hybrid battery storage: this system captures surplus energy generated and stores the energy on batteries for later use. The common batteries used in this system are lead-acid and lithium-ion, even though lithium-ion is the most efficient battery with fast charging and large capacity. PV systems have battery backup costs due to the installation of other equipment such as inverters, batteries, and charge controllers. Integrating solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy storage would provide electricity operators and businesses with control options to balance electricity generation and demand. The PV-hybrid battery storage can accelerate the output of power plants, enable more flexibility in power generation, and support the resilience of commercial activities.  

Thermal Energy Storage: This involves storing excess energy from renewable sources, or waste heat to be used for heating, cooling, or power generation when needed. Thermal Energy Storage(TES) is mostly used in buildings and industrial processes to balance energy consumption between day and night. Thermal energy is produced during periods of off-peak electrical demand, collected in a thermal energy storage tank, then withdrawn and distributed during peak periods. The storage solutions include water or storage tanks of ice-slush, masses of native earth, or bedrock accessed with heat exchangers using boreholes. The three types of Thermal energy systems are sensible heat, latent heat, and thermochemical. 

Other energy storage systems include Compressed Air Storage which is used in conjunction with a wind farm which stores energy in large underground chambers and Pumped-Storage Hydroelectricity which stores excess power from the grid. The Flywheel Energy Storage system stores grid energy by converting electricity to kinetic energy in the form of spinning wheels.

The main snag of renewable energy is its dependence on the weather, so it is very important for governments in sub-Saharan Africa to convert and store energy from renewable sources. Energy storage is becoming a quintessential part of the power system architecture which will limit grid congestion on our continent. Businesses from all sectors can benefit from energy storage, from telecom towers, and large industries to commercial office buildings, residential homes, schools, hospitals, and supermarkets. By adding energy storage solutions to their power systems, companies can leverage peak shaving, resulting in cheaper and more sustainable energy consumption. Governments must institute a clearly defined regulatory framework to govern the role of energy storage operators, including the related taxes and fees for use of the grid in their jurisdiction.   

Renewable energy has become a sustainable and viable choice for sub-Saharan Africa. As we integrate energy storage technology with renewable sources, it has the potential of improving energy security, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and supporting economic growth and social development.