AI to become central in optimising energy use through SA 'virtual' power plants

So-called 'virtual power plants' (VPPs) are going to play an increasingly important role in South Africa in adding substantial energy to the grid.

VPPs are a network of different power sources such as wind, solar and battery energy storage systems working together, sometimes at different locations.

The country currently has at least 5 utility-scale VPPs either under construction or in operation but their numbers are expected to increase due to our need for dispatchable energy, according to an RMB media release.

"VPPs are proving a boon primarily for commercial and industrial companies throughout the country, but localised use is also on the rise for applications such as residential estates."

RMB

These networks are also making use of AI advancements - they use algorithms which can analyse data to make informed decisions on how to manage and distribute the sources of energy optimally and most economically in real-time.

The Money Show talks to Daniel Zinman, Head of the Power, Infrastructure Sector Solutions team at RMB.

He says the way EVVs work, is that they essentially function as one power plant whether they are in a single or multiple locations.

"At a utility scale you could have a wind farm, a solar PV farm, and battery energy storage system all co-located or at different sites which work together to provide power to the grid."

"On a more micro scale, you could have a residential estate with say 80 houses, each of which have their own solar panels and batteries, but which are centrally controlled and managed so as to optimize the output and the battery energy storage systems."

Daniel Zinman, Head: Power, Infrastructure Sector Solutions team - RMB