Digital systems to bolster energy security, decarbonise power pipeline

Energy efficiency via digital means will be key to decarbonisation and bolstering energy security, stated Taru Madangombe of Schneider Electric this week at Enlit Africa.

The current and biggest dilemma facing South Africa and Africa is a lack energy security.

Loadshedding is a challenge across Africa, not only South Africa, said Taru Madangombe, Vice President: Power and Grid for Middle East and Africa, Schneider Electric, South Africa.

He was speaking on Wednesday at Enlit Africa 2023 on the topic Overcoming Dual Challenges for African Energy Transition.

“We have a situation where 700 million people don’t have access to electricity, with the majority in Sub-Saharan Africa. Not only impacting people in terms of lights off, but we are feeling it in our pockets. 

“We need to start considering long-term and medium perspectives in addressing the problem,” said Madangombe.

In the mid- and long-term, the biggest challenge is still the decarbonisation of energy, he said. 

“We are feeling the pressure from the north and the west – to shut our coal-fired power plants.”

Madangombe said it is worth bearing in mind that Africa continues to bear the brunt of climate change.

“We can’t decouple the energy conversation from the climate change one. Long-term, we need to look at energy security and couple that with energy decarbonisation. 

“We need to start investing more in renewable energy projects. There’s no transition without transmission. We need to look at these processes through the entire value chain.”

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Energy security currently under threat from the supply side

He listed three fundamental approaches to overcome short- and long-term energy challenges:

• Energy efficiency – energy saving by digital means, efficient buildings 
• Electrification – end users to electrify 
• Green Energy – renewables, etc. 

“The technology is there, but if you don’t have the right institutional frameworks to try and support this, especially in Africa, then it will not become a reality. 

“An interconnected system across Africa is a possibility, but investment is key.” 

Madangombe said that on the demand side, we need “to try and utilise energy efficiencies.”

On the supply side, we are currently in a crisis and “we need to stabilise the current systems in the country.” 

“We are looking at other forms of energy. As we drive toward a low-carbon future – the technologies we speak about – we must be in a position to deploy them.”

Madangombe said energy and energy investment choices must be made. 

“Digitisation is key in decarbonising the energy pipeline.”

Published by Yunus Kemp on ESI Africa.