SANEDI > Applied Energy Research > Smart Grid

Smart Grid

About Us

The Smart Grids Programme is one of the six flagships programmes within the South African National Energy Development Institution (SANEDI).Smart Grids programme is focused on the introduction of various concepts of Smart Grids within the South African Electricity Distribution Industry (EDI).

SANEDI smart grids team’s mandate is to integrate and optimise distributed energy resources to achieve a more efficient and reliable grid, enable active participation of consumers with more environmental constraints.

The Smart Grid Programme addresses the Government’s Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) objectives of Energy Transformation and Service Delivery. With regards to Energy Transformation, technology innovation is used as an enabler for change. The introduction of Smart Grid technology is a key enabler for South Africa to achieve its energy mix. Without smart grids large scale integration is impossible. This allows South Africa to meet its climate change objectives at municipal level. With regards, to Service Delivery, Smart Grid Technology is enabling the use of integrated systems and processes in the municipal environment thus enabling efficiencies and effectiveness not seen before in the municipal environment.

Accelerating the implementation of energy research and development, improving energy efficiency and increasing the uptake of renewable energy to the benefit of South Africa.

Our Mission

An economically evolved technology-enabled electricity system that is intelligent, interactive, flexible and efficient. This system will enable South Africa’s energy use to be sustainable for future generations.

Our Vision

Our Objectives

Provide a common vision for Smart Grids for South Africa.
Facilitate a Smart Grid knowledge sharing forum, for both the Electricity
Supply Industry and relevant government departments.
Implement applied research pilots within municipalities to introduce various smart grid concept

Services

The effective deployment of technology in the electricity supply industry (ESI) is worldwide recognised as a key business enabler. The implementation of an appropriate technology contributes amongst others to improved customer service, improved business efficiency and improved business sustainability. The desirability of a smart grid project is steadily picking up attention in South Africa. As a result, the attractiveness of this technology is gaining much interest for the benefits it produces. Smart Grid is an essential transformative network that facilitates the efficient use of energy and the integration of renewable energy to meet the energy demand of various consumers.

Based on ETPSG definition, Smart Grid employs innovative products and services together with intelligent monitoring, control, communication, and self-healing technologies to:

Better facilitate and manage the connection and operation of all sources of energy.
Give consumers more choice so they can help to optimise energy use;
Provide consumers with greater information and choice of supply;
Significantly reduce the environmental impact of the whole electricity supply system;
Deliver enhanced levels of reliability and security of supply.

The shift towards implementing a smart grid strategy in South Africa is intended to fast track the development of establishing an adequate electricity supply system or network for two basic reasons, namely the improvement and upgrade of the “business as usual” (BUA) grid and the outcome of substantial benefits that come with establishing a smart grid. For much that has been gathered, the value application of a smart grid is said to have benefits in the following key valuable areas:

Efficiency

by reducing the cost and improve the manner in which electricity is produced, distributed and consumed.

Security

a reductions in the threat probability such as manmade e.g. theft or technical loss e.g. negligence

Safety

reduce injuries and loss of life relating to grid fatalities.

Environmental

by integrating renewable into the grid will significantly improve the generating, transmission and consumption of electricity which will constitute a reduction in the emissions in comparison to BUA grid.

Reliability

by lessening the occurrence of power cuts and the disadvantage of widespread load shedding. Contribute towards minimising the costs of interruption and the disturbances to the quality of power.

Economics

electricity is an essential commodity to the economy. Smart grids renders their deliverables on broader scale of benefits. In comparison to BUA grid, consumers will have the benefit of prices being kept down, the stimulation of job creation into the economy and positive returns on the gross domestic product (GDP).

Projects

Initiatives

Internal Smart Grid Action Network

The International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN) strives for the accelerated development and deployment around the world of smarter, cleaner electricity grids—as in “smart grids.”

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South African Smart Grids Initiative

South African Smart Grids Initiative (SASGI) is a stakeholder participation driven initiative. An economically evolved, technology enabled, electricity system that is intelligent, interactive, flexible and efficient and will enable South Africa’s energy use to be sustainable for future generations.

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