New technologies needed to address increasing energy demand

23 May 2016 - 18:11 By Penwell Dlamini
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New technologies have to be used to give people access to electricity as the world tries to address the ever increasing energy demand.

According to a report recently released by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC)‚ two-thirds of the world's population will remain without electricity by 2030.

The report titled Electricity beyond the grid recommends that a new approach be used that recognises the part that off-grid technology can play in providing electricity.

“For the millions of people who don’t currently have access to electricity‚ the old assumption that they will have to wait for grid extensions is being turned on its head by new technological possibilities. About 634 million people without electricity are in Africa. Faster progress is needed‚ and we believe it can be achieved if national energy policies adopt a more comprehensive approach to energy access‚ embracing the new starting points for energy provided by standalone renewable technology and mini-grids‚” said John Gibbs‚ partner at Africa Deals Power & Utility Lead in PwC.

Current electrification strategies tend to focus on national grid extension plans.

His colleague at PwC‚ Angeli Hoekstra‚ added that advances in technology were rapidly changing the option available beyond to the grid.

“Falling solar technology costs have spurred the growth of standalone home systems and are changing the economics of mini-grid systems. Battery storage technology is fast evolving to the point where it is going to play a significant role in utility-scale solar power storage and is beginning to feature in smaller-scale off-grid solutions. Together with access to mobile technology and mobile payment systems for micro loans‚ a new era has arrived for beyond the grid electrification‚” Hoekstra said.

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