“Developing a roadmap for effective Distributed Energy Resource (DER) management in South Africa has to be focused, contextual and involve a comprehensive approach that considers the country’s current and future challenges, energy landscape, regulatory framework and sustainability goals,” says Valley Padayachee, Strategic Advisor of Association of Municipal Electricity Utilities (AMEU).

Padayachee presented his views on what a typical roadmap could look like during a recent webinar hosted by EE Business Intelligence.

Initial areas of focus involve reviewing current policies and regulations, while consulting with key stakeholders to gain insights and establish agreement on DER deployment strategies. “Formulate clear guidelines and incentives to promote the deployment of DER technologies,” he said.

To achieve effective DER management, investing in data collection and analytics tools, such as AI-driven solutions, is crucial. These tools help in forecasting energy demand, managing grid stability, and optimising DER operations, Padayachee said.

The modernisation and upgrading of grid infrastructure is critical to accommodate the integration of technologies and enabling bi-directional energy flows. “Given the current electricity crisis, including the severely constrained and congested nature of the Dx grid – let alone the Tx grid – and the lack of financial resources, we need to explore technologies, for example, such as energy storage, to ‘squeeze’ every additional electron on the Dx grid in the interim,” he said.

Another objective should be establishing financial instruments, such as subsidies, grants, tax incentives, and feed-in tariffs, to stimulate investment in DER projects. This includes public-private partnerships, Padayachee said.

An urgent requirement is the development of training programmes and capacity-building initiatives for energy professionals, technicians, and policymakers on DER technologies and management practices.

Empowering local communities to participate in DER projects, such as community solar initiatives, microgrids, and energy sharing programmes should also be part of the plan, he says. “Promote awareness and education campaigns on the benefits of DER, energy conservation, and sustainable practices within communities.”

Finally, the roadmap emphasizes the importance of monitoring, reviewing, and evaluating the performance, impact, and sustainability of DER projects in South Africa.

“The roadmap should be regularly reviewed and updated based on feedback, lessons learned, and emerging trends in the DER sector,” Padayachee said.