North Africa BESS Mobile Energy Storage Power Supply

Is Bess a viable power system for Africa?

The African Continental Power System Masterplan (CMP) study into BESS says that considering Africa’s rapidly growing power requirements and the already planned contributions from variable renewable energy (VRE), these commitments do not fully reflect the potential for BESS on the continent.

Are battery energy storage systems developing in Africa?

Confirmed development of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) across Africa is still small compared to global projections, says a study. The confirmed development of Battery Energy Storage Systems across Africa is still small compared to global projections – less than 0.5% of the global BESS capacity of 358GW by 2030.

What is Bess energy storage?

BESS is another form of energy storage, similar to the more familiar pumped storage hydropower. Batteries do not generate electricity, rather their value lies in a range of ancillary services that can enhance system stability throughout the electricity supply chain.

Does Bess work in Africa?

Experience in the African context is even more limited with very few grid-scale BESS projects that are operational. As an emerging technology it is expected that technical performance will continue to mature and improve. Already, rapid and significant improvements have been seen across most performances metrices.

Why do we need a Bess battery storage system?

BESS are of particular interest as they offer dispatchable storage with sizing and locational flexibility i.e. allowing deployment at varying scales in proximity to the location where grid flexibility is needed. This focus on BESS is also cognisant of the World Bank Group’s USD1 billion global battery storage programme, announced in 2018.

Is Bess an emerging technology?

Because of its relatively recent inclusion in power systems, most international electricity markets consider BESS an emerging technology, despite some technologies already being commercially established and successful. Experience in the African context is even more limited with very few grid-scale BESS projects that are operational.