CFL mass rollout in KZN
Eskom’s drive towards energy efficiency needs the support of all
24 February 2012: Many South Africans may believe the power outages of 2008 – the year we all became aware of the fact that electricity is a scare national resource that should be used prudently – is a thing of the past. Eskom, in its drive to maintain open and regular communication with South African homeowners and the business sector, has been saying for the past three years that the system is still very much constrained, and that 2012 would be a particularly difficult year.
It is an undisputed fact that demand pressure on the national grid – triggered by ten years of robust economic growth – is still with us and remains significant. This will continue until new energy generation capacity – primarily the Medupi and Kusile projects – are completed and contributing to the national grid.
In the meantime, the projected supply deficit will continue, making it essential for Eskom and all electricity consumers – both the business sector and the homeowner – to examine all opportunities for reducing their energy demands and helping optimise the use of Eskom’s existing supply capacity.
Eskom is leading a national drive to promote energy efficiency through large-scale roll-outs of energy efficiency rebate programmes tailor-made for all customers.
Focusing on the entire spectrum of electricity users – from private homes, guest houses, residential estates, factories and manufacturing plants to retail chains, car dealerships, financial institutions, commercial properties, office parks and farms – the programmes focus on identifying and promoting more efficient ways to use electricity, and switching over to energy efficient technologies.
Eskom examines all sides of the solution to help the various sectors achieve their savings. Whether the demand is for energy efficient lighting systems, hot water systems, building management systems or process optimisation systems, Eskom has developed tailor-made answers.
Achievements
Demand management projects began in 2003 and have resulted in significant benefits. There have been savings of 11 474 thousand tons of coal, which equates to an environmental benefit of CO2 emissions being reduced by almost 21 036 thousand tons. Electricity savings are nearly 21 249.48 GWh whilst 29 749.27 mega litres less water has been used.
In the residential sector most savings have been achieved through the implementation of mass roll-out campaigns to replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps. By the end of the 2010/2011 financial year these campaigns achieved installing more than 47 million CFLs in homes nationwide, reducing demand by 1,958 MW. To put this in perspective, a municipality such as Bloemfontein uses 323 MW of power.
Solar water heating is a well-established technology and the solar rebate programme for the residential sector has been running since 2008; an impressive total of 183,000 rebate claim requests have been received to date.
Successful industrial and mining projects have brought about 527 MW or 1,400 GWh in savings since 2003.
Eskom’s energy efficiency projects in its own buildings alone resulted in a reduction in energy consumption of 25, 5 GWh in 2011; this project is also spread across improvements in thermal efficiency at power plants and reduction of transmission and distribution line losses.
In the commercial sector retailers, banks, motor companies, hospitality facilities, clinics, hospitals, commercial property owners, hotels and the hospitality industry at large have been exposed to “green” workshops and conferences” and have, as a result, partnered with Eskom to ensure sustainable energy savings.
“Creating energy efficiency ambassadors” road shows have seen information being shared on business premises; subsequent energy savings in offices and homes were the immediate result. To date, more than 50 corporations have formally partnered with Eskom on the national energy efficiency drive.
Assistance with ‘in-house’ programmes in businesses is encouraged by Eskom providing appropriate energy efficiency rebate programmes material.
An essential addition to the energy efficiency marketing and communications campaign has been the Power Alert system, an interactive media control system aimed at the residential sector and empowering the public to assist in reducing electricity usage on weekdays between the critical time of 17:00 to 21:00; a familiar presence on SABC and eTV, the Power Alert is also now on display on DStv.
New initiatives
The requirement to sustain savings drives has seen Eskom design and implement five funding models and a market participation scheme to address various market sectors and target audiences, and encourage the adoption of energy efficiency technologies, particularly in the commercial sector.
These models include a rebate model structured around an incentive scheme; a Standard Product for customers with a potential load saving of between 1kW to 100kW; a Standard Offer for customers with a potential load saving of 50kW to 5MW; an ESCo model targeted at specialists in energy efficiency of 100kW or more; and Performance Contracting, which entails purchasing bulk verified energy savings across multiple sites and technologies by contracting with a single project developer.
The Demand Market Participation scheme, where companies are asked to reduce demand at short notice and, in return, receive pre-determined and agreed funding for this reduction, will soon be announcing the addition of the energy market aggregator.
Into the future
With pressure on the power system continuing, the need to ensure that all South Africans contribute to saving electricity will see Eskom continuing to identify and develop energy saving mechanisms.
Exactly how successful they will be revolves around the commitment of South Africans to support this vital cause and join a national drive towards a more energy efficient South Africa.
Homeowners go solar after winning in a nation-wide Power Alert competition
Five lucky homeowners won solar water heating systems in a nation-wide radio competition that formed part of Eskom’s information sharing and education campaign on the utility’s new look Power Alert system on television.
Mapule Morobane of Vosloorus in Gauteng, Mfundo Ncayiyana of Bizana in the Eastern Cape, Mahlodi John Matlou of Polokwane in Limpopo, Suzette Van Den Berg of Bloemfontein in the Free State, and Elaine Cohen of Ceres in the Western Cape became the newest members of a fast growing group of South Africans who switched to energy efficient technologies to heat water in their homes.
The Power Alert competition was broadcasted on Kaya FM, Ofm, KFM, Capricorn FM and Algoa FM.
30 Second spots were aired and detailed competition information was displayed on the stations’ respective online platforms. The Mail & Guardian, South Africa’s top weekly newspaper, also featured the competition online.
The campaign achieved nearly 600 000 page impressions across the six online platforms.
Conventional electrical element geysers are the hungriest appliance in the home and responsible for up to 50% of the energy cost of an average household. Solar water heating systems, using the free power of the sun to heat water homeowners use for cleaning and cooking, drastically reduce residential electricity bills. Solar water heating systems also assist Eskom to achieve its objective of alleviating high strain on the national electricity grid, especially between 5pm and 9 pm, the period of peak demand in South Africa.
Since 2006 Power Alert is a familiar sighting on SABC channels and later also on eTV during weekday evenings. Power Alert messages are now also on display on selected channels on pay-channel DStv.
Visit www.PowerAlert.co.za frequently for more information and up to date 24-hour Power Alert forecasts. Also continue to keep an eye on the Power Alert messages broadcasted on television during weekdays between 5 pm and 9 pm.
Residential Load Management
1. Executive summary
As part of its overall demand reduction strategy, Eskom IDM is implementing a Residential Load Management (RLM) programme countrywide. This entails fitting ripple or radio control receivers or units to geysers installed in the homes of consumers. The units will be monitored and controlled by the relevant local authority’s control centre, using either a radio or ripple-based communication system. This will allow the supply of electricity to the geysers to be switched off during periods of peak demand, thus reducing the total electrical load. Public awareness and consumer relations are key factors affecting the successful implementation of the RLM project.
2. Project communications strategy
Preliminary research indicates that local consumers are generally unaware of the benefits of and reasons for the load control projects. A well-planned targeted communication strategy will be implemented to avoid dissatisfaction, misinformation and/or hostility on the part of consumers. The following risks have been identified:
- A sense that consumers are losing control over their own appliances
- A reluctance to see the need for long-term savings while there are no direct benefits to individual consumers
Objections raised against a system being imposed on residents by local authorities
Security considerations, due to the need for ESCo workers to enter homes in order to install the system
Questions concerning the capacity of local authorities to manage the system properly.
A dual approach is therefore recommended, with the communication campaign having two main objectives:
- To obtain buy-in from the community and other stakeholders
- To inform residential consumers regarding all relevant aspects of the project, and in particular addressing the issues identified above.
The target public has been identified as being the high LSM local consumers (LSM 5-10), with further target audiences including Eskom regional offices, local authorities (political and technical audiences), the media, the M&E centre, ESCos and enabling stakeholders on local level.
The communications framework includes the following techniques:
- Direct communication, networking and stakeholder management
- Publicity and mass media
- Information distribution (pamphlets, posters, notifications, stickers, trailer advertising, exhibitions)
- Advertising / advertorials
- Electronic communication (e-mails and weblinks)
- Call Centre training and support
- SMS communication
3. eMalahleni project
The eMalahleni / Eskom RLM project will be implemented from 1 October 2012 – end of June 2013. The Energy Services Company is Yaetsho. A total of 45 000 ripple control units will be installed in the eMalahleni area.
4. Enquiries
Should you require further information please contact our call centre on: 087 940 4554
Residential Load Management FAQ’s
CONTACT CENTRE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – RESIDENTIAL LOAD MANAGEMENT CAMPAIGN
(SYNONYMS: LOAD CONTROL, LOAD SHIFTING, GEYSER LOAD CONTROL OR LOAD REDUCTION)
| Q1 | What is IDM? | In response to the energy challenges facing South Africa, Eskom has established an Integrated Demand Management (IDM) division. IDM is dedicated to ensuring short-term security of electricity supply through coordinating and consolidating the various initiatives aimed at optimising energy use and balancing electricity supply and demand.
A key aspect of this demand side management programme is the promotion and implementation of more energy-efficient technologies, processes and behaviours amongst all consumers. A central focus of IDM is a series of large-scale Demand Side Management programmes. One of these is called Demand Reduction (DR) where the system operator pays customers to reduce load on instruction to balance demand and supply. Residential Load Management is one of the programmes that are currently implemented by IDM. |
| Q2 | What does the Residential Load Management mean / entail? | Residential Load Management is aimed specifically at the residential sector, in other words, consumers at home. Geysers account for between 30% and 50% of the electricity consumption in a household and they are therefore currently the focus of RLM. RLM involves the connection of ripple control units (or relays) to geysers, allowing them to be switched on and off by remote control. |
| Q3 | Why do we need this programme? | Eskom’s residential customers consume around 17,5% of the total electricity generated, with their demand at peak periods amounting to over 30%. Helping residential customers to manage their electricity requirements better will have a significant impact on the overall demand for energy, while also achieving cost benefits for the consumer. |
| Q4 | How does it work? | A small control unit (relay) is installed in the home of the customer. This unit will switch off the supply to the geyser during peak demand periods for a predetermined period. Groups of geysers will be controlled and monitored centrally from the local Municipal Energy Centre by means of a radio or/and ripple based communication system. The Centre will also take care of all customer queries. |
| Q5 | Will I still be able draw hot water from the geyser when it is switched off? | The load control system will switch off the power supply to the geyser only during peak periods. Even when the power has been switched off, the water stored in the geyser should be sufficiently hot to cater for normal water usage. |
| Q6 | What are the advantages of a remote-controlled relay system? | The temperature of a geyser is normally controlled by a thermostat. The thermostat continually switches the heating element on and off depending on the amount of water that must be heated. The relay system switches the heating element off during times when the electricity consumption of the country is high. |
| Q7 | What does the Residential Load Management (RLM) team need from me? | A qualified electrician from an Energy Services Company (ESCo) will require access to each home in order to install the relay enclosures. Properly identified people will do the work. Please do not provide access to persons not in possession of authentic identification. |
| Q8 | How do I benefit? | The system will help to reduce the peak electrical load at times of maximum demand Expansion of the generation, transmission and distribution system networks will not be necessary in the short term. The need to operate costly hydro-electrical or gas plants to cater for these peak periods is eliminated |
| Q9 | How does the municipality benefit? | If the municipality does not have to upgrade its electricity supply systems to accommodate higher consumption at peak periods, then the costs associated with these upgrades will not be passed onto the consumers. It will also lead to better management and optimisation of current infrastructure to improve service delivery to customers. |
| Q10 | Who is responsible for the installation of the system? | Eskom finances the capital and operational costs of the system with the costs being recovered by way of savings through network expansion and better utilization of generating capacity. |
| Q11 | What about security? | Electricians authorised to carry out the installation of the control systems will be issued with appropriate identity cards; householders should demand that anybody claiming to be an electricians working for or on behalf of Eskom should produce his or her card before entering the property. |
| Q12 | What happens if the system breaks down and who is responsible for maintenance? | if the relay should develop a fault, it will be the responsibility of the Municipality together with a preferred contractor (ESCo) to repair or replace it. The consumer will not have to bear the costs of repairs or replacement. |
| Q13 | How much is saved? | The customer does not save anything. The municipality saves by shifting the load from peak times to standard and /or off-peak times and so produces a lower electricity bill to the customer. The amount saved is between R150.00 and R190.00 per switch annually, on the Eskom MegaFlex tariff. |
| Q14 | What is a megawatt? | A megawatt (abbreviation – MW) is a unit of power equal to 1 million watts. A typical household geyser uses between 2 kW and 3 kW of power. In other words, if 500 geysers, each 2 kW, are on, they will consume 1 MW. |
Click on each of the below documents to view more information:
Load limit Pilot
Specific streets and complexes within these areas have been invited to participate in the pilot project which aims to test load limiting technology in order to avoid the need for load shedding. Residents were asked to participate and in so doing assist in minimising the possibility and inconvenience of load shedding.
The pilot project, being implemented by Eskom DSM in conjunction with Eskom Research and Innovation Department (ERID) and EON Consulting, is part of a rigorous programme to assess the effectiveness of new load limiting technology in controlling residential demand. If successful, and based on the feedback from the selected area’s participants, the technology may be rolled out nationally.
Load Limit Technology
This brand new technology will allow Eskom to limit the amount of electricity supplied to households during high-constraint periods. By stabilising the electricity network in this way, load shedding can then be avoided.
The technology also provides residential consumers with a practical tool (free of charge) for monitoring and controlling their electricity consumption. This tool or display device can be plugged into any wall socket in the home. The display device can be moved from one room to another. By switching electrical appliances on and off they can see, in real time, how their total consumption varies. Residents are thus empowered to make their own decisions about how to reduce their household’s demand for electricity.
The electricity demand display instrument or eddi that participating residents receives, shows the real-time demand of the various electrical appliances at work in each individual household. The supply of electricity to participating households will only be limited during load limiting periods. The load limits will be based on the power reductions required by Eskom’s National Control Centre to maintain the stability of the electricity network.
The pilot participants have the choice as to which appliances to use during load limit periods during the 10 day pilot period. As long as they comply with the required load limit set during the pilot period, they will not be load shed.
When a household does not comply with the load limit that was set during the pilot, that individual house is load shed. Participants are granted 3 chances to comply with the requested load limit.
Households complying with the load limit within a set timeframe will receive the lower level of power until the restriction is lifted by Eskom. After a load limiting period has ended, full power is automatically restored to that household.
How does the Electricity Demand Display Instrument (eddi) work?
Click here to read more about eddi
Progress during 2009
Cycle 1 of the load limiting pilot period took place 26 Oct to 6 Nov 2009.
During the load limiting periods (2hours a day only and not over the week end) customers had the opportunity to experience how their display unit or eddi assists them in reducing their consumption to the required load limit.
They could also familiarise themselves with sending a blank sms and re-connecting their own power (with no human intervention) if they were unable to comply with the load limit. Participants were given 3 opportunities to comply to the limit. If they still did not comply to the limit set for that period, their power would be cut until the load limit period ends. Their power was automatically fully restored after a load limit period ended – whether they adhered to the limit or not.
The load limits set was irrespective of size of dwelling, amount of occupants or previous electricity usage. All participants experienced the same limit.
An independent behavioural study was conducted by the University of the Free State by means of telephonic questionnaires before as well as after the load limiting period. Based on the findings it can be concluded that the pilot group:
- experienced the display device (eddi) in a very positive way
- consumer behaviour quickly adapted to the display device
- demonstrated a greater awareness of electricity consumption after using eddi
- demonstrated confidence in using eddi
- firmly believe that they can save on electricity by using the display device
- will use eddi as an alternative to load shedding
- will encourage the roll-out of the display device
Progress during 2010
- Upgrade to system
Customers residing in selected complexes and streets in the Lonehill area (Gauteng) were contacted during March 2010 to collect their eddi and become part of a second pilot cycle of load limiting.
The technical lessons learnt, as a result of the 2 pilot periods, accumulated in an upgrade of the load limiting system so as to ensure continuous improvement of the technology. These technical improvements however meant an upgrade of the display device (or eddi) as well.
- Eddi Swap out
The swap out of eddi is planned from November 2010. All participants with an eddi will be notified how and where to obtain an improved eddi. Participants can then keep the display device. They will then own a tool to manage their energy usage, and subsequently have the opportunity to save on their electricity bill.
- Distribution box upgrades
In addition, distribution box upgrades were done in the Fourways, Dainfern, Douglasdale and Magaliessig areas (Gauteng) during 2010 to accommodate the load management system.
- Metros
City Power, eThekwini and Cape Town Municipality have also been approached during 2010 and customers in specific selected pilot sites are joining the Load Management Pilot.
If you are interested to know more about the pilot, kindly contact Aret le Roux via email at Lrouxar@eskom.co.za
Your safety is our priority. At no point in the installation process will access to participants’ homes be required. Residents in the pilot area should not allow anyone claiming to be from Eskom into their homes. Furthermore, certified installation technicians installing back-end technology in the substations in the area will be clearly identified by ID cards