AFC Energy extends partnership with ABB, sets out to raise £35m

Aim-listed hydrogen technology developer AFC Energy has entered into a strategic partnership with technology group ABB regarding the development of electric vehicle (EV) charging systems.

ABB is investing £3.25-million into AFC Energy, as a commitment to the international e-mobility market to set new standards in zero-emission high-power EV charging.

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Electricity grids to benefit from IoT

Embracing renewable energy, adapting business models, reducing operational expenditure and using Internet of Things (IoT) technologies can lead to effective power generation and transmission, says University of Pretoria (UP) associate professor Raj Naidoo. While the energy model for electricity generation is evolving at a rapid rate globally, South Africa’s initiatives to integrate renewables sourced power into the coal-dominated generation programme have been slow.
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Sector gets skills development boost

The off-grid energy sector is continuing to grow, with shifts towards using standalone off-grid and renewable-energy-powered minigrid systems, as such systems can provide electricity in areas where current grid infrastructure cannot reach. However, despite the growth in the sector, there has been little focus on skills development programmes for local human capital.
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Solar to offer relief for the grid

Southern Africa is familiar with low levels of electricity access and frequent electricity power cuts, owing to dilapidating infrastructure and its inadequacy to provide electricity in rural areas. However, using alternative and more affordable energy sources, such as solar, wind and waste-to-energy solutions, will enable rural communities to have access to electricity, says advisory firm Birguid’s associate and chief financial officer Kudzaishe Chivandire.
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Tenders awarded to connect Lesedi gas, solar project to Botswana grid

Southern African energy development company Tlou Energy has awarded tenders for the construction of transmission lines and substations to connect the coal-bed methane Lesedi power project to the Botswana national electricity grid at Serowe, the company said on April 14. Botswana electrical engineering company Zismo Engineering was awarded the tender to build the 100 km overhead line, while construction and mining contract multinational Murray & Roberts subsidiary OptiPower will build the substations at Lesedi and Serowe.
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Electricity, water price hikes pose risk to inflation outlook – central bank

Above-inflation increases to South Africa’s electricity and water prices pose a risk to the consumer inflation outlook and could trigger a rise in lending rates, the central bank said on Wednesday. “These risks, should they materialise, could drive headline above the 4.5% target midpoint and possibly dislodge inflation expectations away from the midpoint,” the bank said in its bi-annual Monetary Policy Review.
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Anglo American secures 100% renewables across its South American operations

Diversified miner Anglo American has delivered on its commitment to source 100% renewable energy for all its operations in Brazil, Chile and Peru. The miner previously secured renewable energy to meet all of its power requirements for its iron-ore and nickel operations in Brazil from 2022, as well as for its copper operations in Chile from this year.
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Cabinet expected to approve Hydrogen Society Roadmap by early 2022 at latest

South Africa’s Hydrogen Society Roadmap (HSRM) will be presented for Cabinet approval either before the end of the year or early next year and should outline how the country’s resource advantages should be leveraged to produce green hydrogen, as well as to integrate hydrogen-related technologies, such as fuel cells, into various sectors of the economy. Department of Science and Innovation chief director for hydrogen and energy, Dr Rebecca Masemurule says the HSRM is likely to emphasise the centrality of renewable energy not only in the production of clean electricity, but also to produce competitive green fuels that can be used to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors, such as land and marine freight logistics, as well as the manufacture of steel, cement and chemicals.
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GE, PowerChina hydro project on Zambia-Zimbabwe border delayed

GE, PowerChina hydro project on Zambia-Zimbabwe border delayed The developers of a $4-billion hydropower plant on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border delayed the project until next year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Seriti rejects calls for probe into South32 deal that will make it Eskom’s largest coal supplier

Under siege Seriti Resources whose impending acquisition of South32 coal mines has raised calls for an investigation has dismissed the complaints against it as “vague” lacking substance. The black-owned coal miner has found itself embroiled in a storm after trade unions  flagged some aspects of the transactions as questionable.
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