Renewables can benefit from second-hand batteries uptake

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe’s announcement of the opening of Bid Window 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) in March this year will result in significant opportunities to use more energy storage technologies locally, says battery equipment supplier REVOV MD Lance Dickerson. The REIPPPP will procure 2 600 MW of renewable energy from independent power producers and REVOV is “uniquely positioned” to provide affordable energy storage solutions, owing to the growing availability of second-hand lithium-iron phosphate batteries.