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Optimising the Concentrating Solar Power Potential in South Africa through an Improved GIS Analysis

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  • Dries. Frank Duvenhage

    (Engineering Management and Sustainable Systems, Department of Industrial Engineering, the Solar Thermal Energy Research Group and the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa)

  • Alan C. Brent

    (Engineering Management and Sustainable Systems, Department of Industrial Engineering, the Solar Thermal Energy Research Group and the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
    Sustainable Energy Systems, School of Engineering and Computer Science, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand)

  • William H.L. Stafford

    (Engineering Management and Sustainable Systems, Department of Industrial Engineering, the Solar Thermal Energy Research Group and the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
    Green Economy Solutions, Natural Resources and the Environment, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa)

  • Dean Van Den Heever

    (Legal Drone Solutions, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa)

Abstract

Renewable Energy Technologies are rapidly gaining uptake in South Africa, already having more than 3900 MW operational wind, solar PV, Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) and biogas capacity. CSP has the potential to become a leading Renewable Energy Technology, as it is the only one inherently equipped with the facility for large-scale thermal energy storage for increased dispatchability. There are many studies that aim to determine the potential for CSP development in certain regions or countries. South Africa has a high solar irradiation resource by global standards, but few studies have been carried out to determine the potential for CSP. One such study was conducted in 2009, prior to any CSP plants having been built in South Africa. As part of a broader study to determine the impact of CSP on South Africa’s water resources, a geospatial approach was used to optimise this potential based on technological changes and improved spatial data. A tiered approach, using a comprehensive set of criteria to exclude unsuitable areas, was used to allow for the identification of suitable areas, as well as the modelling of electricity generation potential. It was found that there is more than 104 billion m 2 of suitable area, with a total theoretical potential of more than 11,000 TWh electricity generating capacity.

Suggested Citation

  • Dries. Frank Duvenhage & Alan C. Brent & William H.L. Stafford & Dean Van Den Heever, 2020. "Optimising the Concentrating Solar Power Potential in South Africa through an Improved GIS Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-10, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:12:p:3258-:d:375492
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. D. Frank Duvenhage & Alan C. Brent & William H.L. Stafford & S. Grobbelaar, 2020. "Water and CSP—Linking CSP Water Demand Models and National Hydrology Data to Sustainably Manage CSP Development and Water Resources in Arid Regions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-32, April.
    2. Duvenhage, D. Frank & Brent, Alan C. & Stafford, William H.L., 2019. "The need to strategically manage CSP fleet development and water resources: A structured review and way forward," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 813-825.
    3. Fluri, Thomas P., 2009. "The potential of concentrating solar power in South Africa," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(12), pages 5075-5080, December.
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    3. Chen, Fuying & Yang, Qing & Zheng, Niting & Wang, Yuxuan & Huang, Junling & Xing, Lu & Li, Jianlan & Feng, Shuanglei & Chen, Guoqian & Kleissl, Jan, 2022. "Assessment of concentrated solar power generation potential in China based on Geographic Information System (GIS)," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 315(C).

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