Why Stationary Storage is a Game-Changer for Energy Models!

The rapid growth of embedded storage capacity in South Africa between 2022 and 2024 has been primarily driven by residential users and telecommunication companies seeking resilience against frequent power supply interruptions. While these interruptions peaked in 2023 and have since decreased, the role of embedded storage in stabilizing energy access has become a critical point of investigation. Current planning models for the South African electricity system fail to incorporate embedded storage, raising concerns about distorted outcomes in system planning and forecasting. The Role of Embedded Storage in Electricity System Planning Embedded storage plays a crucial role in mitigating supply risks, particularly in contexts where generation capacity is unreliable. By not incorporating embedded storage in electricity planning models, forecasts risk underestimating the true flexibility of the system. This gap may lead to inefficient infrastructure investments, misaligned demand-supply bala...