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Assessing seasonal energy storage with value stacking to support South Africa’s energy transition
Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613868763643904 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Vivier, Tiaan |
| author2 | Bekker, B. (Bernard) |
| author_browse | Bekker, B. (Bernard) Vivier, Tiaan |
| author_facet | Bekker, B. (Bernard) Vivier, Tiaan |
| author_sort | Vivier, Tiaan |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134861 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:42:59.065Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134861 Assessing seasonal energy storage with value stacking to support South Africa’s energy transition Vivier, Tiaan Bekker, B. (Bernard) Auret, C. (Christina) Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Energy storage -- South Africa Renewable energy sources -- South Africa Energy transition -- South Africa Storage batteries -- South Africa Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. Vivier, T. 2025. Assessing Seasonal Energy Storage with Value Stacking to Support South Africa’s Energy Transition. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/4c3b492f-34d5-46e8-afd7-ecd27bf6850d ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Variable renewable energy (VRE), in the form of wind and solar power, is expected to be the foundation of South Africa’s future decarbonized electrical power system. However, the intermittent nature of VRE poses significant challenges in this power system and is likely to result in seasonal energy imbalances. Seasonal energy storage offers a potential solution by storing excess energy generated during periods of high renewable output and releasing it when generation is low, effectively bridging seasonal gaps. This study investigates the economic competitiveness of seasonal energy storage in South Africa's future decarbonized power system to improve the efficiency of long-term capacity expansion plans. By introducing the concept of value stacking, the study explores how seasonal energy storage can deliver multiple benefits simultaneously, thereby enhancing its economic attractiveness. Using South Africa’s projected energy mix, the research identifies the most effective timeframes for seasonal energy storage deployment. A techno-economic analysis was conducted across three seasonal energy storage technologies: pumped hydro, compressed air, and hydrogen energy storage. Each technology is evaluated over three discharge durations, namely one week, two weeks, and four weeks. A benefit-cost ratio is used to assess financial viability across these scenarios. A detailed sizing analysis was also performed to determine the most appropriate technology and capacity under the different Integrated Resource Plan scenarios, each reflecting various levels of VRE penetration. The findings reveal that seasonal energy storage can become economically competitive when multiple value streams, such as seasonal storage, peaking generation support, congestion relief, and curtailment reduction, are considered together. This research provides meaningful insights for policymakers, system planners, and investors interested in supporting resilient, low-carbon energy systems through the integration of long-duration energy storage. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Veranderlike hernubare energie (VHE), in die vorm van wind- en sonkrag, gaan na verwagting die grondslag van Suid-Afrika se toekomstige gedekarboniseerde elektrisiteitsnetwerk vorm. Die wisselvallige aard van VHE stel egter beduidende uitdagings aan die doeltreffendheid van die gebruik van hierdie hulpbronne en kan lei tot seisoenale energie-wanbalanse. Seisoenale energiestoring bied ’n moontlike oplossing deur oortollige energie wat gedurende periodes van hoë hernubare opwekking gegenereer word, te stoor en dit vry te stel wanneer opwekking lag is, wat seisoenale gapings doeltreffend oorbrug. Hierdie studie ondersoek die ekonomiese mededingendheid van seisoenale energiestoring in Suid-Afrika se toekomstige gedekarboniseerde kragstelsel en hoe dit die doeltreffendheid van langtermyn kapasiteitsuitbreidingsplanne kan verbeter. Deur die konsep van waarde-stapeling in te voer, verken die studie hoe seisoenale energiestoring gelyktydig veelvuldige stelselvlakvoordele kan lewer en sodoende sy ekonomiese aantreklikheid kan verbeter. Met behulp van Suid-Afrika se geprojekteerde energiemengsel, identifiseer die navorsing die mees doeltreffende tydraamwerke vir seisoenale energiestoring-ontplooiing. ’n Tegno-ekonomiese analise word uitgevoer oor drie seisoenale energiestoring-tegnologieë: gepompte hidro, saamgeperste lug en waterstof-energietoring. Elke tegnologie word geëvalueer oor drie ontladingsperiodes, naamlik een week, twee weke en vier weke. Die voordeel-koste-verhouding (VKV) word gebruik om die finansiële lewensvatbaarheid oor hierdie scenario’s te beoordeel. ’n Gedetailleerde kapasiteitsanalise word ook uitgevoer om die mees geskikte tegnologie en kapasiteit onder verskillende Geïntegreerde Hulpbronplanne te bepaal, wat elk verskillende vlakke van VHE-penetrasie weerspieël. Die bevindinge toon dat seisoenale energiestoring finansieel lewensvatbaar kan word wanneer veelvuldige waardestrome, soos seisoenale berging, piekvermoë-ondersteuning, verligting van netwerk-kongestie en die vermindering van kragafskaling, saam oorweeg word. Hierdie navorsing bied waardevolle insigte vir beleidsmakers, stelselbeplanners en beleggers wat belangstel in die ondersteuning van veerkragtige, lae-koolstof-energiestelsels deur die integrasie van langtermyn-energiebestuur. Masters 2026-01-13T07:30:04Z 2026-01-13T07:30:04Z 2025-12 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134861 Stellenbosch University xiii, 84, [14] pages : illustrations application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Energy storage -- South Africa Renewable energy sources -- South Africa Energy transition -- South Africa Storage batteries -- South Africa Vivier, Tiaan Assessing seasonal energy storage with value stacking to support South Africa’s energy transition |
| title | Assessing seasonal energy storage with value stacking to support South Africa’s energy transition |
| title_full | Assessing seasonal energy storage with value stacking to support South Africa’s energy transition |
| title_fullStr | Assessing seasonal energy storage with value stacking to support South Africa’s energy transition |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing seasonal energy storage with value stacking to support South Africa’s energy transition |
| title_short | Assessing seasonal energy storage with value stacking to support South Africa’s energy transition |
| title_sort | assessing seasonal energy storage with value stacking to support south africa s energy transition |
| topic | Energy storage -- South Africa Renewable energy sources -- South Africa Energy transition -- South Africa Storage batteries -- South Africa |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134861 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT viviertiaan assessingseasonalenergystoragewithvaluestackingtosupportsouthafricasenergytransition |