Energy storage is crucial for Africa's sustainable future, especially as demand grows and grids become constrained. The continent, traditionally reliant on fossil fuels, is increasingly embracing renewables like solar, bolstered by advances in battery technology. These innovations enable storing excess energy for use when needed, addressing the intermittency of renewable sources. 

On Thursday, 15 August 2024, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s (CSIR), Energy Storage Testbed (ESTB) and Electrochemical Energy Technologies (EET) hosted the Industry Tech Day, where the team showcased cutting-edge battery testing and research capabilities.

“The Tech Day aimed to demonstrate the cutting-edge capabilities of the CSIR ESTB and the innovative work of the EET research group by showcasing ongoing research projects, with a focus on their practical applications and real-world impact. We envisage that this initiative will create opportunities for meaningful connections among industry experts, researchers, and stakeholders, as well as encourage strategic partnerships and collaborations to advance future energy storage solutions. It will also attract new clients and deepen existing partnerships to enhance opportunities for intellectual property commercialisation,” says Cathy Maidi, Business Development Practitioner with the Energy Research Centre.

Thabang Mabeo, the ESTB Operator, says “The Tech Day provided a great platform to share our capabilities in battery testing and material development with key industry players. The experience of showcasing our state-of-the-art testing systems, including high-precision battery module tests and temperature chambers for harsh climate evaluations, truly highlighted the CSIR’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of energy storage technologies. We shared some gaps in the battery industry, touching on the lithium-ion battery fires and battery management system shortcomings. The stakeholders also shared their experiences with the battery technology. This event reinforced the critical role of innovative R&D in advancing South Africa’s energy strategy and fostering collaborative industrial growth.”

The ESTB facility is equipped with a high-precision system for battery module and pack tests. It has many channels to test numerous batteries in parallel under dissimilar test cycles. It also has a new-generation temperature chamber to provide data on the operating behaviour of batteries used in harsh climates which will impact optimal performance.

Moreover, the EET research group focuses on developing new materials-based technologies for energy storage systems and demonstrating these technologies to enable new industrial activity through the manufacturing of such materials and systems.

Nomthandazo Mabena, the researcher at the EET research group who demonstrated the technology during the lab tour, says, "It’s always exhilarating to showcase the groundbreaking work we’re doing at the Energy Centre. Much like the principle that energy can only be transformed, our research continually adapts to address new challenges. The Industry Tech Day provided a valuable platform to present our latest advancements in lithium-ion batteries and fuel cell technology. This event not only underscored our progress in enhancing energy storage efficiency, safety, and sustainability but also facilitated meaningful engagement with industry leaders. Furthermore, insights and potential collaborations that emerged will undoubtedly fuel further innovation in clean energy solutions, emphasising the role our research plays in shaping the future of energy technology."

This event was a stepping stone to taking the lead in the energy storage research development and innovation industry. Robust discussions were held about the importance of increased R&D investment and collaboration to support South Africa’s National 2030 Energy Strategy which notably plans the introduction of 29.3 GW of new generation capacity in South Africa by 2030, including more than 7 GW of new gas projects, 4.5 GW of wind, 3.6 GW of solar PV and 6.3 GW of distributed generation.

Additionally, the inception of the Industry Tech Day was a success, gathering more than 50 key industry stakeholders who were introduced to some of the previous and current research projects, the Energy Centre, and its capabilities.

Investment in energy storage is vital not just for reducing operational costs but for ensuring energy security and meeting climate goals. As the world gears up for COP28, Africa must advocate for the support necessary to transition to a low-carbon future.