100
N. Kidunduhu
creating a monopoly from such domination by developing an energy
mix made up of the various renewable energy sources (geothermal, wind,
hydro and solar). The countries will also need to further diversify sources
by including conventional energy sources such as natural gas and charcoal in the energy mix. It will therefore be necessary to invest in the
clean fossil fuel technologies discussed in Sect. 3.4.1.2 to complement
their deployment.
Increased reliance on electricity generated from renewable energy will
lead to high levels of grid penetration by renewables. African countries
will need to develop new strategies for absorbing increasing amounts
of intermittent energy into the power system while maintaining profitable and reliable operation of the grid. This can be done through
modeling, system integration studies and assessments at both the transmission and distribution levels as well as dealing directly with utilities to
ensure adoption of best practices. The countries will also need to consider
demand-side management options as well as investing in energy storage
technologies.
Although most African countries are richly endowed with renewable
energy sources their uneven geographic distribution and variability will
require smoothening through regional collaboration and grid interconnection with neighbouring countries.
99 In this regard, countries will need
to invest in resource mapping and collection of geospatial and economic
information on its renewable energy sources in order to pave way for
renewable energy zoning and integration.
Finally, in order to deal with the issue of supply of minerals and other
critical inputs that could limit the production of some renewable energy
technologies, the continent should incentivize research and development
of readily available substitutes. It will also need to develop efficient recycling systems so as to extend the life of the currently accessible metals
and minerals.
99 Nalule VR, Regional Cooperation in the Establishment of Regional Energy Infrastructure.
In Energy Poverty and Access Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa (pp. 143–168) (Cham: Palgrave
Macmillan 2019).
N. Kidunduhu
creating a monopoly from such domination by developing an energy
mix made up of the various renewable energy sources (geothermal, wind,
hydro and solar). The countries will also need to further diversify sources
by including conventional energy sources such as natural gas and charcoal in the energy mix. It will therefore be necessary to invest in the
clean fossil fuel technologies discussed in Sect. 3.4.1.2 to complement
their deployment.
Increased reliance on electricity generated from renewable energy will
lead to high levels of grid penetration by renewables. African countries
will need to develop new strategies for absorbing increasing amounts
of intermittent energy into the power system while maintaining profitable and reliable operation of the grid. This can be done through
modeling, system integration studies and assessments at both the transmission and distribution levels as well as dealing directly with utilities to
ensure adoption of best practices. The countries will also need to consider
demand-side management options as well as investing in energy storage
technologies.
Although most African countries are richly endowed with renewable
energy sources their uneven geographic distribution and variability will
require smoothening through regional collaboration and grid interconnection with neighbouring countries.
99 In this regard, countries will need
to invest in resource mapping and collection of geospatial and economic
information on its renewable energy sources in order to pave way for
renewable energy zoning and integration.
Finally, in order to deal with the issue of supply of minerals and other
critical inputs that could limit the production of some renewable energy
technologies, the continent should incentivize research and development
of readily available substitutes. It will also need to develop efficient recycling systems so as to extend the life of the currently accessible metals
and minerals.
99 Nalule VR, Regional Cooperation in the Establishment of Regional Energy Infrastructure.
In Energy Poverty and Access Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa (pp. 143–168) (Cham: Palgrave
Macmillan 2019).