Funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering via Transforming Systems through Partnership, this project aims to develop energy infrastructure planning models/tools for rural urbanisation in South Africa based on optimal peer-to-peer energy sharing.

  • Dates1 April 2020 to 31 March 2022
  • SponsorRoyal Academy of Engineering
  • Funded£27,200
  • PartnersUniversity of Pretoria (South Africa), University of York, Optimal Engineering Solutions (South Africa), Entrust Microgrid Ltd

Currently, the local power grid in South Africa is under severe pressure to provide additional capacity for the newly planned township developments. Peer-to-peer (P2P) energy sharing is an innovative method to enhance local energy generation and demand balance, and reduce the rural community’s reliance on the power grid. To facilitate the rural urbanisation of many areas in South Africa, this project includes:

  1. Energy and power demand modelling for new land developments;
  2. Isolated and networked microgrid development considering P2P energy sharing;
  3. Control algorithms for P2P energy sharing to enhance local energy sufficiency and reduce energy costs for consumers; and
  4. Modern power electronic development to support P2P energy sharing.