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South African Energy Storage Association (SAESA) chairperson Mikhail Nikomarov also welcomed the work undertaken thus far. He noted that a previous study by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) had created interest in this sector, which is now being further bolstered.

Nikomarov said the battery storage market is lagging somewhat behind other industries, such as the wind energy sector, for example, where there is enough information on its impact and jobs, besides others , with these providing valuable insights into directing policy decisions.

The work done by the IDC, along with the information in the current study, would provide the opportunity to eventually decide which levers can be used, given that resources are limited, he said.

Moreover, it will play a key role in ensuring that employment is increased and that the country follows a just transition path, he said.

Nikomarov highlghted that the country has the capabilities to leapfrog in this arena. For example, he posited that, compared with developed countries, South Africa would not need to use natural gas as a transition fuel, but could go directly from coal-based solutions to renewable energy and storages solutions.

He also pointed out that there is potential for more storage beyond the current dedicated allocation, with the actual upside for storage within the Integrated Resource Plan possibility being much higher, which also widens opportunities for the country.

Moreover, there are three sources of potentially even higher amounts of storage through co-location with solar photovoltaic, wind energy and embedded generation, he pointed out.

Nikomarov said the country’s energy storage system market had grown notably, with the utility energy storage market about to erupt.

For example, he mentioned that Eskom had, in April, tendered for 198 MW as part of a World Bank-funded Battery Energy Storage System programme; and that a further 152 MW is expected later in the year.

Nikomarov also encouraged industry players that feel that they are underrepresented in this arena to contact SAESA, which aims to ensure holistic representation. SAESA seeks to guide policy to allow for accessibly of storage projects and advance the energy storage industry in the country, he noted.

https://www.miningweekly.com/article/south-africa-urged-to-move-quickly-to-capitalise-on-battery-storage-value-chain-opportunities-2021-12-09/rep_id:3650

An ongoing study funded by the World Bank under the guiding leadership of mineral research organisation Mintek has found that there are considerable opportunities for South Africa in the battery storage value chain.

The country, however, needs to move quickly to capitalise on these opportunities to ensure that valuable resources and financial benefits do not leave the region, it was revealed during the World Bank’s Battery Storage Value Chain Creation in Southern Africa Online stakeholder engagement workshop, held on December 9.

Customised Energy Solutions (CES) Power Sector India senior analyst Harsh Thacker told attendees that some of the opportunities already emerging from the World Bank study are found in new energy vehicles, as well as lithium-ion battery (LIB) cell manufacture.

The automotive industry is South Africa's largest manufacturing sector, with about 60% of vehicles being exported, especially to Europe. The industry has a strategic imperative to survive and, therefore, it must pivot to electric vehicle (EV) production to align with global and local targets in this regard, he stated.

For the latter, there is currently no LIB cell production in the country. This is, therefore, a longer-term goal, but would most likely be required to meet local content ambition, the study indicates.

A scenario impact comparison finds that the establishment of an LIB cell manufacturing facility and the production of EV batteries for the local automotive industry will create an additional 890 direct full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs in manufacturing, and 17 192 indirect FTE jobs.

This is notable for a country such as South Africa with a high unemployment rate, particularly among the youth.

The study emphasises that investment in EVs is critical to create a local integrated battery value chain in the country. Over 70% of battery requirements in 2030 are likely to come from the mobility sector in the South Africa market, Thacker said.

The study also highlights that investment in infrastructure, especially electricity, is a must in order for South Africa to compete in mineral beneficiation and mid-stream chemical activities.

Mintek CEO Dr Molefi Motuku highlighted that battery minerals were important for the country.

He noted that Mintek has been piloting capabilities and key recycling initiatives to support the development of segments of the battery value chain.

https://www.recruit.net/job/senior-technical-jobs/A771685F7F8C290B
Senior Technical Buyer Bushveld Minerals (Emalahleni ZA, South Africa)

The primary objective of this position is to be responsible for procuring Engineering and Chemical commodities by applying best procurement principles to optimize cost, quality, service, and reliability

Tasks and outputs:
Conduct procurement processes in order to ensure compliance with Bushveld Minerals' Procurement Policy, Procurement procedures and standards.
Drive BEE compliance targets and put measures in place to monitor spend with remedial action when under achieved in order to achieve targets.
Ensure all materials and services procured, comply with minimum quality and technical standards.
Work with Commodity Manager by identifying long term contract opportunities for goods and services to create sustainable and on-time supply of goods and services while driving down cost.
Collaborate with Production, Planning and Maintenance departments to unpack short- and long-term requirements for projects (demand plan).
Arrange and attend site meetings and work closely with Capital Project Department.
Monitor and evaluate supplier performance on a monthly basis to ensure continuous performance improvement and to achieve continuous on time delivery.
Process all non-stock material and services requisitions within the specified lead times.
Oversee procuring of RAW and Chemical items by the RAW Materials Controller.
Compile Tender Evaluation reports and present to the Tender Adjudication Committees.
Maintain efficient document control practices.
Submit monthly Procurement reports and efficiencies

https://www.recruit.net/job/procurement-superintendent-jobs/0F25FEB0966943A2
Procurement Superintendent Bushveld Minerals (Emalahleni ZA, South Africa)

The primary objective of this position is to manage, improve and transform the Supply Chain Department applying best practices to optimize compliance, cost, quality service delivery.

Tasks and outputs:
Providing support to the operations in reducing the total cost of ownership of products and services purchased by the Procurement Department
Providing support to the Business Unit Manager in the planning and execution of high value, high risk commodity and service strategies
Be able to interpret and apply with the assistance of a Legal Team, the various provisions of the contracts within the portfolio.
Preparing and issuing of RFQ's and tenders, analyzing responses, preparing comparative analysis of offers received and making commercial recommendations
Working with Category Manager in drawing up of Supply and Service contracts ensuring minimal risk to operations with continuity and security of supply and services
Being able to do financial calculations that will assist in determining the best commercial decision being made
Managing relationships with key customers and ensure delivery in accordance with SLA's

https://www.bestmag.co.uk/indnews/new-ion-exchange-membrane-improve-vrfb-performance

Researchers in China have developed a hybrid membrane based on two-dimensional nanohybrid materials to improve the performance of vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs).

The team from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences embedded graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets in the perfluorinated sulfonic acid (PFSA) matrix to act as a ‘barrier’ to reduce vanadium ion permeation.

Tungsten trioxide (WO3) nanoparticles were grown on the surface of the GO nanosheets to overcome the electrostatic effect and enhance the hydrophilicity and dispersibility of the GO nanosheets.

Severe vanadium ion permeation of the PFSA ion-exchange membrane (IEM) used in most VRFBs will shorten the life of the cell and cause unsatisfactory cell performance.

The team was led by professor Huiyun Li, professor Shuhui Yu and doctor Jiaye Ye.

The study was published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials in November.

Doctor Ye, the first author of the study, said: "These hydrophilic tungsten trioxide nanoparticles on GO nanosheet surfaces serve as proton active sites to facilitate proton transportation."

The sheets were embedded into a novel PFSA membrane with a sandwich structure, that had also been reinforced for stability, with a thin layer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). This enabled the graphene oxide sheets to act as a barrier, reducing the permeation of vanadium ions.

The nanoparticles also served as active sites to promote the transport of protons, making for a high coulombic efficiency (>98.1%) and high energy efficiency (>88.9%).

The authors say this exceeds the efficiencies of commercially available membranes, while also addressing the stability issue. The team says the experiments indicate the hybrid membrane is highly suited to vanadium redox flow batteries.

In a previous study, published in Chemical Engineering Journal, the research team developed a sandwich structure composite membrane based on one-dimensional functionalised silicon carbide nanowires.

The researchers introduced functionalised silicon carbide nanowires in a PFSA matrix and sandwiched an ultrathin porous PTFE layer.

This hybrid membrane not only maintains good proton conductivity but also effectively reduces the penetration of vanadium ions, thus improving the performance of the VRFB cell.

These studies provide a preparation strategy for designing high-performance IEMs for VRFBs based on one-dimensional and two-dimensional modified materials, which can be extended to other fields including water treatment and fuel cells.

https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/abs-looks-ahead-to-new-marine-battery-technologies

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has released a new guide to novel and emerging battery technologies, including metal-air, redox flow and solid-state designs.

"As hybrid and all-electric vessels become more common as a means of reducing emissions, improved battery technology will be a requirement to ensure efficient and effective operation of environmentally safe systems,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President of Global Engineering and Technology.

He added that with so many developing technologies relying on a high-power, high-energy source of electricity, it is imperative that new battery technologies are developed and implemented.

The push for decarbonization in the shipping industry has made battery systems quite valuable. Reducing fuel consumption through the use of hybrid systems can aid greatly in reducing emissions, helping the industry towards its target of net-zero CO2 by 2050.

Currently over 150 ships are operating with batteries on board, with another 100 battery-equipped vessels under construction. However, today’s batteries largely serve either as backup power, providing the energy needed for short voyages, or for ships sailing closely to populated areas. They are mostly found on board ferries, tugs and other small or specialized vessels. Batteries are not yet suitable for providing the required power for long voyages.

Currently, the industry's battery users rely on lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, but their limited energy capacity and safety concerns have prompted investments in R&D for next-generation energy storage options. Higher capacity batteries would allow for more efficient hybrid vessels and could potentially make all-electric vessels more viable.

“These potential alternatives to Li-ion batteries are in different stages of research, but they may show promise for battery systems to become more practical and widespread in maritime applications in the future,” the authors wrote.

The battery alternatives considered in the study all show strong potential - but also areas that would need improvement. Metal-air batteries have a very high energy density, but the best available technology has a short lifespan in service. Vanadium redox flow batteries are very durable, and they are easy to scale up for big applications, but they take up a lot of space and have a high up-front cost.

Solid-state lithium batteries - which have a solid electrolyte and no liquid components - are more compact and have a reduced fire risk when compared with lithium-ion batteries. However, the current technology has a short service life, and more research will be required before it can be commercialized

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