Gqeberha, South Africa: A hybrid energy solution, which has been implemented for one of the world’s leading manufacturers of light-alloy wheels used in some of the world’s most well-known luxury car brands ‒ such as Ford, Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes Benz and Isuzu ‒ reduces environmental impact, ensures energy savings and minimizes potential losses during electricity outages.
Blue Energy Africa, a South African-based, Africa-focused developer and operator of clean energy infrastructure, has entered into a 20-year agreement with Borbet SA for the procurement of power from renewable energy sources.
Founded in 1962 by Peter Wilhelm Borbet, the family-owned company has five locations in Germany, as well as one each in Austria and South Africa.
The Solar PV and battery storage energy system solution at Borbet SA’s production facility in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape will see the deployment of a state-of-the-art energy system, comprising more than 5 MWp of solar PV panels installed on rooftops, carports and final product storage areas, integrated with a 4 MWh battery energy storage system and a generator for ultimate operational resilience. This enables a peak power generation capacity of 5 350 KWp, with 4 000 kWh additional battery energy storage solution (BESS), while generating over 7000 000 kWh per year and reducing carbon emissions by 6 000 tons per year.
According to Brenton van Vuuren, managing director of Borbet SA, the first phase of this project will reduce Borbet SA’s reliance on Eskom-generated electricity by 8%, which will ensure continuous business operation and productivity.
Says Van Vuuren, “With this, we are taking the first step towards decarbonisation. Adopting environmentally friendly and sustainable practices is bound to have a positive impact on our reputation.”
Jan van Ravenswaay, chief technical officer and chief operations officer of Blue Energy Africa, adds, “We are thrilled to introduce our innovative system, which represents a paradigm shift in how energy is managed and ensures operational resilience.
“The biggest win is the system’s ability to safely shut down operations during high levels of load shedding or power outage, which will decrease the scrapping of final products produced, ensuring continuity and minimizing losses.”
The solution is designed to provide Borbet SA with options to ensure energy savings, but also energy security and operational resilience. By harnessing the power of solar energy and integrating advanced battery storage technology, the system offers multifaceted benefits aimed at reducing environmental impact, optimising energy usage and enhancing operational reliability.
The hybrid energy solution will empower Borbet SA to improve energy consumption, reduce reliance on conventional energy sources, and mitigate operational risks associated with power outages.
