The African Women Business Energy Network (AWBEN) – a platform created to advocate for career advancement for women in the African energy sector – has launched its call for nominations for this year’s 25 Under 40 Energy Women Rising Stars.

With the almost weekly prolonged power cuts across many municipalities, residents – be these homes or businesses – are often left scratching their heads as to why their power backup is not working. Lance Dickerson, MD at REVOV, explores how to get the most out of backup batteries.

As businesses experience growing pressure to enhance operational efficiency and reduce downtime due to electrical failure, condition-based maintenance (CBM) becomes essential for preventing unforeseen equipment breakdowns by assessing the real-time health of electrical systems, explains Nontu Mkhize of Schneider Electric.

Loadshedding remains a significant challenge in South Africa, making backup systems such as solar panels, batteries, or generators essential. A microgrid can manage these systems effectively, adjusting based on a site's demand or specific application needs.

Energy storage is no longer an add-on, but the foundation of a reliable, resilient, and renewable energy system. As South Africa accelerates towards a greener future, storage innovation could determine the difference between progress and paralysis, writes Ezzat Sankari, channels business director for Sungrow across the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia at Sungrow.