A Google company, X, the Moonshot Factory (formerly known as Google X), is working with African renewable energy company, Distributed Power Africa (DPA), in an initiative for virtualisation of South Africa’s electrical transmission and distribution grid. According to DPA and X, the new grid tools they are developing will assist with planning, and promote energy resilience and low carbon power in South Africa.
“We’re delighted to be working with Distributed Power Africa to support their efforts to transition South Africa to a more reliable, sustainable and equitable grid. People everywhere deserve access to clean and reliable power and X’s moonshot for the electric grid team is committed to accelerating an equitable energy transition,” said Audrey Zibelman, VP at X, the Moonshot Factory for the electric grid.
“As someone who spent decades working to make sure the lights stayed on, I know how hard utilities work to ensure energy reliability and how hard this job can be,” added Zibelman. “We are looking forward to learning from DPA and their innovative approach as it will deepen our understanding of the problems that need to be solved in order to transform electrical grids so they better serve the people who rely on them every day.”
X and DPA will focus on building a real-time model for the future of South Africa’s electricity system to improve planning and operation of the grid, address blackouts, ensure reliable electricity, and facilitate an increased reliance on renewable energy sources. The platform can also help to expedite assessments and placement of new clean energy sources, allowing for quick development of new power plants and a faster response to South Africa’s electricity crisis.
Virtual platform & tools to enable grid resilience
“Our work with X will provide the missing piece in the energy ecosystem in Africa. X’s moonshot for the electric grid team is enabling a virtual matching platform for generators and consumers of electrons. Africa’s biggest crisis today is energy security. There is a strong correlation between energy security and GPD growth. Distributed energy is a key catalyst to leapfrog the continent’s legacy energy structural deficiencies,” said Norman Moyo, CEO of Distributed Power Africa.
X earlier this year announced that it is working on a moonshot for the electric grid. The team is developing new computational tools designed to give everyone who manages and operates the ability to plan, build, and manage a clean and resilient grid. Leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence, the team is building tools to enable the real-time virtualisation of electric grids.
The X team hopes to provide everyone who is involved in building, managing and using the grid – from grid operators, governments and utilities, to renewable energy and storage developers – with the insights they need to improve the planning and operation of the grid with the goal of eliminating blackouts and ensuring reliable electricity.
