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‘Energy in a box’ – how microgrids could drive electric vehicle adoption in SA

‘Energy in a box’ – how microgrids could drive electric vehicle adoption in SA
A solar microgrid that powers 200 homes in Amarasta informal settlement in Alexandra, the first microgrid in Gauteng, 20 March 2024. (Photo: Julia Evans)
Julia Evans
By Julia Evans
3 Apr 2025
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South Africa’s transition to electric vehicles faces several hurdles, such as deploying accessible charging infrastructure that doesn’t put further strain on our grid. Off-grid, solar-powered chargers might be the solution.

In 2023, more than 1,200 new electric vehicles, all requiring charging, were sold in South Africa. While traditional hybrids, which recharge via regenerative braking, still lead in sales, the demand for plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles is growing, along with the need for corresponding charging infrastructure. As with any emerging technology, this brings its share of anxieties.


 

“From our experience, the topic of range anxiety and access to charging stations is a risk when consumers consider purchasing EVs, (electric vehicles) particularly when consumers do not plan to install solar, batteries and inverter systems at home, and have to rely on public charging infrastructure,” chief projects officer at the Automotive Business Council Shivani Singh told Daily Maverick.

The Automotive Business Council estimates South Africa has about 443 public charging stations. But with the transition to EVs – necessary because the transport sector accounts for about 12% to 14% of SA’s total CO2 emissions, the biggest emitter after the power industry – comes the issue of increased energy supply and a national grid that cannot support it.

Eskom is a 102-year-old utility with ageing infrastructure, particularly in the distribution and generation areas. 

off-grid ev charging station An off-grid electric vehicle charging station with ultra-fast chargers at Zero Carbon Charge’s Wolmaransstad Station on the N12 between Johannesburg and Kimberley. (Photo: Zero Carbon Charge)



“We have an opportunity to leverage the containerised microgrids to actually use them for electric vehicle charging,” Nick Singh, smart grid manager at Eskom’s Research, Testing and Development Centre, told Daily Maverick.

Read more: ‘Solar is the way to go’ to fight SA’s energy poverty, adviser in the Presidency tells conference

What are microgrids?


Microgrids are localised energy systems that can operate independently or while connected to the national grid.

Singh describes them as “energy in a box” – essentially a shipping container housing the control system, along with an inverter, battery storage and a renewable energy source like solar or wind. These components allow the microgrid to generate, store and distribute power efficiently.

“Smart Control systems manage supply and demand,” Singh explains. “It will be able to communicate [with] your smart metering infrastructure, which is in the houses that are connected to the microgrid,” thus managing supply and demand in real time

If a failure occurs, the system can diagnose and repair itself without requiring a technician. “It repairs itself using algorithms and the controllers that are embedded in these microgrids,” Singh says.

Originally for rural electrification, Singh believes microgrids can address the growing need for EV charging infrastructure without overloading the grid. They can be grid-tied or off-grid. Off-grid microgrids suit remote areas where extending the national grid is impractical. Grid-tied applications connect with the national grid while operating independently, ensuring power availability with minimal grid impact.

Microgrids as EV charging stations


Eskom’s containerised microgrids can be equipped with EV chargers ranging from 60kW to 180kW, providing enough energy to dispatch nearly 1,300km of EV range. Singh says that with a 45kWh battery, the microgrid could charge four cars from zero to 100%, or eight cars for a 50% charge.

Sing said the microgrids could be used for both rural electrification and EV charging. They could easily be deployed in cities or along national routes where charging infrastructure was sparse.

Local manufacturing at Komati Power Station 


komati A demo of a containerised solar microgrid that is assembled as part of the repurposing project at Komati Power Station. (Photo: Julia Evans)



As part of the Just Energy Transition, Eskom decommissioned its Komati coal-fired power station in 2022. The site has since been repurposed into a renewable energy training facility and a factory for assembling containerised solar microgrids.

Read more: Shut-down Komati Power Station first of its kind to be repurposed into renewable energy training facility

Singh said more than 35 containerised microgrids had been manufactured and were being used internally by the Eskom Distribution division.

“We’ve created three microgrid assembly lines and started extensive training programs at Komati, focusing on welders, fabricators, solar technicians and wind technicians, in partnership with the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre,” Singh said.

Eskom also has active public installations in Swartkopdam and Noenieput in the Northern Cape, Ficksburg in the Free State and Grassridge in Mpumalanga that have been operational from as early as 2017.

container electricty swartkopdam northern cape An aerial view of the containerised microgrid and the small town of Swartkopdam in the Northern Cape. (Photo: Ethan van Diemen)



solar microgrid alexandra A solar microgrid that powers 200 homes in Amarasta informal settlement in Alexandra, the first microgrid in Gauteng, 20 March 2024. (Photo: Julia Evans)


Pros of off-grid EV charging


Off-grid EV charging solutions are proving particularly effective along South Africa’s national routes, where traditional charging stations face challenges due to limited infrastructure and low population density. These systems often use renewable energy, making them a cleaner alternative to grid-tied stations.

Zero Carbon Charge is one such company offering off-grid solar-powered EV stations. Menelaos Meli, head of electrical engineering at Zero Carbon Charge, said their stations generated electricity on site using solar panels and battery storage, eliminating the need for the national grid. Their first public station, located in Wolmaransstad on the N2 between Johannesburg and Kimberley, offers 240kW ultra-fast charging, with more sites in development.

“Generating power on site ensures reliability and resilience, especially in a country facing load shedding,” Meli said. “This model also allows for rapid expansion without being limited by grid availability or delays.”

Meli further emphasised that charging EVs with coal-fired electricity simply shifted emissions from tailpipes to power plants, whereas Zero Carbon Charge's model ensured that every kilometre driven was genuinely more environmentally friendly.

Michael Maas, CEO of Zimi Charge, a Cape Town company offering charging solutions for electric fleets, echoed the benefits of renewables.

“EV charging from renewables reduces grid strain and often lowers operational costs,” he said. Zimi splits its clients between those using the national grid and those relying on off-grid solar installations.

Maas noted that many clients were moving to solar, with solar canopies or rooftop systems often set up in large parking areas adjacent to warehouses.

Renewable energy company Rubicon operates 136 grid-tied chargers in SA.

While most of its chargers are connected to renewable energy sources, Greg Blandford, Managing Director of Sustainable Technology and E-Mobility at Rubicon, said that this isn’t always possible.

 “Our first priority is finding sites with renewable energy and sufficient power capacity,” he said.

Challenges


Despite the advantages, off-grid EV charging stations face significant challenges, primarily high upfront costs and long payback periods. Greg Blandford from Rubicon explained that full off-grid charging was presently not feasible due to these financial hurdles, adding that ideally, a well-used site should have a payback period of 3-5 years. 

He also sees large-scale battery systems as a viable solution, supporting both the grid and EV charging, while facilitating load management and energy arbitrage.

“Eskom is correct in stating that large batteries are the way to go, but they must be grid-connected to make the economics work,” he said.

Meli from Zero Carbon Charge echoed the need for stronger government support to foster EV adoption, particularly through tax incentives. He also raised concerns about the slow and complex permitting process, calling for streamlined procedures to expedite the rollout of essential infrastructure.

“South Africa needs policies that enable development, not hurdles that hinder it,” Meli stressed, noting that positive engagements with provincial governments offered hope for future collaboration.

The Automotive Business Council’s Shivani Singh acknowledged the merits of off-grid charging, especially in reducing lifecycle emissions from transportation, but highlighted the high initial costs and regulatory challenges that could cause delays.

“Grid-tied stations, supported by renewable sources, seem to be the more practical short-term solution as they are cheaper to install and quicker to deploy,” she said. “Over time, as the EV market grows, the use of renewable energy for charging will likely increase.”

Singh also emphasised the importance of a multi-faceted approach to charging infrastructure. “The charging needs of passenger cars differ from those of buses and trucks, so it’s crucial to develop an affordable and reliable national network.”

Nick Singh from Eskom pointed out that grid-tied microgrids could draw additional power from the national grid, making them scalable for urban deployment in repurposed locations such as former petrol stations. This flexibility reduced strain on Eskom’s infrastructure.

“When energy is dispatched from the microgrid, the electric vehicle draws it from there, not directly from the grid, reducing its impact,” Singh said.

Meli from Zero Carbon Charge also mentioned that they were adapting their off-grid approach for urban environments. While challenges such as space constraints and regulatory hurdles existed, he believed the right design and support could make it feasible.

Meanwhile, the Automotive Business Council’s Singh said the council was supporting a nationwide initiative to install 120 EV charging stations along key travel routes.

“A wider network of publicly accessible chargers will address consumer concerns about access and availability, potentially encouraging more people to consider EVs,” she said. DM

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