The Future of Energy - An iX Young Engineer's Perspective
The landscape of energy generation and storage is ever-changing, with the introduction and exploration of solutions such as Solar, Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen.
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In a continent and time where the need for alternative energy solutions is necessary, especially in Africa, several living areas do not have access to electricity, with some having to deal with load shedding and load reduction. These factors limit access to reliable energy solutions and cause disruptions in the daily lives of many people and communities across the globe. AAt iX engineers, we provide sustainable, future-focused energy solutions.
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iX engineers supports a culture of learning, innovation, and futuristic thinking. This culture is propelled by the young technical and support teams who are part of the collective that makes up the Energy Department.
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Over the years, iX engineers has provided energy solutions to clients in South Africa and various countries across our continent. Our solutions are tailored to the specific needs of our clients. We adopt cutting-edge technologies to provide energy solutions focused on solving future challenges.
In the world of Renewable Energy, iX engineers thrives on futuristic solutions.
What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy comes from unlimited, naturally replenished resources, such as the sun, tides, and wind. Renewable energy can be used for electricity generation, space and water heating and cooling, and transportation.
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What are some of the benefits of Renewable Energy?
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The global path to decarbonisation will result in an increased need for sustainable and efficient renewable energy infrastructure. Resources like land and water must be used intelligently to address the Food Energy Water (FEW) Nexus.
Solutions such as Agrivoltaics, the dual use of land for agriculture, and Solar Photovoltaic (Solar PV) technologies, more commonly known as solar panels, present opportunities to maximise the sustainable use of limited natural resources.
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Floating Solar PV uses underutilised bodies of water for electricity generation. The energy yield is increased while at the same time reducing water evaporation from dams and lakes, preserving this precious resource in water-scarce climates.
Using Agrivoltaics and Solar PV can lead to higher crop yields, lower water consumption, and higher energy output. It also provides farmers with an additional potential source of income during adverse weather periods, resulting in lower harvest outputs.
Solar PV: Driving the Global Shift to Clean Energy
Photovoltaic (PV) panels, commonly called solar panels, are made up of individual cells that have layers of semiconductor materials that are arranged in positive and negative layers (like the setup of a battery). Light energy from the sun is absorbed by these panels and hits the layers of semiconductors with photons (sunlight) to create a flow of electrical current. The energy from the photons frees electrons within the semiconductor material, which makes direct current (DC) electricity. Photovoltaics (often shortened as PV) gets its name from the process of converting light (photons) to electricity (voltage), which is called the photovoltaic effect.
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The versatility of solar energy usage makes it a better choice when providing alternative energy needs. Many countries are experiencing shortages in electricity capacity, which has led to load-reducing methods being adopted across continents. Solar energy can be used to generate electricity, generate heat, and create chemical reactions. Solar-heated geysers, for example, have allowed for reduced costs in housing development. In some desert areas, solar has been used to craft ovens, proving that renewable energy can positively change the value of life in even the most remote places.
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What are some of the benefits of Solar?
As we experience increasing global warming challenges, solar energy holds great potential for meeting humanity’s energy needs while drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Green Hydrogen: A Game-Changer for Sustainable Energy
At iX engineers, we provide sustainable, future-focused energy solutions. Grey hydrogen is traditionally produced from methane (CH4), split with steam into CO2—the main culprit for climate change—and H2 hydrogen. Green Hydrogen has the potential to provide clean power for manufacturing, transportation, and more, and its only byproduct is water. Hydrogen can also be produced through the electrolysis of water, leaving nothing but oxygen as a byproduct.
Producing green hydrogen by electrolysis from renewable sources involves breaking down water molecules (H2O) into oxygen (O2) and hydrogen (H2).
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What are some of the benefits of Green Hydrogen?
iX engineers’ Energy Expertise
At iX engineers, we believe in creating solutions that will benefit future generations and contribute towards a green environment. As the need for Renewable and sustainable energy solutions increases it is evident that the need for reliable renewable energy infrastructure will also increase.
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At iX engineers, we are driven by the need to create innovative infrastructure solutions. We develop technologically advanced concepts by conducting thorough research and feasibility studies. We have experienced engineering teams that conceptualise, develop a master plan and conduct studies with high-level engineering designs.
Our passion is to deliver infrastructure excellence.
Takudzwa Mawire
Renewable Energy Engineer: Minigrids
Tel: +27 (0)12 745 2000 | [email protected]
Website: www.ixengineers.co.za
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