The Journey to Green at the German International School Cape Town (DSK)

The German International School Cape Town (Deutsche Internationale Schule Kapstadt – DSK) has taken a significant step towards sustainability with the inauguration of a new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) alongside their existing PV system. This advanced system marks a milestone in DSK’s ongoing journey to harness solar energy for a greener future.

The Benefits of BESS

Grid Peak Shaving: The primary function of the BESS is to limit the maximum power drawn from the grid, effectively preventing the school’s main supply from tripping. On typical days, solar PV generation helps in preventing grid overload. However, during winter on cloudy days, when the school’s load is higher than the grid supply, the BESS plays a crucial role. After a day of load shedding, even if there’s insufficient capacity to charge the battery fully, the system helps manage the load efficiently.

Reduced Energy Bills: Before the BESS installation, DSK sold back excess solar PV power at a fraction of what it purchases power at. The larger capacity of the BESS now allows the school to consume all the PV-generated power, significantly increasing savings and improving the payback period of the initial solar investment.

Energy Management System: The new energy management system provides greater control over energy usage. It offers a central monitoring platform for solar generation, load, and battery storage, enabling users to change the battery’s primary function between backup and increased self-consumption as needed.

Moving Forward

Through our comprehensive service level agreement, we offer an extended 10-year total product warranty to the school to ensure peace of mind in operating a complex asset. The system also grants access to additional services, future-proofing the school’s ability to adapt to changing network requirements and opportunities. These include: