Big problems with load limiting 

Former Eskom transmission senior manager Hein Vosloo believes that Eskom’s current approach to load limiting, as an alternative to load shedding, is not a cost-effective or efficient solution for South Africa’s power crisis.  

Load limiting requires residents to manually reduce their power usage during periods of high demand, which necessitates the use of expensive smart meters. Vosloo estimates that the cost of implementing smart meters across the country would amount to R16 billion and take four to eight years. Additionally, the reduction in grid load achieved through load limiting would be relatively minimal, equivalent to about one and a half stages of load shedding.  

Vosloo supports an alternative proposal for automated load limiting using a small, inexpensive device that monitors grid frequency and automatically curbs power usage when needed. This approach is seen as more affordable and efficient compared to smart meters. 

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