A major step towards safeguarding its energy future has been done by the Cape Town Market, one of the oldest and third largest fresh produce marketplaces in South Africa and a historic monument in Epping. Recently, the market experienced a major shift towards green energy with the installation of over 3,000 solar panels and the integration of a sophisticated battery energy storage system.
In addition to demonstrating the market’s dedication to environmental stewardship, this revolutionary project guarantees its operational resilience. The market now has a 3MWh power system with a 1.4MWh output from the recently installed solar panels. The market is well-known for its wide network of technology to maintain high-quality produce and services.
The newly installed Storage and Demand Management system includes several critical components aimed at optimizing energy usage and ensuring uninterrupted operations. Among these are a demand management system that targets interruptible loads such as heating in banana rooms and chiller compressor reductions during grid peak times and load shedding. Additionally, the system includes battery storage capable of charging during off-peak periods and solar production times, and discharging during peak periods.
To complement these systems, the market has also installed a stand-by generator capable of handling peak demands when other energy sources are unavailable. An advanced programmable logic controller and intelligent algorithms manage the energy flow automatically, ensuring efficient energy utilization across the market’s operations.
The market’s shift towards renewable energy is part of a broader commitment to sustainability, which includes significant efforts to reduce waste. Approximately 90% of the market’s waste is diverted from landfills, demonstrating its commitment to environmental preservation.
Furthermore, the Cape Town Market donates about half of its discarded produce to Food on the Table, a non-profit organization that supports over 100 soup kitchens around the city. This initiative not only helps reduce waste but also addresses food insecurity among the city’s less fortunate populations.
Alderman Vos expressed pride in the market’s integration of sustainability in its operations, noting, “The market, which is owned by the City and leased to the Cape Town Market (Pty) Ltd, a private company consisting of industry players, is an example of a world-class site that centers people, the planet, and products while maintaining the highest standard of quality and service.”
