Plentify
TRANSFORMING WATER HEATERS INTO INTELLIGENT BATTERIES
This project will pilot an innovative technology that transforms household water heaters into intelligent thermal batteries for smart, clean energy. Electric water heaters in South Africa waste half the energy they consume and drive up demand at peak times when solar is not an option. This contributes to South Africa’s erratic, polluting and costly energy. Plentify’s HotBots are smart devices that turn heaters on only when needed and at optimal times for the electric grid. This shift in energy consumption improves efficiency and boosts solar capacity for municipalities. EEP Africa financing will enable Plentify to expand its pilot project in Cape Town and demonstrate the environmental impact and economic value of the new technology.
Outcome and Impact
The project will deploy HotBots into 500 homes in the City of Cape Town. Every HotBot saves 1 MWh in energy and 1 tonne in CO2e emissions per year. This project brings together private and public partners, including the City of Cape Town and GIZ, to improve energy reliability and efficiency in South Africa. This will accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and reduce the cost of electricity and hot water for households and businesses.