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Wessel Wessels
CEO and Founder Journey2Green - Helping others to use my network to build their own Network Capital
Wessel Wessels is an experienced business leader and entrepreneur based in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Journey2Green, a company he established in April 2018.1 Journey2Green focuses on providing risk-free and guaranteed return on investment for Solar PV installations, emphasizing the long-term value of renewable energy assets.1
Professional Background
Wessels has a diverse career history in the energy and technology sectors:
Renewable Energy Leadership::
- CEO and Founder of Journey2Green (2018-present)1
- CEO of Gigawatt Energy (August 2018 - March 2019)1
- Group COO and CEO South Africa at Distributed Power Africa (August 2017 - March 2018)1
- CEO of BrightBlack Energy (January 2015 - June 2017)1
Other Roles::
- Director at Shingi Solutions (2005-present)1
- General Manager - Outsourcing at Bytes Technology Group (February 2002 - March 2003)1
Expertise and Approach
Wessels is known for:
- Overcoming complex business challenges in large organizations1
- Applying innovative thinking and extensive experience to drive conceptual business goals into practical solutions1
- Developing new business opportunities with strategic foresight1
- Focusing on the entire lifecycle of renewable energy projects, emphasizing the long-term value over 25+ years1
Recognition
In November 2024, Wessels was awarded CEO of the Year (Renewable Energy) for the Gauteng region, highlighting his leadership in the renewable energy sector.2
Wessel Wessels leverages his network and experience to help others build their own "Network Capital," reflecting his commitment to fostering connections and growth in the business community.1
Highlights
BESS Parallel
In BESS solutions, Parallel Batteries or Inverters?
The trend in South Africa to parallel batteries on a common DC Bus, vs the safer option of rather paralleling the inverters ie battery bank per inverter, is something we as a industry must look at seriously especially with HV systems. The industry got used to a common DC Bus, as it is a common practise in the LV space.
But the following led us to re consider this practise, coupled to some technology partners (Inverter & Batteries) supporting paralleling inverters rather than batteries:
For high-voltage batteries with large energy, due to the large number of internal series-connected cells, the cumulative error in voltage acquisition is large, and the parallel voltage difference between batteries will also increase. However, the moment when batteries are directly paralleled, it will cause hedging between batteries. Large current may cause battery damage, leading to quicker degradation and higher fire risk.
When high-voltage Batteries is paralleled, the voltage difference between the batteries must be as small as possible to reduce the hedging effect caused by the excessive voltage difference between the batteries.
Does this mean at the most a Power:Energy ratio of 1:2 as per the trend for utility BESS solutions or is 1:4 safe enough?
What is the industry experts saying?
