tibby.dude
24-02-2006, 10:33 AM
From another forum by an ex-Eskom chap.
The total WC and western half of the EC (Mossel Bay to west of PE) peak load is about 4.5GW.
If there are two Koeberg units (1.8GW), you need roughly 2.7GW brought in on the lines.
The three southern loop lines (via Beaufort West, from there, two head for Muldersvlei, one heads for Bacchus, between Rawsonville and Villiersdorp), are good for 3GW comfortably.
The northern loop line via the northern Cape floats. I.e. it's configuration is such, that no matter what you, do you can't send a lot of power up and around, call it 200 megs at most.
So in effect, if one Koeberg unit is out, you have capacity to deliver 4.1GW to the Cape, and Eskom/CTCC uses pumped storage to lop the peaks, Athlone gas turbines, Acacia GTs, and you push the lines past their 75 degree limit.
If a second contingency hits, there's trouble.
A line out, or the remaining Koeberg unit out, well, you've seen the consequences.
I think I am going to invest in a gas cooking appliance for the winter ... already got a gas heater.
The total WC and western half of the EC (Mossel Bay to west of PE) peak load is about 4.5GW.
If there are two Koeberg units (1.8GW), you need roughly 2.7GW brought in on the lines.
The three southern loop lines (via Beaufort West, from there, two head for Muldersvlei, one heads for Bacchus, between Rawsonville and Villiersdorp), are good for 3GW comfortably.
The northern loop line via the northern Cape floats. I.e. it's configuration is such, that no matter what you, do you can't send a lot of power up and around, call it 200 megs at most.
So in effect, if one Koeberg unit is out, you have capacity to deliver 4.1GW to the Cape, and Eskom/CTCC uses pumped storage to lop the peaks, Athlone gas turbines, Acacia GTs, and you push the lines past their 75 degree limit.
If a second contingency hits, there's trouble.
A line out, or the remaining Koeberg unit out, well, you've seen the consequences.
I think I am going to invest in a gas cooking appliance for the winter ... already got a gas heater.