Big problems at Eskom

[RandomGeek]

Yeah but even that can be handled in a proper phased approach if you're smart about it.
I mean, look at our complex, even if we purely invested a little bit into getting our security fence to be powered off-grid we'd literally save R50K PM.

The main issue is ignorance I think. That, and a massive issue with desperation, greed and corruption from contracting companies etc.

Its always difficult getting people to a Annual General meeting to discuss these things, and even more difficult for them to approve it. Trust me I was on one for a while, have the grey hairs to prove it...

And on your point of contracting companies overcharging that's a fact, there's also a lot of cowboys in the solar industry

 

[Binary_Bark]

 

[Gordon_R]

Yeah but even that can be handled in a proper phased approach if you're smart about it.
I mean, look at our complex, even if we purely invested a little bit into getting our security fence to be powered off-grid we'd literally save R50K PM.

The main issue is ignorance I think. That, and a massive issue with desperation, greed and corruption from contracting companies etc.

Its a bit difficult retrofitting things, when stuff all over the property is designed to run off 220V AC. We have a nice 12V gel battery to run the gate, but found that the Intercom needs 15V AC, so that is off during LS.

P.S. Even more difficult holding an AGM during lockdown. Ours was via Zoom...

 

[heartbroken]

This was so unexpected, I am shocked by the news.

 

[Rickster]

Just build the 2nd nuclear powerplant and be done with it, am tired of this kuk.

 

[Gordon_R]

Just build the 2nd nuclear powerplant and be done with it, am tired of this kuk.

Medupi is more than a decade overdue. Do you think nuclear would be ready before 2030?

 

[ArmatageShanks]

Just build the 2nd nuclear powerplant and be done with it, am tired of this kuk.

Medupi is more than a decade overdue. Do you think nuclear would be ready before 2030?

We can't even keep the current infrastructure going never mind build anything new.

It's the equivalent of not being able to operate a horse then deciding the solution is a car and airplanes.

 

[R13...]

Not all stations are at that capacity, Camden, Grootvlei, Hendrinia, Komati and Arnot are under 400Mw a unit.

Which is why I said average. Obviously not accurate and I do know Camden is operating with only 2/3 of the eight units due to failures and their ash dam issues.

 

[Slegdehammer67]

If only they were as good with the generating of electricity as they are with stealing money...if ONLY

Oh well, at least I can say: 'I have a dream'...

 

[RaptorSA]

We can't even keep the current infrastructure going never mind build anything new.

It's the equivalent of not being able to operate a horse then deciding the solution is a car and airplanes.

Exactly.
Or like putting a V8 in a car that has no wheels.

We've literally had massive cables dropping off pylons in our area due to those things being more rust than metal these days.

The safest bet is to assume there will be no fix and to try and get off-grid where you can as soon as you can, at least not paying Eskom is a potential option right now. The point at which we should really lose our sh*t and push back is when they inevitably try to tax those folks who are off-grid... all this intermittent moaning is pointless, the die is cast.

 

[Vanessa13]

I would normally use my inverter for one of the schedules then switch to generator for the next. But unfortunately now I've just got to make sure I've got fuel :-( will need to service my bigger generator as it's hit it's 20 hours.

You get 20 straight hours of loadshedding?

 

[Lupus]

Which is why I said average. Obviously not accurate and I do know Camden is operating with only 2/3 of the eight units due to failures and their ash dam issues.

Yup the same ash dam that was supposed to be fixed last year already, you know while it was down for that exact reason. Then we've got Kendal that's 1/3rd down due to emissions, they were told they could do one unit at a time, nah Eskom was like hold my beer.
Then Koeberg needing maintenance sooner, but this will be until June as they are installing the new steam turbines. Then Kusile which was supposed to have 2 units up and running by now, still failing to generate much out of it.
Medupi having more issues again.

 

[RaptorSA]

Exactly.
Or like putting a V8 in a car that has no wheels.

We've literally had massive cables dropping off pylons in our area due to those things being more rust than metal these days.

The safest bet is to assume there will be no fix and to try and get off-grid where you can as soon as you can, at least not paying Eskom is a potential option right now. The point at which we should really lose our sh*t and push back is when they inevitably try to tax those folks who are off-grid... all this intermittent moaning is pointless, the die is cast.

...oh and by the way, that brings me to another point:
Most people assume private energy providers are the solution, we'll here's the catch: None of that makes any difference if you grid fails or can only partially operate due to non-maintenance and those companies would have to make a killing on an already relatively expensive energy source if they wanted to maintain/improve the grid infrastructure themselves, and we just know that the ANC won't let the possibility of making money out of that arrangement go undetected.

...Let that sink in...

 

[Lupus]

You get 20 straight hours of loadshedding?

Nah we get about 9 hours a day, just the generator needs to have it's oil changed at 20 hours.

 

[Lupus]

...oh and by the way, that brings me to another point:
Most people assume private energy providers are the solution, we'll here's the catch: None of that makes any difference if you grid fails due to non-maintenance.

...Let that sink in...

A lot of people are banking on renewables, it's like guys we have 4Gw of renewables installed already. At it's peak we may hit 3.2Gw may hit, though it averages out at 1Gw.

 

[wingnut771]

Nah we get about 9 hours a day, just the generator needs to have it's oil changed at 20 hours.

That's not a lot of runtime. Why so short? A car engine is 15000km, probably thousands of hours.

 

[skeptic_SA]

Hand the control of anything complicated to this inept bunch, are you surprised they **** it up? Would not trust anybody in the ANC with an anvil lest they break or steal it.

 

[Lupus]

That's not a lot of runtime. Why so short? A car engine is 15000km, probably thousands of hours.

I know, this is on the initial run, after that it's every 3 to 6 months. This is why I prefer my little 2 stroke as you just chuck some 2 stroke oil in with the fuel and let it burn away. I only started using the big one after my inverter packed in and it still had fuel in it.

 

[Vanessa13]

Nah we get about 9 hours a day, just the generator needs to have it's oil changed at 20 hours.

Ah yes. I thought for a moment it was getting worse (only on coffee #1 for the day). Not much would surprise me anymore!

 

[The_MAC]

Economies of scale are only justified if the central generator is cheaper than local. Eskom lost that fight with Medupi and Kusile. Now its about chosing the least-worst option, for your particular circumstances.

I would imagine heavy current applications would always benefit from EFFICIENT centralised generation, and only use renewable energy for your "lighter" current applications.