Energy storage systems helping Eskom to keep the lights on

Daniel Puchert

Daniel Puchert

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Big hidden "batteries" beating load-shedding in South Africa

Multiple types of energy storage have played a critical role in helping Eskom avoid load-shedding over the past few months, according to EE Business Intelligence head and reputed energy expert Chris Yelland.

However, the potential of this energy storage could only be realised thanks to a significant increase in private rooftop solar adoption over the past two years.
 
I mean is he "reputed energy expert" especially these last few times and even recently with the whole Koeberg thing.
 
@wingnut771 look they talking about supposedly using the solar to pump the water back up during the day

This included water “batteries” at its three pumped storage dam schemes — Drakensberg, Ingula, and Palmiet.

These schemes have a combined capacity of around 2,732MW, making them capable of avoiding between two and three stages of load-shedding.

Yelland explained that pumped storage dams are like big batteries that can store and discharge water to provide electricity, but they are not intended to be used frequently.

Have you seen that in your daily station build up checks?
 
Lupus said:
@wingnut771 look they talking about supposedly using the solar to pump the water back up during the day

This included water “batteries” at its three pumped storage dam schemes — Drakensberg, Ingula, and Palmiet.

These schemes have a combined capacity of around 2,732MW, making them capable of avoiding between two and three stages of load-shedding.

Yelland explained that pumped storage dams are like big batteries that can store and discharge water to provide electricity, but they are not intended to be used frequently.

Have you seen that in your daily station build up checks?
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Yes, sometimes on the odd day the highest I’ve seen is 1.5GW around 2pm. This week though they were burning diesel at a rate of knots to pump the water back at 2pm.
 
wingnut771 said:
Yes, sometimes on the odd day the highest I’ve seen is 1.5GW around 2pm. This week though they were burning diesel at a rate of knots to pump the water back at 2pm.
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So not all the time, but sometimes. Interesting, yeah last week was pretty intense diesel burning, managed to use almost as much as June and July combined. There was other things out besides Koeberg as outages were at 25% and the EAF dropped for the first time below 60% in a long time.
 
Pumped storage has always been the GOAT in areas where you can build them. its power and water storage. You can never have enough of them.
 
Sapphiron said:
Pumped storage has always been the GOAT in areas where you can build them. its power and water storage. You can never have enough of them.
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That they are, but as you said where they can be built
 
Sapphiron said:
Pumped storage has always been the GOAT in areas where you can build them. its power and water storage. You can never have enough of them.
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Not a fan of it at all. The ecological impact is colossal compared to other sources of energy.

For water usage I suppose they are ok because there isn't really an alternative. But for energy you are much better off with more dense forms of energy.
 
konfab said:
Not a fan of it at all. The ecological impact is colossal compared to other sources of energy.

For water usage I suppose they are ok because there isn't really an alternative. But for energy you are much better off with more dense forms of energy.
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Certainly it is more regional where you build it. But other storage mediums don't always include the manufacturing and mining impact. Pumped hydro has the advantage of it being simpler wise.
 
Just need to figure out how to install a dam in my house, anyone got contacts?
 
Sapphiron said:
Certainly it is more regional where you build it. But other storage mediums don't always include the manufacturing and mining impact. Pumped hydro has the advantage of it being simpler wise.
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Bruh....

You can simulate the physics of a nuclear reactor in its entirety in computer.

Simulating river morphology on the other hand is almost impossible.
 
konfab said:
Bruh....

You can simulate the physics of a nuclear reactor in its entirety in computer.

Simulating river morphology on the other hand is almost impossible.
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I understand that is has an impact and than it can be unpredictable.

It's just that mining for batteries has a much much broader impact.

Gold mining in Peru:
1726769086560.png

Lithium mine in Ukraine
1726769351272.png

It's also worth noting that a lot of the mines require that a river be dammed to service their requirements.
 
Sapphiron said:
I understand that is has an impact and than it can be unpredictable.

It's just that mining for batteries has a much much broader impact.

Gold mining in Peru:
View attachment 1758621

Lithium mine in Ukraine
View attachment 1758623

It's also worth noting that a lot of the mines require that a river be dammed to service their requirements.
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What should we do then?
 
PaulMurkin said:
Me batteries SOC = 100%, and there's fuel in the generator, so P03sKom can come at me bro...
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Yeah, loadshitting loading when you see days and days of red.

Count our lucky stars this cold front is falling over a weekend.
 
wingnut771 said:
What should we do then?
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The least worst option, depending on what is practical in an area.

For example. If you are building a damn, make it a pumped storage one.

If you don't have water, look at batteries.

There is no one size fits all solution, you need a mix.
 
Sapphiron said:
The least worst option, depending on what is practical in an area.

For example. If you are building a damn, make it a pumped storage one.

If you don't have water, look at batteries.

There is no one size fits all solution, you need a mix.
Click to expand...
Didn't you just say mining is bad?

So we're damned if we do, and we're damned if we don't.
 
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