How Eskom's Pumped storage power stations work

[cavedog]

Very cool pdf on how they work with the pumped storage systems.

http://www.eskom.co.za/AboutElectricity/FactsFigures/Documents/PumpedStorage.pdf

Just a note here too that is very interesting that was mentioned in the pdf.

A pumped storage scheme consists of lower and upper reservoirs with a power station/pumping plant
between the two.
Eskom has two such stations

Palmiet near Grabouw in the Western Cape and
Drakensberg near Bergville in KwaZuluNatal.


Is the Palmiet station not the one that Cape Town uses to prevent stage 1 or prevent stage 2 by staying on stage 1 if they have extra capacity?

If so why can Capetown be spared stage 1 or 2 but the rest of us must suffer if this power station is owned by Eskom?

Just wondering because that is not fair at all then....

 

[upup]

a power station takes hours to start up. a Water system takes 30 seconds.
So when eskom needs power quickly, they open the valves. But there is only so much water. When there is enough power, they refill the upper dam.

PK le loux and verwoerd dam also generate power from water.

 

[vaakseun]

Very cool pdf on how they work with the pumped storage systems.
Is the Palmiet station not the one that Cape Town uses to prevent stage 1 or prevent stage 2 by staying on stage 1 if they have extra capacity?

If so why can Capetown be spared stage 1 or 2 but the rest of us must suffer if this power station is owned by Eskom?

Just wondering because that is not fair at all then....

No, the City of Cape Town uses the Steenbras pumped storage scheme which it owns and maintains. It's much smaller than the nearby Palmriet which is owned and operated by Eskom.

 

[cavedog]

No, the City of Cape Town uses the Steenbras pumped storage scheme which it owns and maintains. It's much smaller than the nearby Palmriet which is owned and operated by Eskom.

Ohh ok my bad.

 

[Splinter]

No, the City of Cape Town uses the Steenbras pumped storage scheme which it owns and maintains. It's much smaller than the nearby Palmriet which is owned and operated by Eskom.

And viva the DA. No stage 1 for me tonight (8 to 10:30pm), even though the ****ers at Eskom announced it. God, why the ANC is still in power (pun - gettit? ) is scary.

 

[vaakseun]

And viva the DA. No stage 1 for me tonight (8 to 10:30pm), even though the ****ers at Eskom announced it. God, why the ANC is still in power (pun - gettit? ) is scary.

You mean viva the old Nasionale party.

But kudos to the DA for having bothered to maintain the aging facility.