Kriel power station trips, taking 2,000MW with it

[dualmeister]

Electrical faults tripped five generating units at Kriel Power Station this morning, removing 2 000MW from the system. Loadshedding may be implemented at short notice should further capacity losses occur.

That is code to their staff to break some more power stations first.

 

[Herr der Verboten]

View attachment 1353434

Only if original then

besides the actual story in the book is better than both.

 

[Kosmik]

I'd like to hear more on this, "possible heavy mist". Can frame it next to the firepool memorandum.

 

[WalkWithMe]

If only they had a connecting piece that was easy to replace like a piece of metal with appropriate amperage that would break apart when the load is exceeded then all they have to do is replace it and they are good to go again

Are you serious?
A trip switch is a fuse...

But you understand that load this size will arc and put a piece back in ain't possible

If an unit trips, it is not like flipping a switch. First need to find the reason, fix. Then it means cleaning up the furnace, getting new coal in. Starting the furnace, waiting for temp to come up, and turbines to get back up-to speed.

 

[ShakeSpeer]

ANC repairs 101 : Use bigger fuses

Problem solved

 

[Willie Trombone]

Probably the anti Cyril brigade at work.

 

[bruce_the_loon]

I believe heavy mist because it goes hand in hand with the insulators in the HV yard not been maintained and cleaned regularly. Coal dust and other crap builds up on the insulators, never gets cleaned off and when it gets wet, you get arcing across the insulators and bang. Add the almost certain cracked insulators that are not noticed and replaced, and you'll easily trip an entire HV yard.

Clean up your act Eskom, literally. The mist may be the trigger cause, but the root cause is again failure to maintain.

 

[Willie Trombone]

Are you serious?
A trip switch is a fuse...

But you understand that load this size will arc and put a piece back in ain't possible

If an unit trips, it is not like flipping a switch. First need to find the reason, fix. Then it means cleaning up the furnace, getting new coal in. Starting the furnace, waiting for temp to come up, and turbines to get back up-to speed.

Come on man.
In the 80s we had this

...and MacGyver to teach us how to use it properly.

 

[Oldfut]

I believe heavy mist because it goes hand in hand with the insulators in the HV yard not been maintained and cleaned regularly. Coal dust and other crap builds up on the insulators, never gets cleaned off and when it gets wet, you get arcing across the insulators and bang. Add the almost certain cracked insulators that are not noticed and replaced, and you'll easily trip an entire HV yard.

Clean up your act Eskom, literally. The mist may be the trigger cause, but the root cause is again failure to maintain.

Well said, now imagine this scenario ongoing in every facet of their operations; from regular servicing of switchgear to simple stuff like keeping underground ducts and tunnels drained. Recipe for, well, the load shedding SA knows and loathes.

 

[Brian_G]

 

[Iamn0tageek]

die mense jaag net kak aan

 

[chrisc]

My moer. Wet coal and mist. How the hell does the United Kingdom keep their lights on with all the wet weather they have... ????

Mainly nuclear in the UK
New nuclear station coming on line soon

 

[Brian_G]

Well said, now imagine this scenario ongoing in every facet of their operations; from regular servicing of switchgear to simple stuff like keeping underground ducts and tunnels drained. Recipe for, well, the load shedding SA knows and loathes.

I'm sure you're right to some extent. But mist????

Since Carte Blanche exposed their wet coal lies I don't fall for it anymore. This is likely more abusive politics.

 

[konfab]

In other parts of the world, you need major weather events, like ice storms to knock out the grid.
Here in the People's Republic of South Africa with our year round balmy weather, a bit of mist knocks out a power station.

 

[j4ck455]

“The fault, which appears to be related to the heavy mist conditions experienced at the time, is under investigation.”

Translation:

The sabotage was committed under the cover of heavy mist conditions.

 

[Lupus]

In other parts of the world, you need major weather events, like ice storms to knock out the grid.
Here in the People's Republic of South Africa with our year round balmy weather, a bit of mist knocks out a power station.

Happens in other countries as well

Why does fog cause tripping of Transmission lines?

Answer (1 of 8): It shouldn't if the design has been done correctly. Fog occurs when air is saturated with water vapour which condenses out on the insulators supporting the wires. Unlike rain, which can't significantly affect the underside surfaces, fog and frost can make a continuous path to ea...

www.quora.com

They just generally aren't on the knife edge.

 

[Brian_G]

Happens in other countries as well

They said;

It shouldn't if the design has been done correctly.

But that's transmission lines, not generators.
And as for the timing..

 

[Lupus]

They said;


But that's transmission lines, not generators.
And as for the timing..

Well if it pops those lines, it possibly could pop something on the generators.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

"could implement load shedding" is the lube they apply before the formal announcement...

 

[Creag]

The lull in load shedding was never going to last long. They don't call it suspended without reason