Powerships

[HavocXphere]

Why isn't something like this being considered more seriously? Not the prettiest of solutions, but I think we're beyond that anyway...

http://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/south-africa/the-plug-and-play-solution-to-sas-power-crisis/

 

[BandwidthAddict]

Cost. South Africa's economy is dying. Money is running out.

 

[HavocXphere]

Cost. South Africa's economy is dying. Money is running out.

If they can spend billions on diesel then they can afford this. If anything I'd argue spending money on this is money well spent.

Don't think SA "economy is dying" either...it is in for a rough ride though.

 

[richjdavies]

If they can spend billions on diesel then they can afford this

Strictly speaking it's pretty much the same thing.

These are for when your generators go out and you DON'T have enough backup generating capacity (e.g. Japan after Fukashima). Fortunately Eskom has enough backup generators to keep the grid running, just not enough money to keep them filled up!

 

[ToxicBunny]

500MW powerships?

in 12 months?

Yeah, call me skeptical of that one considering none of their ships breach the 220MW number yet.

We would need multiple ships to replace even a single one of the OCGT installations we have.

 

[HavocXphere]

500MW powerships?

in 12 months?

Yeah, call me skeptical of that one considering none of their ships breach the 220MW number yet.

We would need multiple ships to replace even a single one of the OCGT installations we have.

Of course. The power will be available much sooner than an OCGT built via African Time.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Of course. The power will be available much sooner than an OCGT built via African Time.

For extra capacity, yes without a doubt,

but to replace the current OCGT's, I don't see this being more cost effective.

 

[HavocXphere]

You brought up the OCGTs, not me.

 

[vaakseun]

We actually had a powership/barge docked at Cape Town after the infamous 2006 Koeberg "loose bolt" incident. The infrastructure created to allow the ship to contribute to the grid still exists as far as I'm aware.

 

[ToxicBunny]

You brought up the OCGTs, not me.

Someone referenced it being cheaper than the billions being spent on Diesel...

 

[HavocXphere]

Called it like a BOSS.

Acting Eskom CEO Brian Molefe has outlined a range of moves he hopes will alleviate the State-owned power utility’s power supply crisis

[...]

bringing in energy supply on power barges – floating vessels fired by gas, diesel and fuel oil.

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/ar...than-expected-end-to-load-shedding-2015-04-22