Palmiet Pumped Storage Scheme
Encyclopedia
The Palmiet Pumped Storage Scheme consists of two 200MW turbine units located 2km upstream of the Kogelberg Dam
wall on the Palmiet River
near Cape Town, South Africa
. The pumped-storage hydroelectricity
plant is capable of responding to a surge in peak power demand in minutes. At night, excess power on the grid generated by conventional coal and nuclear plants is used to pump water to the Upper Reservoir overlooking Gordon's Bay
.
It is regarded as a forerunner in environmental engineering
. The whole Palmiet site is a conservation area and in December 1998 the area was declared a Biosphere Reserve
by UNESCO
- the first in South Africa
.
Kogelberg Dam
Kogelberg Dam is a dam on the Palmiet River, near Grabouw, Western Cape, South Africa. It was established in 1986.- References :* from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry...
wall on the Palmiet River
Palmiet River
Palmiet River,is located in the Western Cape province South Africa. The Palmiet River is a typical Western Cape river, experiencing winter rainfall. It has a small catchment area of 500 km2. It has five irrigation and hydro-power dams along its length, and provides water for agricultural and...
near Cape Town, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. The pumped-storage hydroelectricity
Pumped-storage hydroelectricity
Pumped-storage hydroelectricity is a type of hydroelectric power generation used by some power plants for load balancing. The method stores energy in the form of water, pumped from a lower elevation reservoir to a higher elevation. Low-cost off-peak electric power is used to run the pumps...
plant is capable of responding to a surge in peak power demand in minutes. At night, excess power on the grid generated by conventional coal and nuclear plants is used to pump water to the Upper Reservoir overlooking Gordon's Bay
Gordon's Bay
Gordon's Bay is a harbour town in the Western Cape province of South Africa, close to Strand. It is situated on the northeastern corner of False Bay about 50 km from Cape Town to the south of the N2 national road and is named after Robert Jacob Gordon , the Dutch explorer of Scottish descent...
.
It is regarded as a forerunner in environmental engineering
Environmental engineering
Environmental engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to improve the natural environment , to provide healthy water, air, and land for human habitation and for other organisms, and to remediate polluted sites...
. The whole Palmiet site is a conservation area and in December 1998 the area was declared a Biosphere Reserve
Biosphere reserve
The Man and the Biosphere Programme of UNESCO was established in 1971 to promote interdisciplinary approaches to management, research and education in ecosystem conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.-Development:...
by UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
- the first in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
See also
- Pumped-storage hydroelectricityPumped-storage hydroelectricityPumped-storage hydroelectricity is a type of hydroelectric power generation used by some power plants for load balancing. The method stores energy in the form of water, pumped from a lower elevation reservoir to a higher elevation. Low-cost off-peak electric power is used to run the pumps...
- EskomEskomEskom is a South African electricity public utility, established in 1923 as the Electricity Supply Commission by the government of South Africa in terms of the Electricity Act . It was also known by its Afrikaans name Elektrisiteitsvoorsieningskommissie . The two acronyms were combined in 1986 and...
- List of hydropower stations in Africa