It is generally accepted that cost-effective storage is the key to a high penetration of renewable energy in electricity grids. Much work has been done on the development of storage technology to meet these goals, but systems are still confined to several hours of operation. If longer storage periods are required then a change […]
Coal-fired power stations (CFPS) are going to be around for many years to come. In addition to existing stations, new CFPS are being built at a steady rate. Much benefit can be gained from improving efficiency, such as using less coal per unit of energy, and emitting less CO2 into the atmosphere. There are […]
Flywheel energy storage units, based on high speed units operating in a vacuum, has normally been used as bridging storage for standby plant, typically in server farms and other sites which require no-break standby energy. The technology has gone through the doldrums but has recently found new life as a grid-balancing storage unit for […]
The installation of a number of induced-draft (ID) fans ensure efficient and reliable operation at South Africa’s new large-scale coal-fired power plants, Medupi and Kusile. Ageing infrastructure and a lack of new power stations led to a steady reduction in reserve capacity in the South African electrical power grid, which led to forced shut […]
The importance of renewable power generation technologies such as wind, solar and tidal cannot be questioned. But what happens when there is no wind or sun and there are low tides? Siemens aeroderivative gas turbine technology offer a flexible, economical and efficient alternative to around-the-clock generation, be it for peaking, mid-merit or base load operation. […]
Almost all nuclear reactors in service, or planned, use enriched uranium as a fuel. Thorium as a fuel has been considered for many years, and several test plants have been operated over the years. So far, thorium fuels have not been introduced commercially because the estimated uranium resources turned out to be sufficient. In […]
Potable water is in short supply in many parts of the world. Lack of it is set to become a constraint on development in some areas. Nuclear energy is already being used for desalination, and has the potential for much greater use. Nuclear desalination is generally very cost-competitive with using fossil fuels. The International […]
The system of carbon taxes is due to be introduced in South Africa in 2017. The carbon tax system is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by and covers the system of desired emissions reduction outcomes, including the appropriate pricing of carbon and economic incentives. The bill makes provision for offsetting carbon tax liability […]
Nuclear power, which may be the cleanest and cheapest technology for the generation of large amounts of reliable electricity to meet the base load requirements of mines and other energy intensive industries, has an interesting history which dates back over 70 years. The first part of this article discusses the history of the discovery […]
The constant increase in demand for electrical power around the world requires more generating capacity to be installed for both local and national use. One of the most efficient and controllable sources of energy is produced by aero-derivative gas turbine engines which are employed in combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants. Aero-derivative engines […]
