Palmiet Pumped Storage Scheme

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. [ [http://www.eskom.co.za/education/visit/palmiet/palmiet_body.htm Eskom: Palmiet Pumped Storage Scheme] ] 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.

References

External links

* [http://www.eskom.co.za/live/content.php?Item_ID=146&Revision=en/0 Eskom's Palmiet Pumped Storage Scheme page]
* [http://www.eskom.co.za/live/content.php?Item_ID=186&Revision=en/0 Palmiet Pumped Storage Scheme details]