DSM strategy for national water pumping systems

Thesis (MIng (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013The continual increase in electrical energy demand in South Africa has resulted in a precariously low reserve margin in supply from the primary utility, Eskom. This resulted in extensive load shedding throughout the country. Far-reaching measures had to be introduced in order to ensure a reliable supply of electricity. DSM interventions were shown to be very successful short term solutions for the mining industry, reducing the strain on the national grid. This resulted in an increasing number of investigations to broaden the base of DSM projects to other industries. One such intervention was the Usutu-Vaal water distribution scheme, situated near Standerton, South Africa. This scheme includes the Grootdraai, Tutuka, Grootfontein, Rietfontein and Naauwpoort pumping stations. With a combined installed capacity of 36.5MW and the extremely large water storage capacities, these pump stations have been identified as prime candidates for DSM interventions. This dissertation discusses the method followed for a DSM project intervention and the results of the implementation. The national grid was relieved by an average of 12.3 MW during the Eskom weekday peak period, by shifting the pumping load into the off-peak periods. Simulations have shown that an annual financial saving of approximately R4.7million may be expected.Master