Exploring the feasibility of pumped hydroelectric energy storage (PHES) using seawater in South Africa

南非目前正面临有史以来最大的电力危机，该国许多地区由于无法持续满足需求而面临每天长达6小时的轮流停电，这导致每天的负荷减少。这严重影响了企业和家庭，限制了经济增长，并进一步加深了失业率危机，目前失业率高达34.5%。对此，南非政府承诺改革能源部门。这一目标的一个关键部分是围绕可再生能源投资和放弃目前占能源供应70%的煤炭，目标是到2030年可再生能源发电17800兆瓦。然而，要实现这一目标，需要伴随着有效的能源储存手段。该项目旨在通过初步开发11GWh抽水蓄能(PHES)来解决这一目前的障碍，该储能系统以海水为储存介质，并有可能进一步扩大规模。尽管海水PHES并不新鲜，但尚未大规模尝试，主要挑战(例如，盐水腐蚀、生物污损、对海洋生物的影响)有待解决。然而，随着可再生能源投资计划的加快和对淡水储备需求的增加，包括澳大利亚和智利在内的其他地区目前正在考虑一些海水项目。复制相同的淡水PHES(能源充足时将水抽到上层水库，然后在高峰时段通过将水释放到下层水库发电，在这种情况下是海洋，从而降低资本成本)的设置，但通过计划中的过滤技术、大坝衬砌和使用浮动太阳能电池板减少蒸发，总部位于英国的非洲新能源(ANE)有限公司，寻求克服遗留挑战，提供一种解决方案，以提高并进一步证明海水-PHES在全球的可行性。这项为期9个月的可行性研究的成功结果将使我们有信心进入详细的设计和融资。一旦从2025年开始运行，拟议的解决方案将在整个南非产生重大的社会经济和环境影响，包括：*支持可再生能源投资，因为该国寻求摆脱对煤炭的依赖。*新的就业机会。*提供更大的电网稳定性。*提高供应安全和可负担性。*在一个公认为干旱的国家减少淡水使用。*每年减少196万吨二氧化碳。*可复制的知识和模式。

South Africa is currently facing its biggest ever power crisis with many parts of the country facing rolling blackouts of up to 6-hours/day due to an inability to consistently meet demand which results in daily load shedding. This is severely impacting businesses and households, limiting economic growth and further deepening an unemployment crisis, currently at a staggering 34.5%.In response, South Africa's government has committed to transforming the Energy Sector. A key part of this goal is centered around Renewable Energy investment and a move away from coal which currently accounts for 70% of energy supply, with a target of 17800 MW of electricity to be derived from renewables by 2030\. However, for this to be achieved it needs to be accompanied by an effective means of energy storage.This project aims to address this current barrier through the initial development of a 11 GWh pumped hydroelectric energy storage (PHES) using seawater as the storage medium, with the potential to be scaled further. Although seawater PHES is not new, it has not been attempted at large-scale with key challenges (e.g., saltwater corrosion, biofouling, impact on marine life) to be addressed. However, with the acceleration of renewable-investment programmes and increasing demand on freshwater reserves, a number of seawater projects are currently being considered in other locations including Australia and Chile.Replicating the same set-up of freshwater PHES (energy storage achieved by pumping water to an upper reservoir when energy is abundant and then generate electricity during peak times by releasing the water to the lower reservoir in this case the sea, therefore reducing capital cost) but with planned innovations in filtration techniques, dam lining and through the use of floating solar panels to reduce evaporation, the UK-based Africa New Energies (ANE) Limited, seek to overcome legacy challenges to offer a solution that can increase and further demonstrate the viability of seawater-PHES globally.Successful outcomes from this 9-month feasibility study will give confidence to move into detailed design and financing. Once operational from 2025, the proposed solution will deliver significant socio-economic and environmental impacts across South Africa including:* Support the case for Renewable-Energy investment as the country seeks to move from its coal dependency.* New employment opportunities.* Provide greater grid stability.* Improve security of supply and affordability.* Reduce the need for freshwater use in a country recognised for its aridity.* Annual CO2 savings of 1.96 million tonnes.* Replicable knowledge and model.