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

南非目前正面临着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长达6小时/天的轮流停电，这导致每天的负荷削减。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危机，目前失业率高达34.5%。这一目标的一个关键部分是围绕可再生能源投资和摆脱目前占能源供应70%的煤炭，目标是到2030年可再生能源发电量达到17800兆瓦。然而，要实现这一目标，需要有一种有效的储能手段。该项目旨在通过初步开发一个11吉瓦时的抽水蓄能（PHES）来解决目前的障碍，该项目使用海水作为储能介质，并有可能进一步扩大规模。虽然海水PHES不是新的，但它还没有被大规模地尝试过，面临着关键的挑战（例如，盐水腐蚀、生物淤积、对海洋生物的影响）。然而，随着可再生投资方案的加速和对淡水储备需求的增加，目前，包括澳大利亚和智利在内的其他地区也在考虑一些海水项目。（在这种情况下，通过在能量丰富时将水泵送到上部水库，然后在高峰时间通过将水释放到下部水库来发电来实现能量储存但通过计划中的过滤技术创新，大坝衬里，并通过使用浮动太阳能电池板来减少蒸发，总部位于英国的非洲新能源（ANE）有限公司，寻求克服遗留的挑战，提供一个解决方案，可以提高和进一步证明全球海水PHES的可行性。一个月的可行性研究将使人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。提供更高的电网稳定性。*提高供应安全性和可负担性。在一个以干旱著称的国家减少对淡水的需求。*每年减少二氧化碳排放量196万吨 *。可复制的知识和模型。

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.