Bibliography: p. 173-182. / The objective of this dissertation was to investigate compressed air energy storage as an alternative generation capacity for the South African electricity industry. In chapter one, an introduction to energy storage, electrical energy storage was introduced as an alternative generation option. Various energy storage technologies were discussed with their characteristics and applications. Compressed air energy storage was identified as a competitive energy storage option to pumped hydro in particular, and a suitable contender for the South African electricity market. In chapter two, the literature review, an in-depth study into compressed air energy storage was conducted. Many aspects of CAES were covered including CAES variants, underground pressurised air storage, projects and pre-feasibility studies, and operational plants. Due to the additional fuelling that certain CAES variants require, a Charge Energy Factor and a Fuel Heat Rate were defined. From the literature review it was seen that to date, only two CAES plants are still in operation. They are both of the conventional CAES type and use fuel-oil or alternatively natural gas for combustion In chapter three, an analysis of Eskom's demand, Eskom's future demand growth was analysed. A prediction in load growth, based on several economic scenarios, was made and the capacity of a suitable CAES plant, to meet this future demand, was determined. Chapter four, underground air storage reservoirs, focused on the aspects and prospects of storing compressed air underground in South Africa. Past underground air storage in South Africa was discussed and unused goldmines were identified as the most convenient and cost effective storage volumes available. The uniqueness of individual underground air storage volumes in mines were discussed as well as techniques necessary for the conversion of existing cavities. Both constant volume and constant pressure systems were investigated and mine cavern conversion costs where estimated per electric energy generated (R/kWh). Two of the most likely CAES turbo-machinery configurations suitable for South Africa were evaluated in chapter five, conceptual designs and cost analysis. The two types of CAES were conventional CAES and CAES with pressurised fluidised bed combustors (CAESIPFBC). Available plant was discussed and future generating capacities of individual CAES turbo-machinery trains were predicted. Costs per kW for CAES plants, excluding the cavern, were estimated through the escalation of costs from other plants and sources.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uct/oai:localhost:11427/9629 |
| Date | January 1996 |
| Creators | Luke, Richard |
| Publisher | University of Cape Town, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Energy Research Centre |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Master Thesis, Masters, MSc |
| Format | application/pdf |
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