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The future of the South African power supply

Posted by: barrmar on Mar 16, 2011

barrmar

Eskom has never really viewed renewable energy as a real alternative to coal and nuclear power. To Eskom, these renewable sources are "Mickey Mouse" solutions. 

Yes, Eskom has invested funds towards experiments in renewable energy. The company has even provided subsidies to encourage its customers to switch to solar water heating systems. These are commendable. 

But it is obvious that Eskom has never really viewed renewable sources as a real alternative. For some reason, Eskom sees coal and nuclear power as the only way to provide a proper power supply into the future. 

For that reason we are building the world's largest coal powered generators to increase the supply of electricity to the nation. Other Eskom plans include nuclear plants. 

Nuclear power is considered to be relatively clean and safe. This is true as long as everything keeps working fine. But there is always a risk that something can go wrong. Koeberg faced a problem a while ago that stopped it from generating power and had the potential to put us at risk. 

There have been many accidents at nuclear reactors around the world. Most of them have been kept very quiet by the governments concerned. Occasionally, the extent of the disaster is just too big to keep under wraps. Chernobyl is the biggest such case. 

Renewable energy is viable. Technology is readily available to produce electricity from solar power using thermal solar energy. Why are we not implementing this type of solution? 

Eskom has committed to ensure that South Africa produces one of the world's largest carbon footprints. But is anyone interested? 



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Jawellnofine
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written by Jawellnofine, March 17, 2011
This is not the first time you have written/commented on the viability of alternative energy sources.

Why not quote cost factors to fortify your point.
Dissol
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written by Dissol, March 17, 2011
On a large scale, alternative energy is not presently viable. I agree, we should not be building coal fired power stations (I am doubtful we are building the World's biggest), I also feel it is ridiculous for South Africa to try to research new nuclear technologies, such as pepple bed reactors. But we need large amounts of electricity, and the most sensible option is nuclear at present.

My own feeling as far as research, is that we (as in the World) should be spending much, much more on alternative sources of energy production. The one that has the biggest potential is nuclear fusion (as opposed to our present nuclear fission). Nuclear fusion is what makes the sun work, it leaves no radioactive waste. It is proven scientifically, and the only real thing that is holding us back is the engineering aspects. I am sure that the engineering is not insurmountable, especially given enough funding & political will. We get that form of energy production right, and that removes so many other problems.

Of course there is a place for solar, wind & tidal power, but thus far it has been shown to be only really effective on a small scale, local situation. I think that these large wind farms that you now see dotted around Europe (often in some of the most beautiful countrysides) a complete eyesore, and they have been shown to be environmentally damaging to migrating birds, and (especially) bats.

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