Pumped storage scheme powers up volumes

Cargo delivery to the Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme is set to pick up pace, with Eskom aiming to complete the project by no later than 2014. At least 41% of the work for the nearly R9-billion project – comprising the construction of two dams – is already complete, with all the milestones for 2012 achieved. Both dams have capacity of approximately 22 million cubic metres water, some 4.6 km apart, and are connected by underground waterways through an underground powerhouse which houses four 333MW pump turbines. Thomas Sage of Interlogix, which is the logistics arm of the project, says cargo volumes for the project have not been high, but are increasing. “Few shipments have been moved to date due to delays in the civil works on the site. Together with our partners at source, we are handling the forwarding, clearing into South Africa, warehousing and delivery to site. Delivery on the smaller items is to a laydown and staging area but the larger items will involve delivery into the machine hall, which requires a vehicle to go down the tunnel to offload,” said Sage. The project is still in the early stages when it comes to the specialised cargo that will be brought in, but various items are already in storage waiting for installation. “We have already delivered four complete draft tubes in knockeddown form, and various other embedded parts,” said Sage. Interlogix has been involved in the project since 2010. It will see water released from the upper dam through the pump turbines to the lower dam to generate electricity during times of peak energy consumption. When there is low energy demand the pump turbines will be used to pump water from the lower dam back to the upper dam. “To date the biggest challenge is delivery into the machine hall,” says Sage. The tunnel was excavated to be 8.3m wide, however various installations for power and water control have restricted this access to below 6m in some places – and the widest pieces are 7.5m wide,” said Sage. “Many of the loads are in excess of 4.8 m which require police escorts. Despite this being a very short route, the handovers between police in the different areas are slow and difficult to get right which makes offloading arrangements hard to prearrange – but that’s transport and we work around this as best we can.” Sage, who along with his team has been involved with projects including the likes of the Arnot Power Station rehabilitation, the Mondi Digester in Richards Bay, the Columbus Stainless cold rolling mills to Middelburg and brewery tanks to Midvaal, believes that communication is the foundation of any good project. “Understanding the requirements on site and the limitations on suppliers, and communicating this to the supply chain to have the cargo delivered when required is what makes the difference.” Also having the ability to adapt and work around massive delays experienced on projects gives one the leading edge, he said. CAPTION One of the large pit liners moved for the Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme by Interlogix.