From Turbines to Truckers:

How a chance encounter may redefine the battle against load shedding:

In the heart of Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, the recent National Electricity Crisis Committee (NECOM) Indaba on Demand Side Management served as a crucible for the brightest minds in electrical engineering, drawing together professionals from ESKOM, various municipalities, Metros, Large Industrial Power Users, Measurement and Verification professionals and Energy Service Companies (ESCOs). Amidst the exchange of ideas and insights, one topic emerged as a beacon of hope in the battle against load shedding – Demand Side Management (DSM). As electrical engineers delved into the merits of DSM as a potent tool to alleviate the burden of load shedding, a realization unfolded on the flight back home. Seated next to a young entrepreneur named Philani, the urgency of disseminating information about practical solutions for curbing load shedding became glaringly evident.

This article, born from the collective wisdom shared at the Indaba and fueled by a conversation with Philani, embarks on a mission to demystify the intricacies of load shedding. It seeks to bridge the gap between technical jargon and public understanding, shedding light on why load shedding occurs and, more importantly, how each one of us can contribute to mitigating this challenge. Through a series of discussions and insights, we aim to empower the public with knowledge about Demand Side Management – a dynamic approach that holds the potential to transform how we consume electricity and, in turn, reduce the stages of load shedding in our country. Join us on this journey as we explore the practical tools and strategies that can make a tangible difference in the battle against load shedding in the near term.

In the intricate dance of electricity generation, distribution, and consumption, load shedding emerges as a crucial yet often misunderstood tool in maintaining the delicate balance of our national power grid. To grasp why load shedding is a necessary intervention, we must first navigate through the fundamental principles of frequency control and the potential catastrophic consequences of an unmanaged energy crisis.

The Frequency Conundrum:

At the heart of our electrical infrastructure lies the imperative of maintaining a consistent frequency across the national grid. Imagine this frequency as the rhythm of a well-orchestrated symphony, each generator playing its part to sustain the harmonious flow of power. However, when the demand for electricity surpasses our generation capacity, the frequency takes a perilous dip. Now that most people have spent some time near petrol and diesel generators, they may observe this by the sound of a generator as one increases the load its required to carry. Similar to a car the revs drop as the clutch is released to take up the load of moving the car forward. One can hear the strain on the engine as the load increases and it is similar at a power station. What is not so evident is that as the burden or the load increases the number of revolutions per minute that the engine is able to sustain also drops. Which naturally causes the generator to which the engine is coupled to lose revolutions at the same rate, which in turn drops the frequency of the generated sine-wave electricity output.

In layman’s terms, consider the frequency as the heartbeat of the power grid. If the load becomes too burdensome, our grid experiences a palpable drop in this heartbeat, jeopardizing the stability of the entire system. This is where the danger arises, triggering a potential domino effect that could lead to the catastrophic collapse of our national grid.

The Domino Effect Unveiled:

A drop in frequency serves as an ominous signal, warning of an impending crisis. If the demand isn’t swiftly curtailed, the risk of a generating unit trip looms large. Picture this as a domino falling – the trip of one unit triggers a cascade, increasing the likelihood of subsequent trips. Left unaddressed, this chain reaction could plunge us into the abyss of a national grid collapse, resulting in a complete blackout across the country.

The Catastrophic Consequences of a National Grid Collapse:

Understanding the gravity of a national grid collapse is paramount. Without a functioning grid, our power stations are rendered inert, incapable of generating electricity. Even if a generating unit is online, the absence of auxiliary power during a blackout makes restarting these units an arduous task. The consequences are not just momentary; the recovery time is extensive, exacerbating the impact on our daily lives and critical infrastructure.

Load Shedding: A Vital Intervention

In the face of this looming peril, the System Operator, represented by ESKOM, employs load shedding as a strategic tool. It’s a preemptive measure, a deliberate decision to reduce the demand side of the equation when supply falters. The alternative – attempting to make real-time adjustments – is a perilous gamble that could tip the scales toward a total grid collapse.

Therefore, when ESKOM calls upon Electricity Distributors, Metros, Municipalities, and its own Distribution Operation to implement planned load shedding, it is a carefully orchestrated effort to prevent a catastrophic scenario. In essence, load shedding becomes a lifeline, a measured response to keep the symphony of our national power grid in tune, sparing us from the chaos that an uncontrolled energy crisis could unleash.

What’s next in our series

In this unique journey, we’ve begun by defining the need for load shedding or planned outages as a means of protecting the national grid. We will continue by offering some tangible solutions. There is no “one-shoe fits all approach” and each of the measures is intended to play a part in the collective reduction in load. By reducing load, we provide huge benefits not only to a country whose economy is being stunted by regular power cuts but to the planet overall. Subscribe to our social media channels to get notified when we drop the next article in this series.