CoMSIRU Field Trip to Steenbras dam and pump station

On Tuesday, 17 September 2024, CoMSIRU conducted an educational visit to the Steenbras Hydro Pump Station and Dam facilitated by Prof. Pilate Moyo and Prof. Mark Alexander. Situated in the Hottentots-Holland mountains, the dam not only plays a crucial role in Cape Town’s water supply but also houses South Africa’s first pumped-storage hydroelectric system.

The visit aimed to give CoMSIRU researchers a closer look at the structural and operational aspects of this innovative infrastructure. They explored how the dam integrates water management with renewable energy production. The hydroelectric system pumps water to an upper reservoir during low electricity demand and releases it to generate power during peak periods.

CoMSIRU researchers, with their focus on structural integrity and sustainability, engaged in discussions about the dam’s design, its resilience to climate change, and how such multi-use systems can contribute to sustainable energy solutions in the Western Cape.