A New Type of Hydropower is Becoming Increasingly Popular
Pumped storage hydropower (PSH), a type of hydroelectric energy storage, is rapidly gaining popularity worldwide as a new technology. Unlike the traditional image of hydroelectric power, which is associated with massive dams such as the Hoover Dam or the Three Gorges Dam, PSH is more environmentally friendly and does not displace communities or damage ecosystems.
Global Energy Monitor recently released a study indicating a shift in the hydroelectric power industry. Instead of the traditional large dams, there is a fast-growing interest in a new technology called pumped storage hydropower, which leverages the gravitational properties of water.
Is it a lake or a battery?
PSH is a form of hydroelectricity that stores energy using two water reservoirs at different elevations. It generates power as water flows from the higher reservoir to the lower one, passing through a turbine. Additionally, it requires electricity to pump the water back up to the higher reservoir for later use. The upper reservoir effectively functions as a large storage battery by storing energy that can be released as needed.
To elaborate on the definition of Pumped Storage Hydropower, there are two types of systems: open-loop and closed-loop. In an open-loop PSH system, the reservoirs have a direct connection to a natural body of water, which allows for a continuous flow of water.
On the other hand, in a closed-loop PSH system, the reservoirs are not connected to an outside body of water, which means the water used for energy generation is recycled between the upper and lower reservoirs.
The Open-loop and Closed-loop Systems
Both the open-loop and closed-loop systems involve two reservoirs positioned at different elevations. During times of excess electricity generation, the surplus power is used to pump water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir, thereby storing the energy. This stored energy can be retrieved later during peak demand periods by allowing the water to flow back down from the upper reservoir through a turbine, which generates electricity.
As the world shifts towards using more variable renewable energy sources like solar and wind, the need for energy storage solutions is becoming increasingly important. Pumped storage is an important part of this transition, as it allows excess electricity to be stored and released when needed.
According to modeling by IRENA, the International Renewable Energy Agency, it’s estimated that around 420 GW of total installed pumped storage hydropower will be required to meet the climate goals outlined in the Paris Agreement by 2050.
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