Dam power generation and energy storage

Do large dams provide energy security?

Based on that, we highlight that large dams listed in the most widely used dam dataset (GRAND ) provide not only around 5500 km 3 of water storage, but also 505 GW of hydropower , or 40 % of the global total installed capacity, highlighting the role of these dams for energy security.

How much water storage will future dams offer?

Based on a previously developed Monte Carlo Approach , future dams could also offer 3274 ± 208 km 3, of water storage, a 41 % increase compared to current condition. Secondly, we review what is known and not known about future growth in demands for hydropower and irrigation storage.

How can non-hydropower generation and storage improve water supply?

For renewable energy, alternative non-hydropower generation and storage technologies [, , ] can augment energy supplies and offer dispatchable energy . For irrigation, water storage can be provided by diverse solutions, including leveraging natural storage in the hydrologic cycle [22, 27].

How much power does a dam have?

Based on the findings from our data-fusion and modeling efforts, total installed capacity for dams included in common water infrastructure datasets [45, 78] is around 1167 GW (Fig. 3 a) (or around 15 % of global installed electricity generation capacity across all sources). Most of that capacity was added between 1950 and 1990 (Fig. 3 a).

Are dams enough for hydropower & irrigation storage by 2050?

Comparing the projected demand for hydropower and irrigation storage by 2050 with the available technical potential highlights where dams could be sufficient to meet demands, and where other solutions are needed.

What is the storage volume of dams and reservoirs?

We estimate that the total storage volume of dams and reservoirs is 8062 km 3 (sum of what is tabulated in GRAND and what we calculated for hydropower dams in GPPD). Of that, 1537 km 3 (19 %) is in dams and reservoirs for irrigation and hydropower (445 dams, 3.5 km 3 /per dams, red in Fig. 3 b).