Pumped water storage station at work

What is a pumped storage hydropower facility?

A pumped storage hydropower facility uses water and gravity to create and store renewable energy.

How does pumped storage hydropower (PSH) work?

Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) works by using two reservoirs of water at different elevations. During periods of high energy production, excess energy is used to pump water up into the higher reservoir. This stored energy can then be released later to generate electricity.

How do pumped storage systems work?

Releasing water from the upper reservoir through turbines generates power. This process is crucial during peak electricity demand periods. Design Efficiency: The design of dams in pumped storage systems is tailored to maximise energy storage and generation efficiency. This involves considerations of dam height, water flow, and storage capacity.

How does a pumped storage plant work?

The basic operating principle is similar for all of them: water flows through a turbine to generate electricity. However, unlike run-of-river or reservoir power plants, pumped storage plants enable us to store and schedule hydroelectric power generation, while also playing a crucial role in stabilizing the power grid.

What is a storage hydropower plant?

Storage hydropower plants, also called pumped storage plants, are facilities that produce electricity by storing water in an upper reservoir, then releasing it and running it through turbines at a lower level, thus generating electricity.

What is a closed-loop pumped storage hydropower system?

With closed-loop PSH, reservoirs are not connected to an outside body of water. Open-loop pumped storage hydropower systems connect a reservoir to a naturally flowing water feature via a tunnel, using a turbine/pump and generator/motor to move water and create electricity.