Pumphüdroelektrijaamad

Pumphüdroelektrijaamad, also known as pumped-storage hydroelectric power plants, are a type of hydroelectric energy storage system. They work by using surplus electricity from the grid to pump water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir. When electricity demand is high, the stored water is released from the upper reservoir back down through turbines, generating electricity. This process effectively acts as a large-scale battery, helping to balance supply and demand on the electricity grid.

The core components of a pumphüdroelektrijaam are two reservoirs at different elevations, a waterway connecting them, and a powerhouse containing reversible pump-turbines and generators. The reversible units can operate as pumps when there is excess energy and as turbines when electricity is needed. The efficiency of a pumphüdroelektrijaam is typically around 70-80%, meaning a portion of the energy is lost during the pumping and generating cycle.

These facilities are crucial for grid stability, particularly with the increasing integration of intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. By storing energy when it is abundant and inexpensive, and releasing it when it is scarce and valuable, pumphüdroelektrijaamad help to ensure a reliable and consistent power supply. They can also provide rapid response to changes in grid frequency and voltage, offering essential grid services. The construction of these plants requires significant geographical features, such as suitable terrain for reservoirs and water flow, and they can have considerable environmental impacts.