pumpedstoragehydroelektriciteit

Pumped-storage hydroelectricity (PSH) is a form of grid energy storage that uses two reservoirs at different elevations. When electricity is inexpensive or plentiful, surplus power drives reversible pump-turbine units to move water from a lower to an upper reservoir, storing gravitational potential energy. When demand rises, water is released back through the same turbines to generate electricity. PSH provides large-scale storage, rapid response, and time-shifting for variable generation such as wind and solar.

Typical PSH installations consist of upper and lower reservoirs, intake structures, penstocks, and one or more reversible pump-turbine units paired with generators. The same equipment can operate in pump mode or turbine mode. Round-trip efficiency is commonly around 70-80%, and plants can store energy for hours to days, delivering power within seconds to minutes when needed.

Construction requires substantial capital and suitable geography, often with leverage from existing hydropower infrastructure. Plants have long lifespans, frequently exceeding 50 years. Environmental and social considerations include land use, ecological disruption, water management, and potentially seismic or water quality impacts. While capital-intensive, PSH can offer low operating costs and long-term grid value.

Notable facilities include Bath County in the United States (about 1,520 MW), Dinorwig in the United Kingdom (about 1,728 MW), and Cruachan in Scotland (around 440 MW). Globally, PSH remains a key option for grid stability, energy storage, and peak-shaving, and research continues on modular designs, integration with other storage forms, and repurposing sites to expand capacity.