Pumped hydroelectric energy storage (PHES) can indeed be used in conjunction with other renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. In fact, PHES is ideally suited to complement these variable renewable energy sources by providing grid reliability, stability, and long-duration energy storage.
How Pumped Hydro Works with Renewables:
- PHES stores excess electricity generated during times of high renewable output (for example, when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing) by pumping water to a higher elevation reservoir.
- When renewable generation drops or electricity demand increases, the stored water is released to flow downhill through turbines, generating electricity on demand.
- This process effectively balances supply and demand, helping to mitigate the intermittency of solar and wind power, making the overall energy supply more reliable and dispatchable.
Benefits of Integration:
- PHES acts as a “water battery” for solar and wind, storing surplus renewable energy for use during periods of low generation or peak demand.
- It enhances grid stability and reliability by providing frequency regulation, spinning reserve, and load balancing services that variable renewables alone cannot consistently supply.
- Large-scale PHES projects can provide long-duration storage capacity, making it easier to integrate high shares of renewables into the electricity grid.
Current Initiatives and Support:
- The U.S. Department of Energy supports projects that integrate pumped storage hydropower with wind and solar through funding initiatives aimed at increasing storage capacity and facilitating renewable integration on a large scale, including projects on Tribal lands.
In summary, pumped hydroelectric energy storage is a mature, flexible, and scalable technology that synergizes well with renewable energy sources like solar and wind. By storing excess renewable generation and supplying power during deficits, PHES plays a critical role in enabling a reliable, clean energy grid transition.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/can-pumped-hydroelectric-energy-storage-be-used-in-conjunction-with-other-renewable-energy-sources/
