Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) Growth Potential
Pumped storage hydropower (PSH) has significant potential for future growth, both globally and regionally. Here are some key points highlighting its potential:
Global Perspective
- Development Pipeline: As of the latest reports, there are 214 GW of PSH projects at various stages of development worldwide.
- Existing Capacity: Globally, there are about 270 PSH plants operating or under construction, with a combined generating capacity of over 127,000 MW.
U.S. Perspective
- Current Contribution: PSH accounts for about 96% of all utility-scale energy storage in the United States, with 43 existing plants.
- Future Potential: The U.S. has the potential to more than double its current PSH capacity. Additionally, there are over 60 projects in the licensing and permitting queue, representing about 51,310 MW of potential storage.
Regional Opportunities
- Alaska: A recent study identified more than 1,800 sites suitable for PSH development in Alaska, offering significant potential to integrate more wind and solar power into the grid.
Key Drivers for Growth
- Renewable Energy Integration: PSH is crucial for balancing the intermittency of solar and wind power, making it a key technology for supporting the integration of variable renewable energy sources into the grid.
- Energy Storage Demand: As renewable energy capacities increase globally, the demand for large-scale energy storage solutions like PSH will grow to ensure grid stability and reliability.
Overall, PSH has substantial growth potential both globally and in regions like the United States, particularly Alaska. Its role in supporting renewable energy integration and grid resilience is expected to become increasingly important in the future energy landscape.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-much-potential-does-pumped-storage-hydropower-have-for-future-growth/
