Pumped hydro storage (PHS) has been experiencing advancements aimed at improving its efficiency, which is crucial for integrating renewable energy sources like solar and wind into grids. Here are some of the key developments:
1. Technological Improvements
- Efficiency Enhancements: Modern reversible pump-turbines have increased the efficiency of PHS by up to 5% over the past 25 years, achieving cycle efficiencies greater than 80%. This is partly due to advancements in equipment like adjustable-speed pump turbines, which allow operation at peak efficiency under varying conditions.
2. Innovative Operations
- Variable Speed Turbines: Projects in Portugal and France are testing variable speed machines and hydraulic short circuits to enhance flexibility, improve efficiency, and extend operational ranges.
- Digitalization and Retrofits: Advances in digitalization and retrofitting existing facilities allow for more flexible and efficient operations, enabling PHS to better support variable renewable energy integration.
3. Spatial and Cost Efficiencies
- Submersible Technology: The development of submersible pump turbines and motor generators could eliminate the need for powerhouses, reducing construction costs and spatial requirements. This innovation could make PHS more feasible in previously unsuitable locations.
4. Maintenance and Repair Advances
- Cold-Curing Systems: The use of Belzona cold-curing systems provides an alternative repair solution for maintaining and improving PHS plants, ensuring they remain effective and efficient over time.
5. Economic Benefits
- Cost Savings: New PHS projects are projected to offer significant economic benefits, such as reducing energy system costs by potentially saving millions annually.
These advancements are critical for optimizing PHS, particularly as global demand for renewable energy storage increases, with PHS playing a pivotal role in balancing grids and supporting integration of solar and wind power.
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