Pumped hydro storage offers several key environmental benefits when used for grid frequency support:
- Reduces reliance on fossil fuels: By storing excess renewable energy (such as wind and solar) and supplying it during peak demand, pumped hydro limits the need to activate fossil fuel power plants, thereby cutting greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing sustainability of the power grid.
- Lowest global warming potential among storage technologies: Closed-loop pumped hydro systems, which use water cycling between two reservoirs without connection to natural water bodies, have been found to have the lowest potential for contributing to global warming compared to other grid-scale energy storage technologies, considering full life cycle impacts including materials and construction.
- Supports renewable energy integration: Pumped hydro storage provides large-scale, long-duration storage capacity that balances intermittent renewable generation, stabilizes the grid, and ensures a reliable power supply. This enables greater penetration of clean renewable energy sources, accelerating the transition to a low-carbon energy system.
- Economic and environmental synergy: Beyond environmental benefits, pumped hydro storage can reduce overall energy system costs significantly, which supports investment in renewables and cleaner energy infrastructure, reinforcing net zero carbon emission targets.
In summary, pumped hydro storage for frequency support is environmentally advantageous because it lowers greenhouse emissions by replacing fossil fuel peaking plants, offers the lowest life cycle climate impact among key storage options, and facilitates higher renewable energy usage and grid stability, all of which contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable electric grid.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-are-the-environmental-benefits-of-using-pumped-hydro-storage-for-grid-frequency-support/
