Pumped storage hydropower (PSH) plays a critical role in enhancing energy reliability by serving as one of the few large-scale, cost-effective means of storing and deploying electricity to balance grid supply and demand. It works by moving water between two reservoirs at different elevations: excess electricity during low demand periods is used to pump water to an upper reservoir, and during high demand periods, the stored water is released downhill through turbines to generate electricity.
Key contributions of pumped storage hydropower to energy reliability include:
- Grid Balancing and Ancillary Services: PSH provides essential ancillary services such as network frequency control and reserve generation. These services help maintain the stability and reliability of the electrical grid by responding almost instantaneously to fluctuations in electricity supply and demand.
- Flexible and Fast Response: The ability of PSH plants to ramp production up or down within seconds makes them ideal for managing sudden changes in load or generation, which is particularly important for integrating variable renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
- Large-Scale Energy Storage: PSH offers significant storage capacity (typically 6 to 20 hours of hydraulic reservoir operation), enabling utilities to store energy when production exceeds demand and release it when demand peaks. This capability supports smooth operation of baseload plants and helps reduce reliance on fossil fuel peaking power plants.
- Support for Renewable Integration: By balancing the intermittency of renewables, pumped storage helps integrate increasing amounts of wind and solar generation into the grid, enhancing overall system reliability and enabling a cleaner energy portfolio.
Currently, the U.S. has over 20 GW of pumped storage capacity, with plans for expansion to help meet the growing need for grid flexibility as renewable generation increases.
In summary, pumped storage hydropower acts like a large “water battery,” providing essential energy storage, grid stability, fast response capability, and renewable integration support to enhance the reliability and resilience of the electricity grid.
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