Khartoum pumped storage power station road

How many pumped storage stations are in operation?

Figure 2: The plot above visualises (logarithmic scale used) the estimated discharge durations relative to installed capacity and energy storage capacity for some 250 pumped storage stations currently in operation, based on information from IHA’s Pumped Storage Tracking Tool.

How long does a pumped storage station last?

The vast majority of pumped storage stations have a discharge duration longer than 6 hours, and some are capable of seasonal storage. The majority of today’s pumped storage stations were built some forty years ago. Yet, they are still providing vital services to our power systems today.

Where can pumped storage be developed?

While often thought of as geographically constrained, recent studies have identified vast technical potential for pumped storage development worldwide. Research by the Australian National University highlighted over 600,000 potential sites for low-impact off-river pumped storage development, including locations in California.

Is pumped storage hydropower a good solution?

Pumped storage hydropower has proven to be an ideal solution to the growing list of challenges faced by grid operators. As the transition to a clean energy future rapidly unfolds, this flexible technology will become even more important for a reliable, affordable and low carbon grid, write IHA analysts Nicholas Troja and Samuel Law.

Is pumped storage a mature technology?

Despite being a mature technology, the resurgence of interest in pumped storage has brought forth numerous new R&D initiatives. One prominent example is the European Commission’s four-year XFLEX HYDRO project, which aims to develop new technological solutions to enhance hydropower's flexibility.

How do pumped storage plants work?

One characteristic of pumped storage plants is the need to stop and reverse rotation to commence pumping. To date, when transitioning from generating to pumping mode, an auxiliary pump motor starting or induction starting of the main synchronous machine is used to bring the system up to speed.