Pumped hydro storage is the only large energy storage technique widely used in power systems. For decades, utilities have used pumped hydro storage as an economical way to utilise off-peak energy, by pumping water to a reservoir at a higher level. During peak load periods the stored water is discharged through the reversible pump-turbines to generate electricity to meet the peak demand. Thus, the main idea is conceptually simple. Energy is stored as hydraulic potential energy by pumping water from a lower level to a higher level reservoir. When discharge of the energy is required, the water is returned to the lower reservoir through turbines that drive electricity generators.
Pumped hydro storage, Page 1 of 2
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