What are pumped storage power plants?

Pumped storage power plants are currently the most economical way of efficiently storing large amounts of energy over a longer period. As the leading technology for energy storage services, pumped storage not only balances variable power production, but with its firm capacity it also serves as a reliable back-up.

What is pumped storage?

The water flows into the lower basin. Pumped storage is economically and environmentally the most developed form of storing energy during base-load phases while making this energy available to the grid for peaking supply needs and system regulation. Voith has delivered this technology since its inception.

What is a pumped storage power station?

Their special feature: They are an energy store and a hydroelectric power plant in one. If there is a surplus of power in the grid, the pumped storage power station switches to pumping mode – an electric motor drives the pump turbines, which pumps water from a lower reservoir to a higher storage basin.

What is pumped hydro storage?

Hydropower can play a defining role in the energy transition thanks to the balancing and system services to the grid that facilitate the integration of variable renewables. With higher needs for storage and grid support services, Pumped Hydro Storage is the natural large-scale energy storage solution.

Why is pumped Energy Storage important?

As the leading technology for energy storage services, pumped storage not only balances variable power production, but with its firm capacity it also serves as a reliable back-up. This ensures grid stability while reducing the risk of blackouts.

How reliable are pumped power plants?

These machines have proven extremely reliable in practical operation. Hybrid solutions – such pumped storage power plants combined with wind and/or solar farms – are becoming increasingly important for the generation and storage of clean, renewable energy, as well as in the production of drinking water.