Pumped Hydro Storage

Pumped hydro energy storage is resurging in popularity across the globe as governments and utilities seek to ensure grid stability in markets with increasing penetration of renewables. Around the world, pumped hydro energy storage projects make up the vast majority of grid energy storage and have traditionally been used to supply additional power to a grid during times of highest demand and to provide frequency control ancillary services (FCAS). As generation from renewable sources increases, energy markets are changing to the point where electricity prices during the day can be very low, with peak power prices shifting to later in the day when the sun sets and the wind drops. Pumped hydro projects can take advantage of this change in market conditions by pumping when power prices are low, and generating using stored water when prices are at their peak. We believe that the future of the energy sector relies on ‘dispatchable renewables’, where renewable generation combines with long-term energy storage. We have tuned our capabilities accordingly, combining significant expertise in utility-scale hydropower, solar and wind farms and hybrid projects with power systems analysis and grid connection. For successful pumped hydro projects, developers need to identify a viable site, achieve a technically and commercially feasible design, and make the most of the economics of the energy market. Entura has worked with various project developers to assist them with choosing the right site and developing technical feasibility studies.