Pumped Storage/Wind Integration
Pumped Storage/Wind Integration benefits renewable energy programs and provides water for salmonoid recovery, instream flow improvements, agriculture and municipal growth.
from Opportunities in Pumped Storage Hydropower:
Supporting Attainment of Our Renewable Energy Goals
By: Rick Miller, P.E., Senior Vice President, Hydropower Division, HDR|DTA and Maureen Winters, Corporate Consultant, Hydropower Division, HDR|DTA
Since its inception in the 1930s pumped storage hydro has provided significant benefits to our energy supply system including storage, load balancing, frequency control and reserve generation. Pumped storage is now being applied to firm the variablity of renewable power sources, such as wind and solar generation. Pumped storage absorbs load at times of high output and low demand, while providing additional peak capacity. With the advent of state by state Renewable Portfolio Standards driving the planning and commissioning of a tremendous amount of variable renewable energy projects across the country, America’s electrical energy infrastructure needs storage capacity more than ever. Pumped storage hydro is proving to be an enabling technology for these growing variable renewable power sources’ penetration into the United States energy supply system.
Wind Integration Utilizing Pumped Storage Presentation
by Rick Miller, P.E.
Feburary 2010
Pumped Storage Wind Integration
Yakima Basin Storage Alliance believes an opportunity exists to assist in addressing the surplus electricity created by spring Columbia River runoff and wind power generation. Pumping surplus water uphill using excess power, storing water in a reservoir and returning it to the Columbia River will generate electrical power when the wind isn’t blowing. The electricity produced would provide an opportunity to assist in distributing the electricity when transmission lines and markets are available.
A pumped storage project using wind generated electricity could allow the wind industry to receive environmental incentive money. The reservoir would provide a storage battery for energy and benefit fish, agriculture, municipal needs and economic stability with a reliable water supply being left in the Yakima River.
Wind-Hydro Integration: Pumped Storage to Support Wind from HydroWorld.com
By Fernando Perán Montero and Juan J. Pérez
The 635-MW La Muela pumped-storage plant in Spain is being expanded
with the addition of a second powerhouse, 852-MW La Muela 2. Iberdrola
anticipates that this plant will begin operating in 2012 to help firm the
variability of the utility’s extensive wind capacity.
Pumped Storage/Wind Integration creating and using stored water for future energy generation has proven beneficial and cost effective for years. See the following links for information on using stored water as a battery for future electrical generation
Bonneville Power Administration – Pumped Storage Evaluation Article
Pump Up the Volume: Using Hydro Storage to Support Wind Integration Article
Integration of Wind and Pumped Storage Hydropower Video
ENERGY STORAGE: Opportunities for Pumped Storage: Supporting Renewable Energy Goals Article.