Technical Considerations in the Preliminary Design of the Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH)

The development of renewable energy is an effective avenue for achieving net zero goals. It requires many energy storage systems (ESSs) for adjusting the unstable power generated by renewable energy. To date, PSH is the most technically mature, economically reasonable, and reliable ESS. Currently, v...

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Main Authors: Haoyong Tian, Zaimin Ren, Chenchen Yao, Chao Wang, Meirong Li, Chunchen Xia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Hydrology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/11/12/216
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author Haoyong Tian
Zaimin Ren
Chenchen Yao
Chao Wang
Meirong Li
Chunchen Xia
author_facet Haoyong Tian
Zaimin Ren
Chenchen Yao
Chao Wang
Meirong Li
Chunchen Xia
author_sort Haoyong Tian
collection DOAJ
description The development of renewable energy is an effective avenue for achieving net zero goals. It requires many energy storage systems (ESSs) for adjusting the unstable power generated by renewable energy. To date, PSH is the most technically mature, economically reasonable, and reliable ESS. Currently, various countries have developed PSH. As of 2022, the global installed capacity of PSH has reached 175,060 MW, with an annual increase of 10,300 MW. This paper addresses several technical considerations in the preliminary design of PSH systems, drawing on extensive design experience. Key factors such as the selection of dam sites, installed capacity, and characteristic water levels are thoroughly discussed. These design choices are influenced by a range of factors, including geological and topographical conditions, hydrological parameters, environmental impacts, sedimentation, submersion areas, and resettlement issues. PSH is highly effective in meeting power demands, regulating frequency and phase, serving as an emergency power reserve, and improving the power factor of electrical networks. It enhances the quality of renewable energy sources such as wind, photovoltaic, and tidal power, which are characterized by intermittent supply. Beyond its technical advantages, PSH also contributes to local employment and tourism and supports pollutant reduction efforts. Compared to other energy storage systems, PSH has a more significant environmental impact and requires a longer construction period. Thus, exploring new forms of PSH is crucial. Innovative approaches such as utilizing constructed reservoirs, lakes, seas, and abandoned pits can reduce both investment and construction time while minimizing the environmental impact. This paper aims to provide some technical references and feasible plans to governments, owners, and engineers during the planning and preliminary design stages of a PSH project.
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spelling doaj-art-bd2b3878afce41b1a96f1fa30069ee1c2025-08-20T02:00:34ZengMDPI AGHydrology2306-53382024-12-01111221610.3390/hydrology11120216Technical Considerations in the Preliminary Design of the Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH)Haoyong Tian0Zaimin Ren1Chenchen Yao2Chao Wang3Meirong Li4Chunchen Xia5Energy and Water Conservancy Planning Institute, Power China Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited, Hangzhou 311100, ChinaEnergy and Water Conservancy Planning Institute, Power China Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited, Hangzhou 311100, ChinaEnergy and Water Conservancy Planning Institute, Power China Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited, Hangzhou 311100, ChinaEnergy and Water Conservancy Planning Institute, Power China Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited, Hangzhou 311100, ChinaEnergy and Water Conservancy Planning Institute, Power China Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited, Hangzhou 311100, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, ChinaThe development of renewable energy is an effective avenue for achieving net zero goals. It requires many energy storage systems (ESSs) for adjusting the unstable power generated by renewable energy. To date, PSH is the most technically mature, economically reasonable, and reliable ESS. Currently, various countries have developed PSH. As of 2022, the global installed capacity of PSH has reached 175,060 MW, with an annual increase of 10,300 MW. This paper addresses several technical considerations in the preliminary design of PSH systems, drawing on extensive design experience. Key factors such as the selection of dam sites, installed capacity, and characteristic water levels are thoroughly discussed. These design choices are influenced by a range of factors, including geological and topographical conditions, hydrological parameters, environmental impacts, sedimentation, submersion areas, and resettlement issues. PSH is highly effective in meeting power demands, regulating frequency and phase, serving as an emergency power reserve, and improving the power factor of electrical networks. It enhances the quality of renewable energy sources such as wind, photovoltaic, and tidal power, which are characterized by intermittent supply. Beyond its technical advantages, PSH also contributes to local employment and tourism and supports pollutant reduction efforts. Compared to other energy storage systems, PSH has a more significant environmental impact and requires a longer construction period. Thus, exploring new forms of PSH is crucial. Innovative approaches such as utilizing constructed reservoirs, lakes, seas, and abandoned pits can reduce both investment and construction time while minimizing the environmental impact. This paper aims to provide some technical references and feasible plans to governments, owners, and engineers during the planning and preliminary design stages of a PSH project.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/11/12/216pumped storage hydropowersediment issuecharacteristic water leveldam sitepreliminary design
spellingShingle Haoyong Tian
Zaimin Ren
Chenchen Yao
Chao Wang
Meirong Li
Chunchen Xia
Technical Considerations in the Preliminary Design of the Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH)
Hydrology
pumped storage hydropower
sediment issue
characteristic water level
dam site
preliminary design
title Technical Considerations in the Preliminary Design of the Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH)
title_full Technical Considerations in the Preliminary Design of the Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH)
title_fullStr Technical Considerations in the Preliminary Design of the Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH)
title_full_unstemmed Technical Considerations in the Preliminary Design of the Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH)
title_short Technical Considerations in the Preliminary Design of the Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH)
title_sort technical considerations in the preliminary design of the pumped storage hydropower psh
topic pumped storage hydropower
sediment issue
characteristic water level
dam site
preliminary design
url https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/11/12/216
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