Pumped-storage hydropower

Europe is faced with a complex and challenging restructuring of its energy system the European Union has agreed to undertake major cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and to increase power generation from renewable energy sources wind power will make up much of Europe's future power generation several major projects are already being constructed and planned on the continent in the North Sea and along the UK coastline wind power can only be generated when the wind is blowing and variations are considerable over time these variations do not always correspond with a consumption a large share of wind power would represent a major challenge to the stability of the transmission systems and the security of supply for the consumers there is a need for backup capacity in order to generate power on days with no wind and high demand there is also a need for storage capacity for surplus power on days with strong wind and low demand in Norway with its long history of hydropower generation we find half of Europe's reservoir capacity new pumped storage power plants in connection with existing reservoirs could be part of the solution in securing a reliable energy system on windy days surplus power could be used to pump water from the low to high altitude reservoirs this water could in turn be released to generate power on days when demand is high and wind levels are low this cycle can be repeated over and over again in order to use Norwegian hydropower reservoirs as rechargeable batteries for the European power supply more transmission capacity must be established between Norway and the major European consumption areas pumped storage power solutions must be developed in such a way that the environmental impacts are reduced to a minimum the climate threat is a global challenge a further development of Norwegian hydropower can contribute to a more reliable and not least a cleaner European energy supply

Channel: Statkraft

Views: 170,468

Rating: 4.8307533 out of 5

Keywords: Statkraft, Energy, Power, Hydropower (Industry), pumped storage, hydro, power, wind power, Europe (Continent)

Id: lsSUPpwtqhQ

Length: 2min 30sec (150 seconds)

Published: Thu May 22 2014