Introduction to the central europe lome pumped storage power station

How does a pumped storage plant generate electricity?

Pumped storage plants convert potential energy to electrical energy, or, electrical energy to potential energy. They achieve this by allowing water to flow from a high elevation to a lower elevation, or, by pumping water from a low elevation to a higher elevation. When water flows to a lower elevation, the power plant generates electricity.

What is a pumped storage power plant?

Pumped storage power plants are used to balance the frequency, voltage and power demands within the electrical grid; they are often utilized to add additional megawatt capacity to the grid during periods of high power demand. For this reason, pumped storage plants are referred to as ‘ peaking ’ plants. Electrical Grid Power Demand Graph

How does a pumped-storage power plant work?

Pumped-storage power plants have two water reservoirs at different heights. During off-peak hours, water is pumped from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir. Once there, this water is used to generate electricity at times of peak electricity consumption.

Why do pumped storage plants need a higher reservoir?

Electrical Grid Power Demand Graph Because pumped storage plants can provide electrical grid operators with power ‘on-demand’, they have a high level of dispatchability (the ability to provide power to the grid quickly when needed). Irrespective geographical location, all pumped storage plants require an upper reservoir and lower reservoir.

Where is the largest pumped hydroelectric plant in Europe?

La Muela, in the Cortes de Pallás reservoir, on the right bank of the Júcar river, is considered the largest pumped hydroelectric plant in Europe. It has an installed capacity of 1,482 MW, which supplies around 400,000 homes. Located in a cavern, the installation has seven groups of reversible turbines.

How does a pumped storage plant make a profit?

Power is purchased from the grid at 1ct/kWh to pump water from the lower to upper reservoir. Power is sold to the grid at 2ct/kWh by allowing water to flow from the upper to lower reservoir. The pumped storage plant has generated 1ct/kWh of profit during this process because: 2ct/kWh (sale) - 1ct/kWh (purchase) = 1ctkWh (profit).