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Pumped storage hydropower is a vital technology in the renewable energy transition, providing essential support to integrate variable sources (e.g., wind and solar energy) into the energy grid. With approximately 180 GW of global installed capacity as of 2023, it is proven to be the most reliable and cost-effective solution for large-scale energy storage. Anticipated to double within two decades, pumped storage is critical for stabilizing grids and meeting long-term clean electricity needs.Key Features and Benefits of Pumped Storage:
Proven Reliability: Pumped storage is the worlds oldest and most successful form of energy storage, with a very long plant life.
Grid Balancing: It stores surplus energy during periods of low demand and releases it during demand spikes or when renewable sources are unavailable.
Flexibility: The system ensures stability by rapidly adapting to sudden grid changes or outages.
Enhanced Stability: It boosts grid inertia and offers black-start capability, essential for recovering from power outages.
As the demand for clean electricity rises, managing variability and ensuring consistent power supply are paramount. Pumped storage addresses these challenges while reducing carbon emissions. Policymakers are urged to evaluate potential sites and establish financial frameworks to promote widespread adoption.
ANDRITZ’s Role in Pumped Storage:
From the first commercial pumped storage plant Niederwartha in Germany in 1929, to the recent installation of Fengning 2 and Zhen An in China, over the past century, ANDRITZ has been a global leader in pumped storage technology, delivering or modernizing over 460 pumped storage units with a combined 40,000 MW capacity. Nevertheless, ANDRITZ continuously invests in research, including the worlds most powerful test rig for turbines, especially for pump turbines with high heads, built and launched at the end of 2023 in Linz, Austria, and sets new standards to meet the changing needs of customers and the market.
By stabilizing the grid, enabling renewable energy integration, and enhancing overall energy efficiency, ANDRITZ helps pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future. As the low-carbon energy transition grows, pumped storage hydropower remains indispensable for achieving global climate goals. |
