| Pumped storage
sorted out that do not qualify due to one or more of the following reasons: ● Existing settlements, ● unfavourable dam site geometry ● other no-go area; or ● Already pumped storage plant constructed at site. The remaining projects are pairs of upper and lower reservoirs named Class B-Projects.
Confirmation of Parameters The parameters as calculated in the GIS are now confirmed by an engineer. The confirmed Class A-Projects are displayed in a data sheet. The next step would then be to perform a site visit and conduct a pre-feasibility study. We then compare the results of the study to the
existing pumped storage plants in in the screened area. Typically, it has identified the vast majority of existing pumped storage plants.
UK pumped hydro opportunity Pumped storage has a very special opportunity
in the UK at the moment. Huge capacities of wind and solar generation are currently being deployed into the national grid in our efforts to transition to a net zero economy. The industry recognises that a bulk energy storage technology is necessary to offset these intermittent generation sources and allow their dispatch when required by consumers. Pumped storage is extremely well positioned to fulfil this requirement with its maturity, long asset lifespan and ability to store at a GWh scale and dispatch that power on demand at scale. The UK government is considering this area for support and has released several calls for evidence on long duration storage in recent years. The industry is engaged with this consultation process, and we hope to receive further positive feedback from government in the near future to support new build pumped storage in the UK. Considering the current position in the UK, this is a
very exciting time to be a hydropower engineer. We have three new build projects with planning consent and many more projects being brought forward by developers for consenting. We have a rich heritage of
Example Result for New Upper and Lower Reservoir
• Head 356 m
• Length of tunnel 2200 m • Installed capacity 454 MW • Reservoir volumes 2.5 million m3
Establishment of DEM in GIS GIS-Based Screening
• Topographical conditions: Δh und Δh/L • Geomorphology • Hydrology / Hydromorphology • Ecology (exclusion of protected areas)
Class D projects GIS-based Ranking
• Existing reservoirs • Distance to electricity network • Distance to existing infrastructure • Distance to water resources for first filling • Distance to water resources for recharging • Location inside/outside protected areas
Class C projects Cross-check
• Suitable geometry for reservoirs • Check of the local conditions
Class B projects Confirmation of Parameters
• Potential reservoir size • Potential head • Ratio between head and length of waterway • Design discharge • Installed capacity • Preliminary cost estimate
Class A projects
schemes developed by the North of Scotland Hydro- Electric Board and the Central Electricity Generating Board, while pumped storage schemes such as Dinorwig and Cruachan remain integral to the stability of our national grid.
I hope we will have the opportunity, as the current generation of hydropower engineers, to witness a new generation of pumped storage hydropower schemes in the UK. ●
Above: Figure 1. Flow chart for the methodology of the screening
Project definition Reality check Rank the results Identify projects
Apply minimum criteria Apply no-go criteria
Left: Figure 2. Example of Class A-Project in Lower Saxony, Germany
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