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Pumped storage |


Above: The Rudolf Fettweis hydropower plant in Germany is being converted to pumped storage


reservoir in the adjacent hillside which will serve as


the lower reservoir. Over in the US, Dairyland Power Cooperative is


collaborating with Mine Storage International and Michigan Technological University to explore the potential for pumped storage hydropower in the Upper Midwest. Dairyland will be evaluating the development of underground pumped hydro at closed mines, an opportunity that supports grid reliability and renewable energy generation while repurposing retired industrial sites in an innovative way. “The Mine Storage system brings unique benefits as it essentially recycles an existing but unused site into a flexible, carbon-free power storage system without some of the environmental concerns of traditional battery storage,” said Dairyland President and CEO Brent Ridge.


Below: Aerial image of Wivenhoe Dam near Brisbane. Queensland’s only existing pumped storage facility, the 570MW Wivenhoe project, is undergoing a major overhaul


Australian news Queensland’s only existing pumped storage facility,


the 570MW Wivenhoe project in Australia, is set to be given a major A$17 million overhaul to ensure the ongoing reliability of the 285MW Unit 2. Such planned maintenance work on the two units takes place every


five years. Unit 1 at the facility will continue to operate as normal during the works, after its own overhaul in 2021. Undertaking significant maintenance on one turbine at a time means Wivenhoe can continue to operate throughout the overhaul period, providing reliable low-emission energy to the grid. As Queensland’s only current pumped storage hydroelectric power station, it is described as setting the state up for 70 per cent renewable energy by 2032. Trevor Turner, Wivenhoe Site’s Manager, explained that the maintenance work requires a highly skilled workforce. “Our team will be required to work across three separate work fronts which predominately include working at heights and in confined spaces to inspect and where needed, repair or refurbish the power station structure which is around 50m below Wivenhoe dam level,” he said. “The team is very proud of the work we are doing to preserve and enhance the efficiency and long-term reliability of the power station, and our sharp focus on health, safety, environment and quality will be the key to a successful overhaul.” Down in New South Wales, Snowy Hydro’s management team has announced that the Snowy 2.0 project could be delayed by up to two years. Set to be Australia’s largest renewable energy project the scheme will link Tantangara Reservoir with Talbingo Reservoir through 27km of tunnels and a power station with pumping capabilities. Despite significant progress being made, various


factors have contributed to schedule delays and cost increases. These include the mobilisation and resourcing implications of the COVID-19 pandemic; global supply chain disruption and inflation affecting the cost and availability of a skilled workforce, materials, and shipping; design elements requiring more time to complete due to their technically complex nature; and variable site and geological conditions.


“While many other major infrastructure projects have been impacted by the same challenges, Snowy 2.0 continues to make positive progress,” Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes emphasised, adding that the project is providing significant employment and economic benefits both regionally and domestically.


Indian guidelines Recent estimates suggest that India will need at least


18.8GW of pumped storage to support the integration of wind and solar into its grid by 2032, and with an on-river pumped storage potential of 103GW plus many off-river sites, the government is keen to promote development across the country. To help spearhead this push, the government has


released its new guidelines aimed at encouraging investment across the sector. Unveiled by the Ministry of Power the new publication makes recommendations for market and policy development to encourage progress and help boost the country’s energy storage capabilities. Listed in the recommendations is the need to monetise pumped storage’s ancillary services, identify and safely develop exhausted mines for prospective sites, and the use of concessional climate finance to support development. The Ministry of Power believes the guidelines will be an important tool in promoting the development of pumped storage projects across India, and are confident they will help to unlock their full potential.


20 | July 2023 | www.waterpowermagazine.com


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