3 research outputs found
Low-head pumped hydro storage: A review of applicable technologies for design, grid integration, control and modelling
To counteract a potential reduction in grid stability caused by a rapidly growing share of intermittent renewable energy sources within our electrical grids, large scale deployment of energy storage will become indispensable. Pumped hydro storage is widely regarded as the most cost-effective option for this. However, its application is traditionally limited to certain topographic features. Expanding its operating range to lowhead scenarios could unlock the potential of widespread deployment in regions where so far it has not yet been feasible. This review aims at giving a multi-disciplinary insight on technologies that are applicable for low-head (2-30 m) pumped hydro storage, in terms of design, grid integration, control, and modelling. A general overview and the historical development of pumped hydro storage are presented and trends for further innovation and a shift towards application in low-head scenarios are identified. Key drivers for future deployment and the technological and economic challenges to do so are discussed. Based on these challenges, technologies in the field of pumped hydro storage are reviewed and specifically analysed regarding their fitness for low-head application. This is done for pump and turbine design and configuration, electric machines and control, as well as modelling. Further aspects regarding grid integration are discussed. Among conventional machines, it is found that, for high-flow low-head application, axial flow pump-turbines with variable speed drives are the most suitable. Machines such as Archimedes screws, counter-rotating and rotary positive displacement reversible pump-turbines have potential to emerge as innovative solutions. Coupled axial flux permanent magnet synchronous motor-generators are the most promising electric machines. To ensure grid stability, grid-forming control alongside bulk energy storage with capabilities of providing synthetic inertia next to other ancillary services are required
Low-head pumped hydro storage: A review of applicable technologies for design, grid integration, control and modelling
To counteract a potential reduction in grid stability caused by a rapidly growing share of intermittent renewable energy sources within our electrical grids, large scale deployment of energy storage will become indispensable. Pumped hydro storage is widely regarded as the most cost-effective option for this. However, its application is traditionally limited to certain topographic features. Expanding its operating range to low-head scenarios could unlock the potential of widespread deployment in regions where so far it has not yet been feasible. This review aims at giving a multi-disciplinary insight on technologies that are applicable for low-head (2-30 m) pumped hydro storage, in terms of design, grid integration, control, and modelling. A general overview and the historical development of pumped hydro storage are presented and trends for further innovation and a shift towards application in low-head scenarios are identified. Key drivers for future deployment and the technological and economic challenges to do so are discussed. Based on these challenges, technologies in the field of pumped hydro storage are reviewed and specifically analysed regarding their fitness for low-head application. This is done for pump and turbine design and configuration, electric machines and control, as well as modelling. Further aspects regarding grid integration are discussed. Among conventional machines, it is found that, for high-flow low-head application, axial flow pump-turbines with variable speed drives are the most suitable. Machines such as Archimedes screws, counter-rotating and rotary positive displacement reversible pump-turbines have potential to emerge as innovative solutions. Coupled axial flux permanent magnet synchronous motor-generators are the most promising electric machines. To ensure grid stability, grid-forming control alongside bulk energy storage with capabilities of providing synthetic inertia next to other ancillary services are required
The contribution of lowâhead pumped hydro storage to grid stability in future power systems
The pan-European power grid is experiencing an increasing penetration of Variable
Renewable Energy (VRE). The fluctuating and non-dispatchable nature of VRE hinders
them in providing the Ancillary Service (AS) needed for the reliability and stability of the
grid. Therefore, Energy Storage Systems (ESS) are needed along the VRE. Among the different
ESS, a particularly viable and reliable option is Pumped Hydro Storage (PHS), given
its cost-effective implementation and considerable lifespan, in comparison to other technologies.
Traditional PHS plants with Francis turbines operate at a high head difference.
However, not all regions have the necessary topology to make these plants cost-effective
and efficient. Therefore, the ALPHEUS project will introduce low-head PHS for regions
with a relatively flat topography. In this paper, a grid-forming controlled converter coupled
with low-head PHS that can contribute to the grid stability is introduced, emphasising its
ability to provide different AS, especially frequency control, through the provision of fast
Frequency Containment Reserve (fFCR) as well as synthetic system inertia. This paper is
an extended version of the paper âThe Contribution of Low-head Pumped Hydro Storage
to a successful Energy Transitionâ, which was presented at the 19th Wind Integration
Workshop 2020