There is a pressing need for a transition from fossil-fuel to renewable
energy to meet the increasing energy demands and reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. The Nepal Himalaya possesses substantial renewable energy potential
that can be harnessed through hydropower projects due to its peculiar
topographic characteristics and abundant water resources. However, the current
exploitation rate is low owing to the predominance of run-of-river hydropower
systems to support the nation's power system. The utility-scale storage
facility is crucial in the load scenario of an integrated Nepalese power system
to manage diurnal variation, peak demand, and penetration of intermittent
energy sources. In this study, we first identify the potential of pumped
storage hydropower across the country under multiple configurations by pairing
lakes, hydropower projects, rivers, and available flat terrains. We then
identify technically feasible pairs from those of potential locations.
Infrastructural, environmental, operational, and other technical constraints
govern the choice of feasible locations. We find the flat land-to-river
configuration most promising over other configurations for Nepal. Our results
provide insight into the potential of pumped storage hydropower and are of
practical importance in planning sustainable power systems in the Himalayas