TITLE:
Pumped-Storage Solution towards Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: Portugal Contribution and Real Case Studies
AUTHORS:
Helena M. Ramos, Maria P. Amaral, Didia I. C. Covas
KEYWORDS:
Pumped-Storage, Hydropower, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Water Resource and Protection,
Vol.6 No.12,
September
18,
2014
ABSTRACT: This
paper aims at presenting different pumped-storage solutions for improving the
energy efficiency and economic sustainability of water systems. The assessment
of pumped-storage solutions, either using fresh water or sea-water, is seen as
a viable option to solve problems of energy production, as well as in the
integration of intermittent renewable energies, providing system flexibility
due to energy loads’ fluctuation, as long as the storage of energy from
intermittent sources. Pumped-storage is one of the best and most efficient
options in terms of renewable resources as an integrated solution allowing the
improvement of the energy system elasticity and the global system efficiency.
Two real case studies are presented: a fresh water system installed in a river
dams—the Alqueva system, in Portugal—and a sea-water system in an arid region
of the Cape Verde Islands in Africa. These cases demonstrate the benefits
associated to pumped-storage solutions, depending on the storage volume
capacity, operational rules and energy tariffs.