Tag:plant:method=water-pumped-storage
| plant:method = water-pumped-storage |
| Description |
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| Specifies the method as pumped-storage hydroelectricity |
| Group: Power |
| Used on these elements |
| Requires |
| Useful combination |
| Status: in use |
| Tools for this tag |
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A pumped storage power plant is a hydroelectric power plant which can be run in reverse to pump water uphill at times of low electricity demand.
The method stores energy in the form of gravitational potential energy of water, pumped from a lower elevation reservoir to a higher elevation.
During periods of high electrical demand, the stored water is released through turbines to produce electricity. Although the losses of the pumping process makes the plant a net consumer of energy overall, pumped storage assists with balancing the supply of electricity on the grid and produces revenue for the operator by storing energy when electricity prices are low and releasing it when prices are high.
Diagram of the TVA pumped storage facility at Raccoon Mountain Pumped-Storage Plant