Pumped hydro-storage

More electric energy is invested in pumping water for pumped storage hydroelectricity than is produced by the electric generators. Therefore, the net production of electricity from pumped hydro sources is slightly negative and docs not appear on the chart in... 

The content of Figs. 10.1 and 10.2 is summarized in Fig. 10.3 by showing power as a function of discharge duration for both applications and energy-storage technologies. Supercapacitors, flywheels, and SMES are shown to be primarily useful for power-quality applications. Batteries are suitable for a broad spectrum of applications, and pumped-hydro and CAES are shown to be primarily useful for load levelling [9]. 

Pumped hydro is the most commonly employed non-electrochemical energy storage technology and has been used in the United States since 1929. In the United States, interest in energy stort e technologies soared during the energy crisis of the mid-1970 s. 

Energy storage systems will also affect the environment, although not always beneficially. In operation most do not pollute or disrupt an ecosystem and so are environmentally benign. On the other hand, construction of CAES or pumped hydro is disruptive, and manufacture of the other systems frequently entails waste products that are toxic. In balance, however, energy storage systems will prove to have less environmental impact than electricity produced from coal-, nuclear-, or gas-powered or hydroelectric generators. 

First Hydro Company. (1998). About Pumped Storage. . 

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