Hybrid Solutions Brochure

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D E S C R I P T I O N
Intermittent renewable
resources including solar and
wind generation are often
not aligned with demand.
Hydro’s storage capabilities,
specifically pumped storage,
can help to match solar and
wind generation with demand.
Pumped storage plants store
energy using a system of two
interconnected reservoirs with
one at a higher elevation than the
other. Water is pumped to the
upper reservoir in times of surplus
energy and, in times of excess
demand, water from the upper
reservoir is released, generating
electricity as the water passes
through reversible Francis
turbines on its way to the lower
reservoir. The process is then
repeated with an overall cycle
efficiency of 80%.
For even more flexibility,
pumped storage plants can be
equipped with variable speed
technology which enables the
plant to provide power regulation
capabilities in generation and
pumping modes. Traditional
fixed speed pumped storage can
only provide power regulation
in generation mode. GE is a
world leader in pumped storage
plant equipment and supplies
in-house capabilities not only
for turbines and generators but
also the full electrical balance of
plant including power converters,
transformers HV switchgear and
circuit meters.
Pumped storage can deliver
ancillary services to improve
grid stability by providing grid
frequency support in both
directions, reactive power
compensation, voltage support,
black start capability and
large-scale energy storage. The
high inertia of rotating machines
can also stabilize the grid in case
of disturbances, which influences
grid frequency.
B E N E F I T S
• PSP can provide a wide range
of ancillary services needed
for system operability in the
future low-carbon world, with
capabilities similar to or in
some cases better than thermal
generation and other energy
storage technologies
• PSP is the most economical
storage technology for long
discharge periods today
• PSP enables access to
incremental revenue streams
through participation in local
ancillary services markets
to integrate intermittent renewable energy into the power grid
R E N E W A B L E S Y S T E M S
Hydro Pumped
C A S E S T U D Y 0 1
Gaildorf, Germany
Four 3.4–137 wind
turbines with integrated
water reservoirs; at base
16 MW capacity pump
storage
Cooperation with Max
Boegl for towers and
EPC capabilities
Intermittent wind and
PSP as reliable baseload
power source
C A S E S T U D Y 0 2
Gilboa, Israel
Two GE 150 MW Pump
Turbines for Pumped
Storage
GE in charge of O&M
for 20 years
Israel’s first
Pumped Storage
plant; expected
commissioning 2018
so l ut i ons
Limmern pumped storage plant (Linthal, Switzerland).
so l ut i ons
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