To date, most global and domestic pumped-storage hydropower (PSH) development has focused on the construction of large (greater than 100 megawatts), site-customized plants. Industry and the research community have actively discussed the viability of alternative design paradigms for PSH technologies. This project aimed to analytically determine the technological feasibility and potential economic viability of modularizing the design of PSH units. This project aimed to produce (1) a rough characterization of the resource that can be tapped by modular PSH; (2) the design and cost characteristics of modularized design; (3) the current business case; and (4) a general evaluation of cost-reduction opportunities (if modular PSH appears feasible).
