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- Pumped Storage
Dynamic Modeling of Full Converter Adjustable-speed Pumped Storage Hydropower (FC AS-PSH)
Lead Companies
NREL
Lead Researcher (s)
- Ed Muljadi
Full converter adjustable-speed pumped storage hydropower (FC AS-PSH) technology, as one of advanced-PSH technology, is developed from wind turbine technology. By making the synchronous machine connect to the grid through a full-size converter, FC AS-PSH has a wider adjustment range of speed and a better reactive power control capability compared with a doubly-fed asynchronous generator AS-PSH technology. When it plays as an energy backup in the power system, FC AS-PSH can provide a much faster response than conventional-PSH (C-PSH) which makes this technology provide better ancillary service for a high renewable penetrated system. In this paper, the dynamic modeling of FC AS-PSH is fully studied. We develop a detailed model of this technology in the IEEE 14-bus system based on GE Positive Sequence Load Flow (PSLF) platform. Especially, the first governor model is developed based on the Engineer’s Program Control Language (EPCL) user-defined model in this platform. All operation modes are validated and studied under a system contingency. Besides, comparison cases between FC AS-PSH and C-PSH are studied to show advantages providing from FC AS-PSH when it works with renewable energy.
Technology Application
Pumped Storage
Research Category
Research Sub-Category
Status
complete
Completion Date
2021
- Pumped Storage
Energy Storage Technology and Cost Characterization Report [HydroWIRES]
Lead Companies
PNNL
Lead Researcher (s)
- Vincent Sprenkle, Vincent.sprenkle@pnnl.gov
As part of the “Valuation Guidance and Techno-Economic Studies for Pumped Storage Hydropower” project, this report defines and evaluates cost and performance parameters of six battery energy storage system (BESS) technologies and four non-BESS storage technologies. Data for combustion turbines are also presented. Cost information was procured for the most recent year for which data were available based on an extensive literature review, conversations with vendors and stakeholders, and summaries of actual costs provided from specific projects at sites across the United States. Detailed cost and performance estimates were presented for 2018 and projected out to 2025. Technology Application
Pumped Storage
Research Category
Interconnect Integration and Markets
Research Sub-Category
Markets
Status
ongoing
Completion Date
TBD
- Pumped Storage
Furthering Advancements to Shorten Time (FAST) Commissioning for Pumped-Storage Hydropower Prize: [HydroWIRES]
Lead Companies
ANL
Lead Researcher (s)
- Vladimir Koritarov, koritarov@anl.gov
Today’s electricity system is changing rapidly and hydropower and PSH have an essential role in contributing to the resilience, reliability, and affordability of the US power system. PSH is by far the largest source of energy storage on the grid, and it will play a key role in supporting increased integration of variable generation resources. But large capital investments and long lead times for PSH commissioning are deterrents to would-be developers and utilities. The goal of the prize is to catalyze new solutions, designs, and strategies to accelerate PSH development by reducing the time, cost and risk to commission PSH. In fall 2019, four technology developer teams were selected to receive cash prizes as well as national lab technical assistance to further develop their ideas. Learn more at: Technology Application
Pumped Storage
Research Category
Powerhouse Equipment
Research Sub-Category
Turbine
Status
ongoing
Completion Date
TBD
- Pumped Storage
Hydraulic Design and Optimization of a Modular Pump-turbine Runner
Lead Companies
Lehigh University
Lead Researcher (s)
- William Schleicher
A novel modular pumped-storage scheme is investigated that uses elevated water storage towers and cement pools as the upper and lower reservoirs. The scheme serves a second purpose as part of the wastewater treatment process, providing multiple benefits besides energy storage. A small pumped-storage scheme has been shown to be a competitive energy storage solution for micro renewable energy grids; however, pumpedstorage schemes have not been implemented on scales smaller than megawatts. Off-theshelf runner designs are not available for modular pumped-storage schemes, so a custom runner design is sought. A preliminary hydraulic design for a pump-turbine runner is examined and optimized for increased pumping hydraulic efficiency using a response surface optimization methodology. The hydraulic pumping efficiency was found to have improved by 1.06% at the best efficiency point, while turbine hydraulic efficiency decreased by 0.70% at the turbine best efficiency point. The round-trip efficiency for the system was estimated to be about 78%, which is comparable to larger pumped-storage schemes currently in operation.
Technology Application
Pumped Storage
Research Category
Powerhouse Pump
Research Sub-Category
Turbine
Status
complete
Completion Date
2015
- Pumped Storage
Hydropower Valuation Guidance and Research Program Review
Lead Companies
PNNL
Lead Researcher (s)
- Patrick Balducci
The objective of this project is to advance the state of the art in assessing the value of PSH plants and their contributions to the power system. The specific goal is to develop a detailed, step-by-step valuation guidebook that PSH developers, plant owners or operators, and other stakeholders can use to assess the value of existing or potential new PSH projects.
Technology Application
Pumped Storage
Research Category
Interconnect Integration and Markets
Research Sub-Category
Renewable Integration
Status
ongoing
Completion Date
TBD
- Pumped Storage
Improved Cost Estimates To Boost Pumped Storage Hydropower Construction
Lead Companies
NREL
Lead Researcher (s)
- Daniel Inman
Pumped storage hydropower (PSH) facilities are like large batteries that use water and gravity. They can store up to 12 hours' worth of clean, renewable energy and send that power to the grid the moment it’s needed (for comparison, batteries provide about 4 hours of energy storage). As the United States' power grid evolves, receiving more variable clean energy sources, like solar power and wind energy, PSH plants could play a key role in ensuring that the grid is not only carbon-free but also reliable and resilient. Today, PSH is often overlooked in future grid planning efforts, in part because the cost to build a new facility is not always clear. That’s why the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), along with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office, is developing improved cost estimates and cost models to reduce that uncertainty and give developers the data they need to decide where and when to construct new PSH facilities to support the country’s evolving energy grid."
Technology Application
Pumped Storage
Research Category
Technology
Research Sub-Category
Status
complete
Completion Date
2022
- Conventional Hydro
Innovative Outreach and Engagement Approaches
Lead Companies
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Lead Researcher (s)
- Shannon Bates
This project focuses on innovative outreach and engagement approaches that can be applied to all waterpower projects (marine and hydropower) within the WPTO portfolio.
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro, Marine Energy, Pumped Storage, Small or Non Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Research Sub-Category
Status
ongoing
Completion Date
TBD
- Pumped Storage
Life Cycle Assessment of Pumped Hydropower Storage [HydroWIRES]
Lead Companies
NREL
Lead Researcher (s)
- Daniel Inman, Daniel.inman@nrel.gov
Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an internationally accepted method for making consistent comparisons among technologies providing the same service based on environmental metrics. LCAs utilize similar inputs as techno-economic analysis (TEA). Traditionally, energy generation technologies have been evaluated through LCA, and in recent years, some energy storage technologies have likewise been evaluated, like pumped storage hydropower. However, with newer forms of energy storage being built, like closed-loop PSH, there is a need for detailed assessment of life cycle environmental impacts of them in a consistent manner to other storage technologies and to TEAs. With advice from an expert review panel, NREL will develop a novel LCA of closed-loop pumped storage hydropower leveraging extant TEAs to inform stakeholders and decision makers such as DOE, ISOs, non-government organizations, and other researchers on credible, objective environmental indicators such as life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, material demands, and net energy that can be fairly and commensurately compared to other storage technologies.
Technology Application
Pumped Storage
Research Category
Interconnect Integration and Markets
Research Sub-Category
Future Grid
Status
ongoing
Completion Date
TBD
- Pumped Storage
Modeling and Optimizing Pumped Storage in a Multi-stage Large Scale Electricity Market under Portfolio Evolution [HydroWIRES]
Lead Companies
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Lead Researcher (s)
- Rui Bo, rbo@mst.edu
PSH plants have been traditionally designed and used for large scale, daily energy arbitrage, but technological developments and changes to grid needs are making flexible operation more prevalent. Market participation models for PSH have not kept up with these changes, which means that the range of energy and ancillary services that PSH plants can provide are not being optimally allocated. The proposed work aims to develop a prototype enhanced PSH model for incorporation into MISO’s multi-stage market clearing process with proper consideration of the unique characteristics of PSH. Technology Application
Pumped Storage
Research Category
Interconnect Integration and Markets
Research Sub-Category
Markets
Status
ongoing
Completion Date
TBD
Don’t see your waterpower research?
Have questions about WaRP?
Contact Marla Barnes at: marla@hydro.org