Pumped-storage hydroelectricity

A method of storing energy by pumping water to an elevated reservoir and later releasing it through turbines to generate electricity. It stores energy as gravitational potential energy in the raised water.

Pumped-storage power plant: A hydroelectric facility that pumps water between reservoirs and generates electricity by releasing it through turbines. Its pumps, reservoirs, conduits, and turbines form the physical system that performs storage and generation.
Load balancing: The matching of electricity supply to changing demand over time. Pumped storage can absorb surplus electricity and generate during periods of high demand.
Battery energy storage: The storage of electrical energy in rechargeable electrochemical cells. Batteries can respond quickly and be sited flexibly, while pumped storage depends on suitable reservoirs and terrain.
Reservoir: A natural or artificial body of stored water held for uses such as supply, irrigation, or power generation. Pumped-storage plants depend on reservoirs whose capacity and elevation difference shape their performance.
Reversible pump-turbine: A hydraulic machine designed to operate as both a pump and a turbine. It moves water uphill while charging and drives a generator while discharging.
Peak shaving: Reducing the highest levels of electricity demand by shifting or reducing consumption. Stored water can supply power during demand peaks, reducing the need for other peak capacity.
Compressed-air energy storage: Energy storage that uses electricity to compress air for later expansion through a generator system. It stores energy in pressurized air rather than elevated water.
Environmental impact of dams: The ecological and social effects of constructing and operating dams and their reservoirs. New reservoirs and altered water flows can affect habitats, landscapes, and nearby communities.
Gravitational potential energy: Energy associated with an object's position in a gravitational field. The height of the stored water determines the energy available for later generation.
Frequency regulation: The adjustment of power supply or demand to keep an electricity grid's frequency near its target. Rapid changes in pumping or generation can help balance short-term grid fluctuations.

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