European pumped hydro storage expanding, supplying energy storage & stability for wind

Flexibility spells reliability
With wind power capacity growing, Austrian utility Vorarlberger Illwerke needed to ensure the reliability of the network. The solution was to construct Kops II, one of the world’s most advanced pumped storage hydropower plants.

Network challenge
In Europe, there is an increasing demand for pumped storage hydropower plants and other energy storage solutions in order to meet peak demand requirements and to ensure network stability. In particular, the rapid growth of wind energy has made network reinforcement a priority.

In Germany, over 15 000 MW of wind capacity has been installed. These wind farms operate well in good wind conditions. However, if the wind suddenly becomes too strong, many of the rotors go into the ‘sail’ position simultaneously and the network falls short. This power must be rapidly replaced to avoid fluctuations in network frequency.

Kops II has therefore been designed to be extremely flexible in terms of network regulation, and it is this feature which will make it one of the most modern and technically advanced pumped storage power plants in the world. Due to its quickly adjustable generating sets, Kops II can rapidly feed large amounts of power into the network, or take power from it. The plant can switch quickly between turbine mode, pump operation or back-to-back hydraulic mode, depending on network needs, to safeguard the grid against power failures and fluctuations

Siân Green

In November 2004, an official ceremony marked the start of construction of a new pumped storage hydropower plant in Austria. By 2008, construction will be complete and Kops II - a 450 MW high-head plant - will be supplying power to the grid to meet peak load and ensure network stability.

Situated in the Montafon area in Vorarlberg, Austria, Kops II is being constructed by Austrian utility Vorarlberger Illwerke AG. Kops II will use some of the infrastructure of the existing, 35-year old Kops pumped storage hydropower plant, yet will be one of the most advanced power stations of its kind and will be instrumental in ensuring the reliability of the region’s power grid for years to come.

http://pepei.pennnet.com/display_article/235387/17/ARTCL/none/none/1/Flexibility-spells-reliability/