The new hydro revolution is powered by technology that works like giant batteries.
Pumped storage hydro stores renewable energy and releases it onto the grid and into homes when required.
Why is it needed?
The amount of electricity generated from renewables in the UK has increased three-fold over the last decade. Due to its intermittent nature, the rise in renewable generation has resulted in increased demand for flexible capacity to help meet energy balancing requirements for the national grid system, Intelligent Land Investments said.
As the move towards renewables continues, having a steady supply of clean, home-grown energy, will "strengthen the UK's energy independence, and protect consumers from volatile global gas markets".
How will the new UK Government support mechanism help?
Barriers including high upfront costs – despite low operating costs – have held back investment in the infrastructure.
READ MORE:
- Part one: 'Vast potential unlocked' as Scotland powers towards new hydro energy revolution
- Plans for major Scottish hydro energy plant submitted
- Energy giant hails milestone in Highland pumped storage project
The investment support scheme announced today will "boost investor confidence and unlock billions in funding for vital projects which will help create thousands of jobs and deliver clean power as the country accelerates to net zero". The move is described as a
How does it work?
Pumped storage is a way of storing energy by turning electrical energy into stored energy and back again to electrical energy. The system uses electricity to pump water from a lower reservoir to a higher reservoir.
This cycle of pumping and generating repeats on a daily basis as required. Pumped storage utilises excess generated electricity when consumer demand is low and generates electricity when demand requires.
How is it currently used?
Great Britain currently has 2.8 gigawatts of long duration energy storage across four existing pumped storage hydro schemes in Scotland, at Hollow Mountain in Cruachan and Foyers, and Wales, which already play a "significant role in powering the country".
Analysis has found that deploying 20 gigawatts could save the electricity system £24 billion between 2025 and 2050, reducing household energy bills as additional cheaper renewable energy would be available to meet demand at peak times, which would cut reliance on expensive natural gas.
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