Pumped-Storage Plants Could Be Built in Two Counties to Exploit Renewables

Markaz (northern Hungary), one of the possible locations

At present, pumped-storage plants are the solution for balancing weather-dependent technologies, according to an expert interviewed by Magyar Nemzet. In Austria, there are several such plants, while in Hungary a pumped-storage plant could be built in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén and Heves counties.

In order to achieve security of supply, competitiveness, and climate protection goals, it is essential to develop not only nuclear power plants but also solar power plants, which are mainly weather-dependent renewables, while from a security of supply and system management perspective, a significant increase in storage capacity is needed, said Zsolt Hárfás, a nuclear energy engineer. He added that

there are 6,100 megawatts (MW) of domestic and industrial solar power capacity in Hungary, which is why the government is also supporting the development of storage capacity for domestic solar power plants.

The expert explained that on an industrial scale, pumped-storage plants are widely used to control the natural and continuous fluctuations in the output of weather-dependent renewables, and are by far the most efficient way of storing energy today.

Austria is at the forefront in the construction and operation of this technology due to its geographical location. There are currently more than 3,000 small and large plants supplying the national grid. Among these is the Kaprun Limberg II pumped-storage power plant at an altitude of 2,040 meters above sea level, playing a key role in the generation and control of electricity in Austria. The upper reservoir is at an altitude of 2,036 meters and the lower reservoir at 1,672 meters above sea level. The former has a storage capacity of 85 million cubic meters of water, and the latter 81 million cubic meters.

The principle of operation is that when, for example, strong winds blow at night and there is a higher amount of wind power available but less electricity demand, this excess electricity is used to pump water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir. During periods of higher electricity demand or when electricity is more expensive, the system operators drain the water, which is used to generate electricity to power the turbines and the generators connected to them. The power generating equipment is located in the mountain, where a whole power plant system is in operation.

In Hungary, MVM is already looking into the construction of a pumped-storage power plant which, if built, will be able to regulate the overproduction of weather-dependent renewables within days, thereby reducing the import exposure, already posing risks to supply and national security.

According to the Ministry of Energy, exploratory drilling for the construction of a pumped-storage power plant has already started soon after obtaining permits in two possible sites in Borsod and Heves counties, in the area of Sajóivánka and Markaz villages (both in northern Hungary), and the results will be included in the feasibility study to be completed this year. This will allow concrete decisions to be made on the establishment of the facilities.

Realistically, the investment could start in 2025 or 2026, and take seven to eight years.

The first such power plant in Hungary could have a capacity of 600 MW and could operate for six hours in power generation mode. When completed, it will further improve domestic security of supply, as the technology will be able to control generation and reduce the frequency of imports.

Via Magyar Nemzet; Featured image via Facebook/Alexa utazásai és kirándulásai