Energy Storage with Pumped Hydrostorage Systems Under Uncertainty

Abstract

Energy storage is becoming an important problem as the difference between supply and demand becomes sharper and the availability of energy resources is not possible all the time. A pumped hydrostorage system (PHSS) which is a special type of hydroelectric power plant can be used to store energy and to use the water more efficiently. When the energy demand and the energy price are high (peak hours) the water at upper reservoir is used to generate electricity and the water is stored in the lower reservoir. Revenue is gained from the power sale to the market. When the demand and the energy price are low (off-peak hours) the water at lower reservoir is pumped back to the upper reservoir. Cheap electricity is used to pump the water. The hourly market price and water inflow are uncertain. The main objective of a company is to find an operation schedule that will maximize its revenue. The hourly electricity prices and the water inflow to the reservoir are important parameters that determine the operation of the system. In this research we present the working mechanism of the PHSS to store energy and to balance the load changes due to demand.