How can we increase the reliability of renewable energy?

This is not an expirement project as its a reasearched based project and therefore there is no method

1. Related literature study. 2. Create working model of the concept (Pumped Storage Hydropower). 3. Highlight advantages and disadvantages of Pumped Storage Hydropower.

5-5 Kuvira fairview school CYSF

 I chose this project because earlier in semester 1 I learned about energy sources renewable and non-renewable energy. One thing stood out to me, renewable energy was always considered unreliable and I wanted to increase the reliability of renewable energy. I did some more research and it said that there is a way to make one source of renewable energy reliable,the Pumped Storage Hydroelectricity method (PSH)

My method project aims to study and increase awareness about Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) as an energy storage method to increase the reliability of renewable energy.

This method provides a backup for solar and wind power when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining.

Pumped Storage Hydropower is an energy storage method using gravity and water and works like a gigantic water battery.

This system consists of

Two reservoirs of water: one is at a higher elevation and one is at a lower elevation. The reservoirs can be of two types: Open loop where either an upper or lower reservoir that is connected to a naturally flowing water body like a river. Closed loop is an “off river” site that produces energy without it being connected with a natural inflow like a river.

Turbine : when water flowing from upper to lower reservoir spins the turbine it generates electricity.  The size of the turbine depends on how much energy you can generate.

Pump: when water is pumped back up to upper reservoir from lower reservoir.

How is energy stored?

When less electricity is needed, such as at night OR when there is excess energy from wind or solar power plants, a pump moves water from the lower reservoir up to the higher one. This upward flow of water by the pump enables storage of the excess electricity, which can be re-generated by downward flow of the water when needed. The pump uses excess power from solar and wind to work the pump and transfer the water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir

How is energy generated?

When more electricity is needed OR when there is no wind or sunlight, water is allowed to flow from the upper reservoir down to the lower reservoir. This downward flow of water through a hydro-turbine generates electricity. Any extra power can be stored and can be re-generated when needed.