Pumped Storage Hydroelectric (PSH) is a proven form of energy storage for electric utilities. There are over 150 plants with 22,000 MW capacity in United States and 78,000 MW of PSH installed worldwide. No PSH plant interconnected directly with a wind farm has been constructed to date.
Pumped storage hydroelectricity is a method of storing and producing electricity to supply high peak demands by pumping water to a reservoir at a higher elevation during off-peak periods and producing electricity using flowing water during on-peak periods.Several natural geological features are needed, including adequate close land areas divided by adequate elevation. There must also be an adequate water supply, though in some cases the lower reservoir is the ocean and sea water is used.
Studies have explored the possibilities of PSH on at Koko Crater and Kaau Crater; on Hawaii Island at Puu Waawaa and Puu Anahulu in North Kona, Puu Enuhe in Kau and at Kaupulehu/Kukio. On Maui, sites for PSH have been considered at Maalaea, Honokowai in the Kaanapali area, Kohama near Lahaina and upcountry at Ulupalakua
PSH Challenges include siting, permitting, water availability, cost and the long lead time for development.
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