Georgia pumped hydropower storage project plant operation announcement

When did Georgia Power start construction?

After Georgia Power applied for a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license to operate the plant in 1972, they began to carry out design studies and plans for land acquisition. Construction on the project began in 1977 after the FERC license was granted. The initial phase included the tunnels, penstocks, roads and bridges.

How does a pumped storage hydropower project work?

Pumped storage hydropower projects use electricity to store potential energy by moving water between an upper and lower reservoir. Using electricity from the grid to pump water from a lower elevation, PSH creates potential energy in the form of water stored at an upper elevation, which is why it is often referred to as a “water battery”.

What is pumped storage hydropower (PSH)?

U.S. DOE (2018) “Global Energy Storage Database Projects.” Pumped storage hydropower (PSH) long has played an important role in America’s reliable electricity landscape. The first PSH plant in the U.S. was constructed nearly 100 years ago. Like many traditional hydropower projects, PSH provides the flexible storage inherent in reservoirs.

What is the current state of pumped storage hydropower technology?

Although pumped storage hydropower (PSH) has been around for many years, the technology is still evolving. At present, many new PSH concepts and technologies are being proposed or actively researched. This study performs a landscape analysis to establish the current state of PSH technology and identify promising new concepts and innovations.

When should Pondage Hydro and pumped-hydro storage be scheduled?

Other clean energy resources like pondage hydro and pumped-hydro storage can be scheduled to provide their clean energy when it is the most valuable, both for reliability and for emission reduction purposes.

How does a pumped-storage power plant work?

As a pumped-storage power plant, it uses two reservoirs to produce electricity and store energy. The upper reservoir stores water (energy) for periods when electricity demand is high. During these periods, water from the upper reservoir is released down to the power plant to produce hydroelectricity.