Reversible plants can be differential in renewable energy use

Obtaining electricity from renewable sources is becoming increasingly necessary. The most common example is hydroelectric plants, which account for just over 15% of the world's energy. The problem with this solution is its high cost of implementation, almost always coupled with a large environmental impact in the reservoir formation region.

The two main options, wind and solar generation, have been increasingly economically viable, but they still run into the storage problem. Although technologies are more efficient, it is no use if electricity is not available at night or on windy days.

Natural batteries

The simplest solution would be through the use of large batteries, which would store the electricity produced in times of low demand so that the supply would remain constant throughout the day. Even so, the costs involved in such an operation do not yet make the option viable on a large scale.

One possible solution, analyzed in an article by Professor Andrew Blakers of the National University of Australia (ANU), would be the use of reversible hydropower plants. In them, the electricity produced in periods of less demand from the grid would be used to pump water from one reservoir to another, which would be at a higher level.

Reproduction / Canales et al., 2015.

Thus, during peak periods, the plant would function as a common hydroelectric dam, and in times of low demand water would be transferred back to the upper reservoir, awaiting the new wave of consumption. According to Blakers, this solution was still 5-6 times cheaper compared to long-term battery use.

The researcher also confirms that the method is not as efficient as battery storage, but the low cost of deployment would make the final cost very similar.

Water everywhere

In his research, Blakers analyzed, through satellite information, locations around the world with potential for the installation of reversible hydropower plants. Each yellow dot on the map would produce at least 2 gigawatt hours, enough electricity to power a small town on a windless night.

Reproduction / Matthew Stocks and ANU colleagues

Overall, considering the 500, 000 locations with deployment conditions, the possible installed capacity would be 22 million gigawatt hours, but "only a fraction of that would be needed to maintain a sustainable global energy system, " said Dr. Matthew Stocks., lead author of the study.

There is a long way between assessing the possibility and actually implementing the solution, but studying this solution may be the beginning of a sustainable life on the planet.