Why in news
- The Central Electricity Authority outlined long-term energy storage targets projecting 26.69 GW of Pumped Storage Projects by 2031–32.
Key terms
Pumped Storage Hydropower
Hydroelectric energy storage system using upper and lower reservoirs to balance grid power demand.
BESS
Battery Energy Storage Systems using electro-chemical cells to store and dispatch electricity rapidly.
Grid Inertia
Kinetic energy stored in rotating generators that stabilizes the frequency of the power grid against sudden disruptions.
Curtailment
Intentional reduction of electricity output from generators when grid capacity or demand is insufficient.
What is Pumped Storage Hydropower?
- A configuration of two water reservoirs at different elevations that acts as a large-scale mechanical 'water battery'.
- Pumps water from the lower to the upper reservoir using cheap off-peak or excess renewable electricity, releasing it through turbines to generate power during peak demand.
Grid Balancing and Capacity Targets
- Central Electricity Authority (CEA) projects 73.93 GW of total energy storage requirement by 2031–32.
- Target distribution consists of 26.69 GW from Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) and 47.24 GW from Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
- Provides inertia and grid-stabilization services necessary to integrate India's target of 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030.
Why it matters
- Offers long-duration energy storage (LDES) with significantly lower life-cycle carbon footprints than chemical batteries.
- Mitigates renewable curtailment by converting excess midday solar power into potential hydro energy.
Prelims facts
- Pumped storage systems function as net consumers of electricity overall due to pumping friction losses but provide high-value peak power.
- CEA projects total storage capacity requirements of 73.93 GW by 2031–32.
Mains discussion
- Evaluating the structural and environmental advantages of PSPs over lithium-based BESS for long-duration grid storage.
- Policy interventions needed to de-risk clearance hurdles for off-river closed-loop pumped storage projects.
Source: PIB
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