Engineering-economic design basis of pumped-storage stations

Conclusions

• 1. Peak-load pumped-storage stations are or should be a component of each well-developed power system, even with a considerable proportion of hydroelectric capacity.

• 2. The pumped-storage station capacity should amount to not less than 5–8% of the maximum load at the daily peak.

• 3. On a power system with predominantly thermal generation, the pumped-storage station is economically justified, even with specific capital investment for construction somewhat higher than the equivalent thermal power station.

• 4. Since the need for constructing pumped-storage stations has been demonstrated, these stations should be considered not as a convenience for the power system but as a permanent component subject to constant development like base-load thermal power, nuclear power, or hydroelectric stations.