A study commissioned by Voith Hydro is prompting German officials to consider pumped-storage hydroelectric power as an important means of short-term energy storage.
Voith Hydro‘s headquarters in Heidenheim recently played host to CDU parliamentary group chairman Peter Hauk from the Baden-Wurttemberg state parliament, who used the visit to learn more about pumped-storage’s ability to provide power security for Germany’s industry.
Hauk’s visit was a response to a Voith-commissioned study by Rheinisch-WEsstfalische Technische Hochschule Aachen (RWTH), which concluded pumped-storage hydropower projects have an important role in Germany’s evolving power generation system.
“Safe and secure energy supplies are the basis for the further economic development of our country,” Hauk said. “In order to make the energy transition a success, we do not only need an expansion of regenerative energies, but also of the networks.
“The further development of the storage facilities is equally important. This is a field where we should also utilize the know-how about pumped-storage technology, which is available especially in Germany.”
Germany is already home to the 1,050-MW Markersbach and 1,060-MW Goldisthal pumped-storage hydropower plants, but is eyeing the construction of additional projects as its wind and solar sectors continue growing.
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