Is Pumped Storage related to nuclear energy?

Import

In today’s era, the need for reliable and clean energy is becoming increasingly urgent. Pumped storage and nuclear power are two technologies that are often mentioned in discussions about the energy transition. But how do these two technologies relate to each other? Is there a symbiotic relationship that could provide solutions to today’s energy challenges?

What is pumped storage?

Pumped storage is an energy storage method that uses two water reservoirs at different elevations. During periods of low electricity demand, water is pumped from the lower reservoir to the upper one, thus storing energy in the form of potential energy. During periods of high demand, the water is released and flows back to the lower reservoir, passing through water turbines that generate electricity.

Basic characteristics of pumped storage:

Large storage capacity
Long-term lifespan of facilities
Rapid response to demand fluctuations
High performance (75-85%)
Relatively low operating costs after the initial investment

Nuclear energy: Basic characteristics

Nuclear energy is produced by the controlled fission of atoms, usually uranium, in nuclear reactors. This process releases enormous amounts of heat that is used to produce steam, which in turn drives turbines to produce electricity.

Main characteristics of nuclear energy:

Continuous electricity generation (base load)
Almost zero greenhouse gas emissions during operation
High energy density
Stable production regardless of weather conditions
High capital costs but relatively low fuel costs

The symbiotic relationship between pumped storage and nuclear energy

The relationship between pumped storage and nuclear power is based on complementary characteristics that maximize the advantages of both technologies:

1. Optimization of the operation of nuclear power plants

Nuclear power plants operate optimally when they produce a constant output. Fluctuating output is not technically or economically viable. However, electricity demand varies significantly throughout the day and week.

Pumped storage allows nuclear power plants to operate at constant power, storing excess energy during periods of low demand and releasing it when demand increases. This allows:

Increased utilization rate of nuclear units
Improved financial return on investments
Longer equipment life due to stable operation

2. Addressing the intermittent nature of RES

As the share of renewable energy sources increases in the energy mix, the need for reliable storage systems and baseload becomes more acute. The combination of nuclear power and pumped storage can provide:

Network stability
Backup power for periods of low production from RES
Possibility of greater penetration of RES

3. Environmental benefits of the combination

The combination of the two technologies offers significant environmental advantages:

Low carbon emissions overall in the system
Reducing dependence on fossil fuels to meet peak demand
Optimizing the use of water resources in the case of combined installations

Examples of international cooperation

In several countries, pumped storage and nuclear power already operate complementary:

France

France, with its high share of nuclear energy in its energy mix (around 70%), has developed pumped storage systems to optimize the operation of its nuclear plants. The Grand'Maison system is a prime example that works in synergy with the country's extensive nuclear network.

Switzerland

Switzerland uses pumped storage to optimize its energy mix, which includes nuclear power. Facilities like Limmern allow for efficient management of nuclear generation.

Japan

Before the Fukushima accident, Japan had developed a comprehensive pumped storage system to optimize the operation of its nuclear reactors.

Challenges and limitations

Despite the advantages, there are significant challenges in the combined use of the two technologies:

Geographical restrictions

Pumped storage requires specific geographical conditions (elevation difference, water availability) that do not exist everywhere. This can limit the location options for combined systems.

High cost of capital

Both technologies require significant initial investments, which can be an obstacle to their development, particularly in developing economies.

Social acceptance

Nuclear power faces social acceptance challenges in many countries, while large pumped storage projects may also face resistance due to environmental impacts.

The future of collaboration

Future trends in the relationship between pumped storage and nuclear energy include:

Advanced nuclear reactors

Small modular reactors (SMRs) and fourth-generation reactors are expected to offer greater flexibility, which could further improve cooperation with pumped storage systems.

Integrated energy management systems

Advanced control systems and smart grid technologies will allow for better integration of the two technologies into the overall energy system.

Hybrid solutions

Hybrid systems that combine nuclear power, pumped storage, and renewable sources are being considered as the future of clean energy.

Conclusions

Pumped storage and nuclear power have a symbiotic relationship that can provide solutions to many of the challenges of the modern energy sector. Pumped storage provides the necessary flexibility to nuclear power generation, allowing nuclear plants to operate optimally. At the same time, nuclear power offers a stable, low-carbon source that can power pumped storage systems.

As the world moves towards a low-carbon economy, this combination of technologies could play an important role in the transition to a more sustainable energy future, particularly in regions where geographical conditions allow and there is social acceptance for nuclear energy.