1. What is Pumped Hydro Storage?

Pumped hydro storage is a type of hydroelectric energy storage that stores energy in the form of gravitational potential energy of water, pumped from a lower elevation reservoir to a higher elevation.

2. How Does the Power Calculation Work?

The calculator uses the fundamental hydro power equation:

Where:

• \( P \) — Power output (kW)
• \( \rho \) — Water density (1000 kg/m³)
• \( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s²)
• \( Q \) — Flow rate (m³/s)
• \( H \) — Head height (m)
• \( \eta \) — System efficiency (0-1)

Explanation: The equation calculates the theoretical power available from falling water, accounting for system losses through the efficiency factor.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for designing pumped hydro systems, estimating energy storage capacity, and evaluating project feasibility.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter flow rate in cubic meters per second, head height in meters, and system efficiency as a decimal between 0 and 1 (typical values 0.7-0.9).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is typical efficiency for pumped hydro?
A: Round-trip efficiency typically ranges from 70-85%, accounting for pumping and generation losses.

Q2: How does head height affect power output?
A: Power is directly proportional to head height - doubling the head doubles the power output.

Q3: What are typical flow rates?
A: Large systems may have flow rates of 50-500 m³/s, while smaller systems might be 1-10 m³/s.

Q4: Why is water density important?
A: Density affects the mass flow rate - saltwater systems would have slightly higher density (≈1025 kg/m³).

Q5: How is this different from conventional hydro?
A: The same physics apply, but pumped hydro specifically refers to systems that can pump water back uphill for energy storage.