If nuclear fusion becomes a reality and cures all our energy needs, that’s fine. However, until that day, it seems that our search for renewable energy sources will continue. On windy and sunny days, the electricity we produce can meet the electricity we consume, but when the opposite happens, we still have to turn to traditional electricity sources.
Established in the Swiss Alps, the Nant de Drance Hydroelectric Power Station is a new solution developed to store the excess generated energy. It’s not exactly a new idea, but it still works extremely efficiently. When renewable energy sources produce surplus electricity, this electricity is used to pump water from the hydroelectric power station to the Vieux Emosson reservoir upstream. The water collected here is then sent to the hydroelectric power plant below for power generation. 360 cubic meters of water per second pass through the turbines of the power plant.
Because electrical energy is stored in the form of water, this method is called “water cell”. Although it does not seem very efficient, it is important in terms of storing the power that would be wasted. Alain Sauthier, the director of the power plant, said, “As in every storage system, there are leaks in this system, but in the end, there are leaks. “I can say that the system is operating at approximately 80 percent efficiency. In less than ten minutes, we can change the direction of rotation of the turbines and switch from electricity generation to electricity storage. This flexibility means that when the need for electricity or the surplus arises.” It is of great importance in terms of adapting the system accordingly.”
The hydroelectric power station produces electricity not only for Switzerland but also for most of Europe. It is currently operating at full capacity and is one of the largest power plants in Europe.
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