Techno-Economics of Variable-Speed Pumped Hydro Energy Storage by Thomas MERCIER

In the midst of the ongoing transformation in power systems driven by the shift to renewable energy, finding effective ways to balance electricity supply and demand is crucial. Energy storage plays a pivotal role in addressing this challenge, and among the established technologies, pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) stands out as the most mature and widespread. There is however still significant untapped potential and room for improvement in PHES, by exploring new sites and adopting innovative technologies further improving the flexibility of this storage type. Within the above-mentioned context, this Ph.D. thesis delves into the techno-economic aspects of PHES, with a specific focus on smaller systems that can operate at variable rotational speed. By examining the economic considerations and technological intricacies of these systems, the present research contributes valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on energy storage solutions in the dynamic landscape of the energy transition.

First, the historical value of electricity storage is assessed on energy markets across the EU-28 countries, Norway, Switzerland, and Turkey. Sensitivity analyses are carried out with respect to the round-trip efficiency and storage duration. The results reveal significant variations in storage value from arbitrage, both geographically and temporally, with round-trip efficiency having a major impact on arbitrage value and storage duration having very low marginal value beyond 4 to 6 hours. Additionally, the impact of variable grid fees on arbitrage value is investigated, in the specific case of Belgium. The valuation results show that grid fees can decrease storage arbitrage value by 20% to 50%, and that they can also dramatically decrease storage participation in energy markets.

Second, PHES systems are introduced together with the cavitation phenomena arising in the hydraulic machine involved in those systems. This specificity of PHES plays a crucial role in shaping the limited operating ranges associated with this technology, while it also explains the benefits of operating at variable rotational speed. While PHES systems have historically been operated at fixed rotational speed, recent advancements in power electronics have opened the door to variable-speed operation. In both new installations and the repowering of existing PHES projects, there is now consideration given to operating one or more units at variable speed. The reader is guided into the technicalities of the variable-speed technology and its benefits are explained and illustrated in the case of three topologies, one of them being an innovative system for small-scale PHES.

Third, the power control possibilities brought by the variable speed are investigated in the case of a system classically relying on a reversible Francis pump-turbine, as well as in the aforementioned innovative case. Modelling and simulations of hydro-electromechanical transients in PHES systems are performed, and illustrate the high electrical dynamics achievable through the variable-speed technology. The innovative small-scale PHES system is pushed one step further with a stability analysis, revealing the limitations associated with a too demanding power control strategy.

Jury members :

• Prof. Emmanuel De Jaeger (UCLouvain, Belgium), supervisor
• Prof. Mathieu Olivier (Université Laval, Canada), supervisor
• Prof. Sandra Soares-Frazao (UCLouvain, Belgium), chairperson
• Prof.  Philippe Chatelain (UCLouvain, Belgium)
• Prof. Guy Dumas (Université Laval, Canada)
• Prof. Zacharie De Grève (UMons, Belgium)

Visio conference :  Join the meeting