133. Pumped Storage Projects – Relevance and Future

Small amount of power can be stored in a battery cell however for bulk power management the storage of electricity is not possible. Power system is an on line production, transmission and distribution system. Due to this, matching of demand and supply of electricity is the most intricate technology and thus requires detailed techno commercial study of various available power options and their optimum combinations. An ideal power system has a mix of Conventional hydro and thermal power plants. Out of these, thermal plants take care of the base load and hydro plants meet the requirement of peak load. In case conventional type hydro power is not available then the other alternatives for peak load are pumped storage projects or gas based projects. When natural petroleum gas is also not viable for the peak demand then pumped storage project is the alternative and an ideal solution. To have something when you need it most is the basis to shape our thinking pattern towards development of Pumped Storage Projects. This paper encapsulates the following: Working concept of Pumped storage projects; Comparison of Conventional and Pumped Storage Projects; Relevance of Pumped Storage projects; A case study depicting Congenial environment and consequently deriving feasibility of Pumped Storage Schemes in West Bengal. Futuristic Aspects covering need of greater emphasis on the development of Pumped Storage schemes, probable approaches and direction keeping future in the view, are visualized in a new light.