Developments and characteristics of pumped storage power station in China

Pumped-storage can quickly and flexibly respond to adjust the grid fluctuation and keep the grid stability because of its various functions. Besides, it is an effective power storing tool and now it has become the largest and most widely used energy storage form. Many countries configured a certain proportion of pumped storage power in the network to keep their grid stability. This paper introduces the current development status of the pumped storage power (PSP) station in some different countries based on their own economic demands and network characteristics. Then the evolutions of the pumped-storage power station in China are focus reviewed. To provide better technical support for future PSP development, the typical features of the PSP in plant design, construction, operations, and economic evaluation are described in detail compared with the conventional hydropower plant. The difficulties and challenges of the pumped storage technology faced in China are also summarized and the future development directions are prospected.