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Pumped storage power stations collect energy by pumping water from lower levels to higher levels, and generate electricity when needed by the power system. They can effectively regulate the dynamic balance between production and supply in the power system.

In order to leverage the dynamic regulation role of pumped storage power stations and effectively alleviate the problems of power shortage, wind and light abandonment in the western and northern regions of China, State Grid Corporation of China recently announced the official construction of six pumped storage power stations, located in Yixian, Hebei, Zhirui, Inner Mongolia, Ninghai, Zhejiang, Jinyun, Henan, Luoning, Pingjiang, Hunan, and other places. The total investment of six projects is 52.4 billion yuan, with a total installed capacity of 8.4 million kilowatts. All of them are planned to be completed and put into operation in 2026.

"In recent years, the pace of power supply structure adjustment in China has accelerated, especially the rapid expansion of wind power, photovoltaic and other new energy power, which puts forward higher requirements for the flexible adjustment ability of the power system." Liu Baohua, deputy director of the National Energy Administration, said that pumped storage power stations are the most economical large-scale energy storage facilities at present, and good construction and dispatching operation are conducive to better use of new energy resources, It is conducive to improving the comprehensive efficiency of the power system. Six pumped storage power stations have started construction one after another, and new energy consumption has welcomed good news

The six newly built pumped storage power stations have significant economic, social, and environmental benefits:

Improve the overall economic efficiency of the system, promote energy conservation, emission reduction, and air pollution prevention and control. After the project is put into operation, it can achieve joint and coordinated operation with wind and solar power generation in the western and northern regions through long-distance transmission channels, reduce unit shutdowns, promote the consumption of surplus wind and solar power generation of 13.3 billion kilowatt hours annually, and effectively alleviate the problems of power shortage, wind and solar power abandonment in the western and northern regions.

Optimize the local power structure and alleviate the pressure of system peak shaving and frequency regulation. At present, the power structure of Hebei, Inner Mongolia, and Henan is mainly based on thermal power units, and the system peak shaving mainly relies on coal-fired thermal power. There is a significant difference in hydropower output between Zhejiang and Hunan during the dry season, and the system's regulation capacity is relatively tight during the dry season. The construction of a batch of pumped storage power stations such as Yixian in Hebei can effectively improve the system's regulation capacity, while also meeting the increasing peak shaving demand of wind and solar power generation in the eastern and central regions, providing favorable conditions for the large-scale development of new energy in the local area.

Improve the safety and reliability of the power system, and fully utilize the functions of "stabilizer", "regulator", and "balancer" in the new generation of power systems. Pumped storage units have convenient start-up and shutdown, rapid response, and play an important role in stabilizing system frequency, providing accident support, and improving power system stability. Taking a pumped storage power plant with a scale of 1.8 million kilowatts as an example, it can transform from full load pumping to full load power generation within 5 minutes, providing a power support capacity of 3.6 million kilowatts.

We will vigorously deepen supply side structural reform, expand employment, increase fiscal revenue, and promote the transformation and upgrading of the equipment manufacturing industry. Pumped storage power stations and other power grid infrastructure have the advantages of large investment, long construction cycle, strong driving force, and significant medium to long-term economic benefits. According to investment estimates, the six power stations can drive GDP growth of over 70.7 billion yuan, increase the output value of the electrical equipment manufacturing industry by 11.2 billion yuan, and provide approximately 170000 job opportunities.

Kou Wei, General Manager of State Grid Corporation of China, stated that in the past five years, State Grid has started construction of 21 pumped storage power station projects, with an installed capacity of 30.15 million kilowatts; Five pumped storage power stations have been put into operation with an installed capacity of 6.1 million kilowatts.

With the rapid development of new energy sources such as wind power and solar power generation, it is inevitable to require the synchronous enhancement of system regulation capabilities and guarantee measures. At present, the installed capacity of pumped storage in China accounts for less than 2% of the electricity installed capacity, which is far from meeting the needs of system development. Liu Baohua said that the national 13th Five Year Plan for energy and electricity requires accelerating the construction of pumped storage power stations, and it is clear that during the 13th Five Year Plan period, the new pumped storage capacity will be around 60 million kilowatts, and by 2020, the operating capacity of pumped storage in China will reach 40 million kilowatts.