![](https://images.hive.blog/768x0/https://cleantechnica.com/files/2022/01/Pumped-Hydro-NREL.png)
Source
We have already commented on this blog several times on the need to develop forms of energy storage in order to make rational use of the energy obtained by intermittent systems that depend on factors that we cannot control, such as the energy obtained through solar panels or wind turbines dependent of the wind.
Ya hemos comentado en este blog varias veces la necesidad de desarrollar formas de almacenamiento de energía para poder hacer un uso racional de la energía obtenida por sistemas intermitentes que dependen de factores que no podemos controlar como puede ser la energía obtenida mediante placas solares o aerogeneradores dependientes del viento.
For the proper functioning of the electrical network, experts must be able to achieve a balance between energy supply and demand, the tighter this balance, the less chance of overload or shortage the system will have, so having energy storage systems long-term energy is very important.
Para el buen funcionamiento de la red eléctrica los expertos deben ser capaces de conseguir un equilibrio entre la oferta y la demanda de energía, cuanto más ajustado este equilibrio menos posibilidades de sobrecarga o de escasez tendrá el sistema por lo que disponer de sistemas de almacenamiento de energía a largo plazo es muy importante.
![](https://images.hive.blog/768x0/https://forococheselectricos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Tesla-Powerwall.png)
Source
The use of batteries to achieve this balance has already been amply demonstrated, especially for the supply of energy in homes and small businesses, but there is a much more effective solution and one that has already been used for the last 100 years, it is the storage of energy by method called pumped electrical energy.
El uso de baterías para conseguir este equilibrio ya ha sido sobradamente demostrado, sobre todo para el abastecimiento de energía en hogares y pequeños negocios pero existe una solución mucho más efectiva y que ya se ha venido usando los últimos 100 años, se trata del almacenamiento de energía por método llamado de energía eléctrica bombeada.
To mount this system we need two water reservoirs at different heights, when there is excess energy the water is pumped to the upper reservoir where it is stored, when there is more energy demand than supply the water from this reservoir is allowed to flow downhill through of turbines obtaining energy in the process.
Para montar este sistema necesitamos dos reservorios de agua a distintas alturas, cuando hay exceso de energía el agua es bombeada hasta el reservorio superior donde se almacena, cuando hay más demanda de energía que oferta el agua de este depósito se deja fluir cuesta abajo a través de turbinas obteniendo energía en el proceso.
![](https://images.hive.blog/768x0/https://ultimocero.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/bg2.png)
Source
According to experts, for a hydroelectric pumping system, only two water reservoirs with a height difference between 200 and 800 meters interconnected with pipes are needed, these can be done using natural systems such as rivers and lakes, but if we do not want to disturb the aquaculture fauna, It can even be done by taking advantage of old open pit mining operations.
Según los expertos para un sistema hidroeléctrico de bombeo solo se necesitan dos reservorios de agua con una diferencia de altura entre 200 y 800 metros interconectados con tuberías, estos pueden hacerse utilizando sistemas naturales como ríos y lagos pero si tampoco queremos molestar a la fauna acuícola se puede hacer incluso aprovechando viejas explotaciones mineras a cielo abierto.
The advantages of this energy storage system compared to conventional batteries are, on the one hand, the storage capacity and, more importantly, the fact that this energy can be stored for long periods of time if a system such as small floating objects are used to trap moist air and prevent evaporation.
Las ventajas de este sistema de almacenamiento de energía frente a las baterías convencionales son por un lado la capacidad de almacenamiento y lo que es más importante, el echo de que esta energía puede ser almacenada durante largos periodos de tiempo si se utiliza algún sistema como pequeños objetos flotantes que atrapan la humedad del aire y evitan la evaporación.
More information/Más información
https://cleantechnica.com/2022/01/20/pumped-hydro-provides-vast-majority-of-energy-storage-for-renewables/
Saludos @mauromar, un procedimiento algo antiguo pero efectivo y si es combinado con algo de tecnología e ingenio se puede mejorar.
Hola @mauromar, este método debe ser muy bueno ya que tiene una centuria siendo utilizado y todavía es útil.
![09.jpg](https://images.hive.blog/DQmTpiD9JGb5W2gbBmxeCo1hy4tHcGASgo64MW1NZyV1Wxj/09.jpg)
I think it is a good project, but its financial cost is a big challenge, not forgetting the environmental problems
There are already lots of projects around the globe using pumped hydro as a storage strategy. Probably right now is the only method technologically mature enough for storing big quantities of energy. China and US are the countries with biggest installed capacity, but many way smaller european countries have developed many projects and are among the 10 biggest installed capacity..
Probably the size of the infrastructure and its environmental and local impact will be a limiting factor. I hope we can see soon new methods like the hydrogen or compressed gas based technologies.
Nice article @mauromar , although pumped hydro looks like a technology from the past, storage itself is a very present debate.
This is definitely something I want to do in the future, for my own personal energy needs.. some type of hydro. Ideally there is some natural running water source (river), but it's nice to see also that there are other options like this. :)