The production of electricity from green sources continues to grow. Among these, hydroelectric power remains the most widespread, with innovative plants around the world, such as pumped storage plants, which act as real rechargeable “water batteries”. Currently, hydroelectric plants are categorized into three main types. Let’s explore each in more detail.
Run-of-river hydroelectric plants
Run-of-river hydroelectric plants use the natural flow of a watercourse set across two levels. These facilities are located near rivers or streams, where the water is partially or fully channeled into a reservoir without the use of pressurized pipelines. From the reservoir, the water flows through a canal to a lower point, where it reaches the turbines. As it flows through the turbines, the water drives the blades, generating energy. This type of hydroelectric power is ideal for locations where water flow remains relatively stable year-round, offering an eco-friendly option with minimal environmental impact.
Reservoir hydroelectric plants
Reservoir plants, also known as impoundment or high-head plants, use elevation differences to generate power. These facilities rely on a natural lake or an artificial reservoir, created by damming a river gorge, to store large amounts of water. From the dam, pressurized pipelines carry the water downhill, where a settling basin slows it before reintroducing it into the river’s natural flow. The ability to store significant volumes of water allows for more flexible energy production management, enabling adjustments to the water release and, consequently, the amount of energy produced according to actual demand.
Pumped-Storage hydroelectric plants
Also known as storage plants, these facilities use two reservoirs positioned at different elevations, with the lower reservoir acting as an energy reserve. During periods of low demand, water is pumped from the lower reservoir to the upper one, using the same turbines that generate energy when the water flows back down. This system allows energy to be stored as water, making it available during peak demand times. In this way, pumped-storage plants function as “rechargeable batteries,” ready for use at any time. They can also integrate with renewable sources like wind and solar, absorbing excess energy produced and releasing it when needed, thereby supporting grid stability and maximizing the use of intermittent sources.
