RES: Αντλησιοταμίευση generators are variable speed in the swiss Alps

A unit αντλησιοταμίευσης in the swiss Alps has a power capacity of 1450 Megawatts, and is an interesting innovation in the…
storage of energy.
The generation of electricity is done by releasing water from the Lake Mut which is located at an altitude of 2.480 m above the surface of the sea. The water flows in a valley at the foot of mountain, 600 meters lower, where moving rigs suck with a variable-speed General Electric. The system flow a total of 87 billion litres of water.
When the demand for electricity is reduced, then the energy surpluses that can be produced by non-flexible or stochastic energy sources such as wind parks – are pumped back to the Lake Mut where they are stored in the form of water at an altitude of.
The unit αντλησιοταμίευσης with the name Λίνταλ is the first in the world that has generators with a variable-speed GE, a technology with an efficiency of the operating cycle reaches 80%.
These generators interrupt and start the function automatically, which allows the optimization of the efficiency of the system.
A representative of GE, described the system as a gigantic natural battery, and stated that “the Λίνταλ is the first system with a variable-speed GE connected to the network and gives a new impulse to the sector of hydroelectric energy. With the technology of variable speed, GE shows that the hydro energy is undoubtedly the most reliable source of renewable energy in the network. The hydro energy can be made more flexible and other RES technologies such as photovoltaics and wind” he explained.
With regard to the cost of the investment, according to Axpo, the company that manages the unit, this amounts to 1.9 billion. Euro. But they have not made public information on the megawatt hours that can produce the unit in a given period of time.
GE will install the same technology in a corresponding unit αντλησιοταμίευσης in Switzerland with the project, Nan de Ντρανς and the unit Τεχρί in India.
The village Λίνταλ where is installed the system has 1,000 inhabitants.
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