Technical Report: Design and Engineering Principles of a 1 GW

Pumped Storage Hydropower Facility

1. Background, Aims, and Objectives

 Background: Electricity generation in the UK is increasingly reliant

on renewable energy sources. However, the intermittent nature of
renewable resources like wind and solar presents challenges in
maintaining a stable energy supply. Pumped Storage Hydropower
(PSH) has emerged as a solution for balancing supply and demand,
allowing excess renewable energy to be stored and released when
needed.

 Aims: The aim of this project is to design a 1 GW pumped hydro

storage facility that can address energy storage challenges and
contribute to the UK's renewable energy goals.

 Objectives:

1. Develop a schematic design for a pumped hydro storage

facility.

2. Explore mechanical, electrical, chemical, and environmental

engineering principles relevant to the project.

3. Analyze the feasibility, sustainability, and environmental

impact of the project.

2. Methodology

 Design Approach: The design of the 1 GW pumped storage facility

is based on the principles of hydropower storage, utilizing two
reservoirs at different elevations. When electricity demand is low,
excess energy from the grid will be used to pump water from the
lower to the upper reservoir. During periods of high demand, water
will be released to flow back down through turbines, generating
electricity.

 Schematic Design: A schematic will be created showing the

location of key components such as:

o Upper and lower reservoirs

o Pumping and generating turbines

o Powerhouses and penstocks

o Electrical connections to the grid

3. Critical Discussion of Engineering Principles

 Mechanical Engineering:

o Turbines and Pumps: As described in the transcription,

water will be transferred between reservoirs, passing through
turbines during electricity generation. The choice of turbines
(such as Francis turbines) will be critical for maximizing
efficiency.

o Hydraulics: The design of the penstocks and tunnels will

follow fluid mechanics principles to handle the high flow rates
and pressure involved in the transfer of water. The system
must be optimized to minimize losses and ensure reliable
operation.

 Electrical Engineering:

o Energy Conversion: The turbines will generate electricity by

converting the kinetic energy of water into mechanical energy
and subsequently into electrical energy. The facility must be
integrated into the national grid to ensure stable transmission
of power during peak demand periods.

o Storage and Distribution: PSH systems are essentially

"giant batteries," as the video describes, allowing for the
storage of significant amounts of energy, which can then be
released when needed. The electrical engineering components
must ensure efficient storage and distribution.

 Chemical Engineering:

o Material Durability: The use of durable materials in turbines

and penstocks, particularly those that resist corrosion, will be
critical. Water quality management will also be necessary to
prevent sedimentation and chemical imbalances that could
affect the system's long-term efficiency.

 Environmental Engineering:

o Sustainability and Impact: Minimizing the environmental

impact is a key concern, as described in the transcription.
Dams will be designed to blend into the natural landscape,
and construction will follow sustainable practices, such as
using excavated materials for dam building. Fish screening
systems will be implemented to protect local wildlife.

o Carbon Emission Reduction: The project will significantly

reduce carbon emissions, as PSH does not produce
greenhouse gases. By filling the gap left by intermittent
 renewable energy sources, this facility will help Scotland and
the UK meet their net-zero targets.

4. Summary and Recommendations for Future Work

 Summary: The proposed 1 GW pumped storage hydropower facility

will contribute to a reliable, sustainable energy system in the UK,
supporting the integration of renewable energy while minimizing
environmental impact. The design is based on well-established PSH
principles and takes into account the specific landscape and
environmental conditions.

 Recommendations:

1. Further Research: Future work should include a detailed

environmental impact assessment and ongoing monitoring
during the construction phase.

2. Optimization: Further optimization of turbine efficiency and

storage capacity should be explored to enhance the long-term
sustainability of the project.

3. Expansion Potential: Consideration should be given to

expanding the project to increase storage capacity or to
integrate with other renewable energy technologies.

Detailed Schematic Design Requirements

1. Overview of the Facility

 Type: 1 GW Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) Facility.

 Function: The facility will store excess electricity by pumping water

from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir during low-demand
periods and release it to generate power during high-demand
periods.

 Location: Include specific topographic features if relevant (e.g.,

elevation differences between reservoirs, proximity to a natural
water source). This facility will use two reservoirs at different
elevations: an upper reservoir and a lower reservoir, with water
flowing between them to generate power.

2. Key Components

 Upper and Lower Reservoirs:

o Function: Store water for the energy cycle.

o Capacity: Provide a specific water storage capacity or

dimensions to the designer.
 o Topography: Reservoirs should be at different elevations. The
upper reservoir should be high enough to provide gravitational
potential energy for the water flow.

o Dams: If artificial reservoirs are being created, the dams will

need to be designed. Provide elevation details for raising the
water levels.

 Penstocks:

o Function: Penstocks are large pipes or tunnels through which

water flows between the upper and lower reservoirs. These
must be optimized for water flow efficiency and designed to
minimize friction losses.

o Design Parameters:

 Diameter: The penstock diameter must be specified

based on the required flow rate.

 Material: Typically steel or concrete-lined tunnels to

prevent leakage and withstand high water pressure.

 Length: Based on the distance between the two

reservoirs and the elevation difference.

 Turbines:

o Type: Depending on the site's elevation, either Francis

turbines (most efficient for medium head projects) or Pelton
turbines (for high head projects) should be used.

o Location: Turbines should be positioned at the powerhouse,

typically near the lower reservoir where water flows to
generate electricity.

o Number of Units: Specify the number of turbines required

based on the expected capacity. For a 1 GW facility, multiple
turbines may be required, each capable of handling a portion
of the total flow.

 Pumps:

o Function: To pump water from the lower reservoir back to the

upper reservoir during low electricity demand periods.

o Design: Pumps should be selected based on efficiency and

water volume requirements. Usually, reversible pump-
turbines are used, which serve both as pumps and turbines
to optimize the system.
  Powerhouse:

o Location: Usually located near the lower reservoir or between

the reservoirs, depending on site conditions.

o Contents:

 Turbines

 Generators

 Control systems

o The powerhouse must be designed to accommodate the

equipment and allow for maintenance and operational access.

o Aesthetic and Environmental Considerations: The

building should be designed to blend into the landscape, as
mentioned in the transcription (e.g., lowering into the hillside,
using natural materials for camouflage).

 Transmission Lines:

o Connection to the Grid: The schematic should include

electrical transmission lines that connect the facility to the
national grid.

o Underground Cabling: As mentioned in the transcription, all

electricity cabling will be underground, so the schematic
should clearly show the routing of these cables.

3. Flow and Energy Storage Cycles

 Energy Generation Cycle: Show how water flows from the upper
reservoir, through the penstocks and turbines, and into the lower
reservoir during electricity generation.

 Energy Storage Cycle: When electricity demand is low, water will

be pumped from the lower reservoir back to the upper reservoir
using grid electricity. The design must include the pump mechanism
and routing for this process.

4. Environmental Considerations

 Fish Screens: Include fish screening systems at the water intakes

to prevent fish from entering the turbines or being harmed by the
water flow.

 Landscaping and Integration: Show how the dam and other

structures will blend into the natural surroundings (e.g., vegetation
on the dam face, natural materials used for construction).
  Excavation and Material Use: Indicate that materials excavated
during tunnel construction will be reused on-site for dam
construction, reducing environmental impact.

5. Safety Systems

 Spillways: The design must include spillways to safely manage

excess water during high rainfall or flooding.

 Emergency Shut-Off Valves: The schematic should show safety

features like emergency shut-off valves in the penstock to prevent
uncontrolled water flow in case of turbine failure.

6. Design Standards

 International Standards: Specify that the design should follow

international hydropower engineering standards such as:

o IEC 60308: Hydroelectric power plant guidelines.

o IEEE 1249: Guide for electrical design of hydroelectric

facilities.

o ISO 9001: For quality management systems in design and

operation.

1. Energy Output and Reservoir Capacity

The power output (P) of a hydroelectric facility is given by the equation:

P=η⋅ρ⋅g⋅Q⋅HP = \eta \cdot \rho \cdot g \cdot Q \cdot HP=η⋅ρ⋅g⋅Q⋅H

Where:

 PPP is the power in watts (1 GW = 1×1091 \times 10^91×109 W),

 η\etaη is the efficiency (typically between 80-90%, use 85% for

calculations),

 ρ\rhoρ is the density of water (1000 kg/m³),

 ggg is the acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s²),

 QQQ is the flow rate in cubic meters per second (m³/s),

 HHH is the effective head (height difference between the upper and
lower reservoirs) in meters.

Let’s assume an efficiency of 85% and a target head of 500 meters (based
on similar projects like the Coire Glas PSH project, which also has a head
of approximately 500 m).

Calculating Flow Rate (Q)

Rearranging the equation to solve for the flow rate QQQ:

Q=Pη⋅ρ⋅g⋅HQ = \frac{P}{\eta \cdot \rho \cdot g \cdot H}Q=η⋅ρ⋅g⋅HP

Substituting the known values:

Q=1×1090.85⋅1000⋅9.81⋅500Q = \frac{1 \times 10^9}{0.85 \cdot 1000 \

cdot 9.81 \cdot 500}Q=0.85⋅1000⋅9.81⋅5001×109 Q≈239.25 m3/sQ \
approx 239.25 \, \text{m}^3/\text{s}Q≈239.25m3/s

This means the flow rate through the turbines must be approximately
239.25 cubic meters per second to generate 1 GW of power with a 500
m head.

Reservoir Volume (V)

To estimate the required reservoir volume, we need to calculate how much

water needs to be stored to generate electricity for a specific amount of
time. For example, if the facility is expected to generate 1 GW for 6 hours:

E=P⋅t=η⋅ρ⋅g⋅V⋅HE = P \cdot t = \eta \cdot \rho \cdot g \cdot V \cdot

HE=P⋅t=η⋅ρ⋅g⋅V⋅H

Where:

 EEE is the energy in joules (1 GW for 6 hours =

1×109×6×3600=2.16×10131 \times 10^9 \times 6 \times 3600 =
2.16 \times 10^{13}1×109×6×3600=2.16×1013 joules),

 VVV is the reservoir volume in cubic meters (m³).

Rearranging to solve for VVV:

V=Eη⋅ρ⋅g⋅HV = \frac{E}{\eta \cdot \rho \cdot g \cdot H}V=η⋅ρ⋅g⋅HE

Substituting values:

V=2.16×10130.85⋅1000⋅9.81⋅500V = \frac{2.16 \times 10^{13}}{0.85 \

cdot 1000 \cdot 9.81 \cdot 500}V=0.85⋅1000⋅9.81⋅5002.16×1013
V≈5.17×106 m3V \approx 5.17 \times 10^6 \, \text{m}^3V≈5.17×106m3

So, the upper reservoir needs to have a capacity of approximately 5.17

million cubic meters to store enough water to generate 1 GW for 6
hours.

Reservoir Surface Area

Assuming the reservoir has an average depth of 20 meters (this depends

on the topography and can vary):
Surface Area=VDepth=5.17×10620=258,500 m2\text{Surface Area} = \
frac{V}{\text{Depth}} = \frac{5.17 \times 10^6}{20} = 258,500 \, \
text{m}^2Surface Area=DepthV=205.17×106=258,500m2

This means the surface area of the upper reservoir would be around
258,500 square meters, or approximately 0.26 square kilometers.

2. Penstock Design

The penstock diameter DDD can be estimated using the flow rate QQQ
and the flow velocity vvv. The flow rate is related to the cross-sectional
area AAA and the velocity by:

Q=A⋅v=π⋅(D2)2⋅vQ = A \cdot v = \pi \cdot \left(\frac{D}{2}\right)^2 \cdot

vQ=A⋅v=π⋅(2D)2⋅v

Assuming a typical flow velocity of 5 m/s (reasonable for large hydropower

projects):

239.25=π⋅(D2)2⋅5239.25 = \pi \cdot \left(\frac{D}{2}\right)^2 \cdot

5239.25=π⋅(2D)2⋅5

Solving for DDD:

D2=239.25π⋅5D^2 = \frac{239.25}{\pi \cdot 5}D2=π⋅5239.25

D2≈15.24D^2 \approx 15.24D2≈15.24 D≈3.9 metersD \approx 3.9 \, \
text{meters}D≈3.9meters

Therefore, the penstock should have a diameter of approximately 3.9

meters to handle the flow rate required for a 1 GW facility.

Penstock Length and Head Losses

For a facility with a head of 500 meters, the penstock length will depend
on the vertical and horizontal distance between the reservoirs. Let’s
assume a length of 1 km. The head loss due to friction can be estimated
using the Darcy-Weisbach equation:

hf=f⋅LD⋅v22gh_f = f \cdot \frac{L}{D} \cdot \frac{v^2}{2g}hf=f⋅DL⋅2gv2

Where:

 fff is the friction factor (assume 0.02 for smooth steel penstocks),

 LLL is the length of the penstock (1000 m),

 DDD is the diameter (3.9 m),

 vvv is the flow velocity (5 m/s),

 ggg is the acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s²).

Substituting values:

hf=0.02⋅10003.9⋅522⋅9.81h_f = 0.02 \cdot \frac{1000}{3.9} \cdot \

frac{5^2}{2 \cdot 9.81}hf=0.02⋅3.91000⋅2⋅9.8152 hf≈3.24 mh_f \approx
3.24 \, \text{m}hf≈3.24m

Thus, the head loss due to friction is approximately 3.24 meters, which is
small relative to the 500 m head and can be considered negligible in the
design.

3. Turbine Selection

For a 1 GW facility with a 500 m head, Francis turbines are typically

used, as they operate efficiently at medium heads (100-600 m). The
specific turbine design will depend on the manufacturer, but the power
rating and flow characteristics will be specified to match the calculated
flow rate of 239.25 m³/s.

Number of Turbines

To distribute the flow and ensure redundancy, multiple turbines may be

used. For example, if each turbine is rated for 300 MW:

Number of turbines=1000 MW300 MW=3.33\text{Number of turbines} = \

frac{1000 \, \text{MW}}{300 \, \text{MW}} =
3.33Number of turbines=300MW1000MW=3.33

So, at least four turbines should be installed, each handling

approximately 25% of the total flow.

4. Pumps

The pumps must be sized to handle the same flow rate of 239.25 m³/s to
pump water back into the upper reservoir during periods of low demand.
Reversible pump-turbines are often used, which means the same
equipment will be used for both pumping and generation.

5. Safety Margins and Tolerances

When designing the system, tolerances must be included to account for

variations in operating conditions:

 Flow Rate: The penstock and turbine flow rates should be designed
with a 10-15% tolerance to accommodate seasonal variations in
water availability and grid demand fluctuations.

 Penstock Pressure: Penstocks should be designed to withstand

pressures up to 25% higher than the maximum expected operating
pressure to ensure safety under surge conditions.
  Reservoir Capacity: The reservoir volumes should include an
additional 10-20% capacity to account for heavy rainfall or water
inflow beyond the design specifications.

Conclusion

To summarize the key design parameters for the 1 GW pumped storage

facility:

 Flow Rate: 239.25 m³/s

 Reservoir Volume: 5.17 million m³

 Penstock Diameter: 3.9 meters

 Number of Turbines: 4 (each rated at 300 MW)

 Pumping System: Reversible pump-turbines rated for 239.25 m³/s

 Tolerances: 10-20% margin on reservoir capacity and flow rates

These dimensions and tolerances should provide a solid basis for detailed
engineering design and allow the facility to operate efficiently and safely.

Key Design Components

1. Reservoirs:

 Upper Reservoir:

o Capacity: The upper reservoir should be designed to hold

approximately 5.17 million cubic meters of water. This
capacity is required to generate 1 GW of electricity for 6
continuous hours.

o Surface Area: Assuming an average depth of 20 meters, the

surface area of the upper reservoir should be approximately
0.26 square kilometers (258,500 square meters).

o Topography: The upper reservoir must be located at an

elevation sufficient to provide a head (height difference) of
500 meters relative to the lower reservoir. Ensure the
location allows for gravitational flow between the reservoirs.

o Dams: Dams will be required to raise the water level of the

natural or artificial reservoir. The dam should be designed with
integrated features such as spillways for overflow control and
aesthetic blending into the landscape (vegetation and natural
material use).

 Lower Reservoir:
 o The lower reservoir is positioned 500 meters below the upper
reservoir. It should have the same capacity as the upper
reservoir (approximately 5.17 million cubic meters) to
ensure full system operation.

o The connection between the upper and lower reservoirs will

be critical for water flow during the generation and pumping
phases.

2. Penstock:

 Diameter: The penstock (the large pipe or tunnel through which

water flows) must have an internal diameter of 3.9 meters to
handle the required flow rate of 239.25 cubic meters per second
(m³/s).

 Length: The length of the penstock should be approximately 1

kilometer (1000 meters) depending on the topographic conditions
of the site. This may vary slightly depending on the exact distance
between the reservoirs.

 Material: The penstock should be made of steel or concrete-

lined tunnels to prevent leakage and withstand the high pressure
of water flow. The material must be resistant to corrosion and wear
from continuous water flow.

 Flow Velocity: The water will flow through the penstock at a

velocity of 5 meters per second (m/s), which is a standard and
efficient velocity for this type of project.

 Friction Losses: Design the penstock to minimize friction losses.

The expected head loss due to friction is calculated to be
approximately 3.24 meters, which is manageable given the 500-
meter head.

3. Turbines:

 Type: The facility will use Francis turbines, which are suitable for
medium head projects like this one (with a 500-meter head).

 Number of Turbines: The system will require at least four

turbines, each capable of generating 250 MW. This ensures a total
installed capacity of 1 GW.

 Location: The turbines will be housed in the powerhouse, located

near the lower reservoir. The water from the upper reservoir will
pass through these turbines to generate electricity.
  Efficiency: The turbines must operate at an efficiency of 85% or
higher to ensure optimal energy generation.

4. Pumping System:

 Reversible Pump-Turbines: The system will use reversible

pump-turbines, meaning the same equipment will serve both as
turbines for generating electricity and as pumps for moving water
back to the upper reservoir.

 Flow Rate: The pumps must be designed to handle the same flow
rate as the turbines: 239.25 cubic meters per second.

 Pumping Phase: During periods of low electricity demand, the

pumps will return water from the lower reservoir to the upper
reservoir, powered by excess electricity from the grid.

5. Powerhouse:

 Location: The powerhouse should be positioned near the lower

reservoir, or between the reservoirs if necessary, depending on the
topography.

 Components: The powerhouse will contain the turbines, pumps,

and generators, as well as the necessary control and monitoring
systems.

 Design: The structure should be designed to blend into the

landscape. This includes lowering the building into the hillside and
using natural materials to reduce visual impact. Consider tree
planting and landscaping around the powerhouse to further
integrate it into the environment.

6. Transmission Lines:

 Grid Connection: The design must include the electrical

transmission lines connecting the facility to the national grid.

 Underground Cabling: All cables should be routed underground to

minimize environmental and visual impact. This requires the careful
design of cable tunnels and access points.

7. Environmental and Safety Features:

 Fish Screens: The water intakes must be fitted with fish

screening systems to prevent local fish from entering the turbines
and the underground water system.
  Spillways: Include spillways at the dams to manage overflow in
the event of heavy rainfall or excess water inflow. These should be
designed for safety and environmental protection.

 Emergency Shut-off Valves: Design the system with emergency

shut-off valves in the penstock to control water flow in the event
of turbine or system failure.

8. Safety Margins and Tolerances:

 Flow Rate Tolerance: The system must be designed to handle a

10-15% margin on the flow rate to account for seasonal variations
in water availability and electricity demand.

 Penstock Pressure Tolerance: The penstock must be designed to

withstand pressures up to 25% higher than the maximum expected
operating pressure, ensuring safety during surge conditions.

 Reservoir Capacity Tolerance: The reservoir should be designed

with 10-20% extra capacity to handle unexpected inflows due to
rain or operational adjustments.