A Review on the Hybrid Solar-Wind-Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage Systems

The use of natural resources like coal, nuclear and other fossil fuels for electricity generation exhausts the natural reserves and puts adverse effects on the environment. For assuring an unlimited energy supply and environment friendly generation of electricity, the renewable energy sources are utilized. But these sources are irregular sources of energy generation due to inconsistent natural situations. These fluctuations in the output of renewable energy sources can be omitted by employing a promising and huge energy storage system. The pumped hydroelectric-energy storage systems (PHES) are widely used for large-scale energy storage. The use of such systems along the natural renewable energy sources (RES) can enhance the penetration of renewable energy into the conventional grid and helps stabilize their fluctuating output. Such systems are economically feasible and help save the environment by reducing the use of fossil fuels for energy generation. This paper presents a review of the studies conducted related to hybrid pumped storage systems. Further, a novel method for increasing the efficiency of a hybrid solar-wind-pumped hydroelectric energy storage system is proposed. It is concluded that the pumped hydroelectric energy storage systems help stabilize the output from the renewable energy sources as well as increase the penetration of renewable sources in the conventional power grids.