A novel pumped hydro-energy storage scheme with wind energy for power generation at constant voltage in rural areas

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, a novel concept of small isolated electric power generation from pumped-hydro energy storage (PHES) using wind as primary energy is proposed for rural and remote areas where the wells are available. A suitable well is utilized as the lower reservoir of the PHES system, while the upper reservoir needed for the water storage is made on the ground. In this scheme, the wind turbine, unlike other PHES schemes is not used for rotating the electric generator at all, but to rotate the hydraulic pump, which is used to suck the water from the well and to store it in the upper reservoir. The water head created in this way is utilized to run a pico-hydro turbine coupled with a generator for generating electric power. The mathematical modelling of the system has also been developed in the paper. For the validation of the model, the simulation is carried out using the actual wind speed data. The attractive features of the scheme are its low cost, simplicity, reliability and continuity in power supply at constant voltage irrespective of wind speed variations.