Some ways for increasing the efficiency of constructing pumped-storage stations in the USSR

Abstract

1. The construction of pumped-storage stations in the European Sector of the USSR is a most important problem and is organically associated with the development of power engineering in this region on the basis of the preeminent construction of powerful nuclear stations. 2. Along with “peak-load” pumped-storage stations it is expedient to construct also “semipeak-load” pumped-storage stations under favorable natural conditions, which are intended to operate in a generating regime for 10–14 h a day. 3. Especially effective is the construction of pumped-storage plants as a part of power complexes united by a common technological use of the reservoirs. It is necessary to search for sites convenient for the creation of power complexes and to design them. 4. It is necessary to strive for assembly-line construction of standard pumped-storage stations with the same type of equipment and unified designs of structures. Unified pumped-storage stations should be distinguished by a high technological efficiency of the designs providing the possibility of maximum industrialization of construction. 5. Stations with a head of 100 m and high-head pumped-storage stations with underground reservoirs can be recommended as unified pumped-storage stations. With respect to the latter it is necessary to launch research and development work at the feasility study stage. 6. In connection with the complex natural conditions of the majority of sites of pumped-storage stations in central regions of the European USSR, the search for optimal sites for constructing them should be carried out with an increased amount of surveys and preplanning studies, which will permit a comprehensive comparison of alternatives.