Demonstration of innovative pumped storage equipment and tools in combination with innovative storage management systems

ExpectedOutcome:

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Increased availability of innovative hydropower storage, in combination with innovative storage management systems.
• Maintain and increase technology leadership, competitiveness and technology export potential of European hydropower storage technology industry.
• Enhanced sustainability of innovative hydropower storage technologies, taking fully into account circular economy, social, economic and environmental aspects in line with the European Green Deal priorities.
• Reduced cost and improved efficiency of hydropower storage installations and the underlying technologies.

Scope:

Demonstration of innovative pumped storage equipment and digital tools linking the mechanical storage with innovative storage management systems. The latter may involve hybridisation with storage technologies to reap the full potential of pumped hydro storage under new market conditions Solutions should deliver innovative hydropower technologies adapted to unconventional storage schemes, including e.g. low-head locations or former coal mines and/or harsher operation conditions, e.g. using salt water, while minimising CAPEX, OPEX and improving life time and circularity of components. For the storage management system, digital tools for strategic and operational management should address current developments for energy storage, considering markets, variable renewable production and effects of climate change, and including novel approaches to energy. Demonstrated storage solutions should respond to the highest standards of environmental sustainability which is underpinned by a LCA and involve Citizens and Communities during all phases of the project activities, respectively. An analysis of innovative storage potential and impact should be performed.

Proposals should provide information and assessment about the economic feasibility and the potential of scaling-up the technology at commercial scale as appropriate. The exploitation plans should include preliminary feasibility study and business plan also indicating the possible funding sources to be potentially used (such as private equity, InvestEU, EU Catalyst Partnership and the Innovation Fund).

Specific Topic Conditions:

Activities are expected to achieve TRL 7-8 by the end of the project – see General Annex B.