Volume 39: Energy Transitions toward Carbon Neutrality: Part II

Improving the performance of a pumped hydro storage plant through integration with floating photovoltaic Matteo Catania, Abdullah Bamoshmoosh, Vincenzo Dipierro, Marco Ficili, Andrea Fusco, Domenico Gioffré, Federico Parolin, Lorenzo Pilotti, Ferdinando Vincenti, Andrea Zelaschi

Abstract

This study investigates the techno-economic optimization of Pumped Hydro Storage (PHS) with integrated Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) systems, emphasizing two configurations. FPV modules, installed over water basins, exploit unused space, reducing water evaporation and enhancing photovoltaic efficiency via natural water-cooling. The Capriati PHS plant in Italy serves as the study case due to favorable irradiation conditions. The FPV model considers water cooling’s positive impact on PV cell efficiency and basin surface evaporation reduction. Historical meteorological data inform FPV production profiles, guiding an hour-based yearly optimization. Results reveal a substantial PHS utilization increase. In the first configuration, connecting FPV to the pump boosts Net Present Value and Equivalent Operating Hours (EOH) by around 60% and 40%, respectively. In the second configuration, grid interaction and electricity export lead to a 90% NPV increase and a 20% EOH increase. PHS-FPV integration enhances both PV and PHS productivity, offering a solution to challenges posed by seasonal PV production fluctuations.

Keywords PV, PHS, FPV, floating photovoltaic, energy storage, optimization