What Drives Pumped Storage Development in Europe and the USA?

摘要

Some significant factors in developing pumped storage are:1. Europe has a stronger social preference than the USA for reducing greenhouse gas production;2. Europe has more variable generation from wind and solar than the USA;3. Use of natural gas in Europe is not as attractive as it is in the USA;4. Energy arbitrage opportunities due to price spreads for electricity are not as affected by gas generation in Europe as they are in the USA;and 5. Storage in Europe is being installed to help firm intermittent generation. This comparison represents a snapshot in time and the factors that influence costs and economic returns of pumped-storage equipment will change.