Renewable capacity in Spain has achieved that half of energy production comes from clean energy. The most important factor was in hydroelectric plants, thanks to the generation and storage of energy. In this way, Spain has found in these non-conventional batteries a way to close the year very well.
Energy storage. The Spanish water reserve is at 51.7% of its capacity (this data may vary in the coming days due to rainfall), this is good data for reversible or pumping plants. In fact, data from the Spanish Electricity Network (REE) have indicated that these plants have generated 4,747 GWh of electricity last October. In other words, they are up 10% from last year and are pumping twice as much as they have in the last 15 years.
Pumping plants, a solution? Despite the problems in building this type of reversible plants, for at least 10 years with the existing plants they have maintained the 3,337 MW installed in Spain, according to data from the PNIEC. Given the increase in intermittent renewables, such as solar and wind, pumping plants become a way to manage the storage and supply of electricity at times of high and low demand.
What happens with renewables? Solar energy and wind energy have increased their installed capacity in Spain in recent years. However, since they are non-manageable sources, that is, they depend on climatic conditions and cannot be adjusted directly to demand. For this reason, in times of excess or no demand they need storage and energy reservoirs can be used for this.
Pure non-mixed pumping plants. There are some differences between both plants. Those with pure pumping are dedicated exclusively to storing and producing energy through the pumping and turbine cycle of water between two reservoirs. Instead, mixed plants can combine traditional hydroelectric generation with pumping, allowing them to produce electricity from both stored energy and naturally flowing energy.
And how does it affect the Price of electricity? Electricity generation from renewables is influencing the price of electricity. In the hours when there is no sun, pumping plants can release energy and sell it in situations of high demand and high prices, to seek a balance compared to combined cycles. However, by acting during peak demand hours they could raise the average price of electricity.
Reservoirs in Spain are finding their way to adapt as an important player in the future of renewables. This situation in the coming years with an increase in renewable capacity, the price of electricity could fluctuate due to the availability of storage technologies and stability in electrical demand.
Image | Iberdrola
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