“Together with other indispensable Contributors, Sustainable Hydropower has been put at the heart of the energy transition. With a capacity of ~ 300 MW, our pumped-storage power plant project is of common interest, and it will deliver a major contribution to meet Europe’s ambitious target to be climate-neutral by 2050 . In that respect, our project will be a pioneering landmark which will positively impact generations.”
“Together with other indispensable Contributors, Sustainable Hydropower has been put at the heart of the energy transition. With a capacity of ~ 300 MW, our pumped-storage power plant project is of common interest, and it will deliver a major contribution to meet Europe’s ambitious target to be climate-neutral by 2050 . In that respect, our project will be a pioneering landmark which will positively impact generations.”
PUMPED STORAGE POWER PLANTS - HOW THEY WORK!
A pumped storage power plant is an energy storage facility in which no energy is extracted or generated, but energy is stored and released with a time delay. When the energy supply exceeds the energy demand, pumped storage power plants are charged to be able to supply energy in times of higher demand.
The storage tank is charged by pumping water from a low level (underwater storage) to a high level (overhead storage). This results in a conversion of electrical energy into position energy (potential energy). The stored positional energy is recovered when water from the higher level flows back through the turbines and drives the generator. The potential energy is thus converted back into electrical energy.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION ENERGY STORAGE BERNEGGER
With a capacity of about 300 megawatts, the pumped storage project "Energiespeicher Bernegger (ESB)" is an essential building block for the expansion of climate-friendly energies in order to supply Austria with 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and to achieve climate neutrality by 2040. Due to its central location in Europe, the project is also an essential contribution to the initiated Europe-wide energy transition.
ESB is an indispensable asset for national and European energy and supply security as well as for cross-sector electrification. From a Europe-wide perspective, the increase in the share of electricity from renewable sources is mainly achieved through wind power and photovoltaics - in the Alpine regions, however, the focus is also on the use of hydropower resources.
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY LEAD
ESB sets new, environmentally friendly standards: In this pumped storage power plant, in addition to the underground powerhouse and the underground pipelines, the upstream reservoir is also built underground and the downstream reservoir in an existing gravel pit - this minimal use of land serves to preserve intact nature and ecosystems. The closed water cycle also guarantees the highest ecological compatibility and protects the biodiversity in Austria's natural waters.
The project also sets new standards in the circular economy and the cross-sectoral coupling of raw materials: Limestone as the excavated material of the underground structures serves as a valuable mineral raw material for industry. In addition, the compact construction method sustainably reduces the use of materials. Synergies based on existing site infrastructures are used in the best possible way. The progressive project also makes a comprehensive contribution to achieving CO2 targets by sustainably reducing greenhouse gases by 97% compared to the fossil energy system.
DOMESTIC VALUE CREATION
The bundling of various world market leaders in the field of pumped storage technology of research, planning, construction and operation ensures a sustainable infrastructure investment in domestic value creation for secure jobs and social prosperity in the simultaneous fight against the climate crisis. The innovative technical concept of the environmentally friendly and economically highly profitable ESB pumped storage power plant is a European showcase project.
"We are consciously working against landscape consumption by using already existing infrastructure in order to preserve nature."
The energy provided / stored in the ESB enables considerable CO2 savings compared to fossil energy systems.
Reduction of CO2 emissions
Tonnes annual CO2 saving
Million tonnes of CO2 savings in the life cycle
Company headquarters: Gradau 15, 4591 Molln
Tel. +43 (7584) 3041-0
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