Pumped hydro moves water between 2 or more reservoirs to store and generate energy.
As part of our future energy system, pumped hydro is a technology used to store renewable energy made by wind and solar farms. It operates in a similar way to a rechargeable battery. Stored energy can be released to our electricity grid when needed.
How pumped hydro works
A power station houses turbines that are linked to 2 or more reservoirs at different heights.
When electricity demand is high, water is released from the upper reservoir and the force of the falling water spins the turbines. When the turbines spin, electricity is generated and fed into the grid.
Water that passes through the turbines is kept in the lower reservoir until it can be pumped back. When there is excess electricity supply in the grid, the turbines use this excess energy to pump water from the lower reservoir back to the upper reservoir.
This process is usually repeated every 24 hours to help maintain the security and reliability of the electricity grid.
Pumped Hydro in Queensland
Queensland's energy grid is transforming.
We are moving quickly towards a more renewable and sustainable future.
As we transform, we need to make sure our power system is reliable and affordable for the millions of Queenslanders who use it.
Using more renewable energy means more reliance on the sun and wind to meet our energy needs.
To ensure our system remains reliable and affordable, we need a way to store excess energy from our plentiful wind and solar resources for times when it is needed.
Pumped hydro works with wind and solar energies to operate like a giant renewable battery, providing large scale, long lasting energy storage.
A pumped hydro system creates electricity by releasing water from the top reservoir through pipes to the bottom reservoir.
As the water flows downwards, it spins turbines, generating electricity.
The excess water now in the bottom reservoir can be pumped back to the top for generation to occur again.
Pumping water to the top reservoir, however, uses electricity.
That's where wind and solar energies come in.
Excess wind and solar power can be used to pump the water to the top reservoir and charge the pumped hydro system at different times, like at night, when wind and solar sources aren't generating enough power, the pumped hydro switches on, releasing the water to the bottom reservoir and generating electricity.
Pumped hydro, wind and solar work together to keep the energy network reliable, providing electricity whenever it is needed.
The Queensland Government is committed to keeping energy sustainable, reliable and affordable for all Queenslanders and pumped hydro will play a critical role in our ongoing renewable energy transformation.
Why pumped hydro is so important
Queensland needs large-scale energy storage to make sure there is always a supply of electricity. When the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing, or when there is high electricity demand, pumped hydro is switched on to provide the needed power. The energy storage provided by pumped hydro is an important part of our future energy system.
Planned pumped hydro projects
There are 2 long duration pumped hydro projects planned for Queensland:
The Borumba Dam Pumped Hydro Project will be the first long duration pumped hydro to be built in Queensland. We are also assessing the Pioneer-Burdekin project’s feasibility for pumped hydro development through detailed analytical studies.
Together, these projects have the potential to store up to 7 gigawatts (GW) of electricity. This is enough energy to power the whole of Queensland for a day before needing to be recharged. These projects will create local jobs and support the transformation of our energy system.
In September 2022, the Queensland Government established Queensland Hydro to design, deliver, operate and maintain the long duration pumped hydro energy storage assets that will be the cornerstone for Queensland’s energy transformation.
Borumba Pumped Hydro Project
As our energy market transitions and our climate changes, we see new opportunities for a clean energy future. We need bold energy targets and a plan to meet them. We need action. The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan sets a clear pathway for our energy system to reach 70% renewables by 2032. Also key to this transformation is long duration pumped hydro which will store energy when the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing. The Sunshine Coast Hinterland Sporum
Trump Hydro project will play a pivotal role in providing the grid firming and stability needed to balance the growing amounts of variable renewable energy entering the system.
Detailed technical investigations over the past 18 months provided A robust analysis of project details, including costs, risks and benefits.
The Barambah Punt Hydro Project offers favourable technical advantages for long duration storage with short distance between reservoirs, large hydrological catchment area and ideal topography and geology.
The Barambah Pumped Hydro Project will deliver up to 2000 megawatts of clean energy for 24 hours, enough to power up to 2,000,000 Queensland homes. During construction, the project will build 7 dam structures and two spillways. Install a 56 metre high powerhouse located 400 metres underground, excavate 7,000,000 cubic metres of earth and rock. Use 1.6 million cubic metres of concrete quarry 11.5 million cubic metres of material.
It will supercharge investment in renewable energy, unlocking opportunities in new industries, and provide a $5.4 billion boost to gross regional product by 2050. It will also create over 2300 jobs during construction and ongoing local jobs, Create community value through education, training and local workforce development, and create opportunities for local suppliers and investment in local facilities
through community partnerships. The project will deliver shared social value and Co create environmental outcomes that last well beyond the project. The next step in project delivery is completing exploratory works and advanced geotechnical investigations. The project is currently seeking state and federal approvals to proceed with this work. This approval enables Rd upgrades to improve site access tunnelling for proposed emergency cable and ventilation tunnel geotechnical investigations to inform
final design.
A detailed environmental impact assessment will follow to achieve the necessary state and federal approvals. This transition will put Queensland at the forefront of our nation's renewable energy future. It's powering our economies, it's empowering our communities, It's real action that we can be proud of and that we'll deliver together for QLD.
Pumped hydro’s efficiency
Pumped hydro has been used to create and store energy around the world for generations. It is used for 97% of energy storage worldwide because it is flexible and low-cost to operate. Pumped hydro schemes are considered a very efficient way to generate and store energy.
Lifespan of a pumped hydro facility
The major assets in a pumped hydro facility have a lifespan of more than 50 years. Our long duration pumped hydro facilities will be carefully maintained to ensure they remain safe and effective over the long-term.
Engagement
We are committed to genuine engagement with the community and key stakeholders. Every potential pumped hydro site has unique characteristics, and the community can provide valuable insights to give us a detailed understanding of the project area.
We will work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, residents, environmental and business stakeholders, and the broader community, throughout the pumped hydro investigation process to consider input and feedback.
