Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Pumped-storage power plants have become much more common, particularly in
recent years. Supply fl uctuations frequently occur in the generation of wind power
in particular. Large pumped-storage power plants can at least partially compensate
for these fl uctuations, thereby helping to improve integration of wind power into
the grid.
The four generators of the Goldisthal power plant (Figure 9.12), which was com-
missioned in 2003, together have an output of 1060 megawatts. The accumulated
dam volume of the upper basin is 12 million cubic metres. Based on this volume
and with a medium head of 302 m, the power plant can work at full capacity for
eight hours. This is suffi cient to cover the power demands of over 2.7 million
average households.
Figure 9.12
The Goldisthal pumped-storage power plant in Germany.
Source: Vattenfall
Europe.
9.3.4 Tidal Power Plants
Tidal waves are attributed to the interaction of the forces of attraction between
moon, sun and earth. As a result of the rotation of the earth, the forces of attraction
are continuously changing their direction. The water masses of the oceans follow
the attraction. As a result, a tidal wave with a height difference of more than one
metre can form on the open sea. Tidal waves caused by the moon occur approxi-
mately every 12 hours at some point on earth. In extreme cases, they can reach more
than 10 m in height. Tidal power plants could use these changes in water level to
generate energy.
In regions with a high tidal hub, a reservoir can be built so that water fl ows into
it at high tide. The incoming water fl ows into the reservoir through a turbine in
the dam wall, and at low tide it fl ows back again. The turbine and the connected
