The government protects the use of water for energy storage by law

The purpose of the change is to speed up installation. reversible (or pumped) hydroelectric power plantsThe manager will also give preference in new concessions given water. But also to adjust Fundamentals of the electrical system of the future, placed in storage before production in case of lack of water.

There is in Spain hundreds of reservoirs are deployed throughout the region. Some are intended Human use and irrigation (consumption) and others electricity generation. The latter adds up to approximately 20 gigawatts (GW) of installed powerbut most of them are traditional plants While there is only 3.3 GW pumping. The government wants to promote the latter, which is essential for renewable development, but “two main obstacles” are slowing this process processing of privileges: discord current concessions and the need to have longer contract period As explained in the ‘anti-crisis’ decree published on Thursday, “in order to amortize the necessary investment and make it profitable” Official Government Gazette (BOE).

According to the manager, the way to solve the problem is to enter into water legislation. new use like energy storage. The logic he uses is that a power plant traditional has a target to produce energy, pump stations energy consumers. Pumping system, unlike the previous one which had a single reservoir two ready at different heights Storing water in the upper tank when demand is low, and using water in the lower tank to produce energy when necessary. The process of pumping water from the lower tank to the upper tank requires more energy than the energy produced when inverted.

Once the new use is created (energy storage), it is placed in third place order of preference use between Water Law This implies that in case of scarcity there will be preference, but also that the order will prevail in case of “forced expropriation”. From here, the Government adds that it will prioritize this use. new concessions –it will be easier to obtain licenses for pumping plants than for conventional plants– but will also give “retroactivity” to this criterion, so privileged procedures was started. in case existing pump stations It will be adapted to the new use “ex officio”. hydraulic energy storage and they will be allowed get a new franchise “With the same usage and target” if you want re-strengthen (increase its capacity) “For a period sufficient to amortize the investment made, in any case not to be exceeded, 50 years”.

renewable silt

The change is not trivial. Until now, pumping stations stored energy at night and produced it during the day, but now they can operate in a different way between priorities. energy storage through production. This is crucial in the face of an enormous situation. renewable distribution is planned for the coming years. According to the 2030 road map, it is aimed to provide 81 percent of production from renewable sources in 2030.National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan). But as the BOE’s editorial staff explained this Thursday, renewable energy “unmanageable” and is not adequately matched. electricity demandcombined with lack of concurrency this can occur security is at risk between peninsula electrical system”. Until now.

Construction of this type of reservoirs is quite difficult. slowbut unlike other storage options electric batteries One mature technology Effective and efficient, capable of adequate response and guaranteeing the necessary measures to match electricity supply and demand at a daily, weekly and even seasonal level stability, efficient operation and flexibility of the electrical system.” And to this he adds: “It fits very well Geographical features” Allows Spain to “value” numerous existing reservoirs, Not only does it reduce energy dependency, but it also enables doing so at a reasonable cost and providing access to energy. more affordable energy for users,” adds the decree.