Increasing the Operating Efficiency of Pumped Storage Power Plant Power Installations and Structures

The article considers measures that help achieve maximally efficient operation of power units and structures of pumped storage power plants (PSPP) in forming their operation mode. The operation mode related measures are developed on the basis of the results of modeling pumped storage power plants with the main equipment designed according to the two- and three-machine arrangements used at the operating PSPPs. The modeling was carried out using the software developed by one of the authors of the article. The developed software offers the possibility to simulate – in real time and in automatic mode – the PSPP equipment pumping and turbine modes of operation, as well as the generator shutdown and idle operation modes, transient states of the equipment when making a shift from one mode to another, and equipment maneuvering characteristics. It also incorporates an analysis of worldwide and domestic experience gained from the design and operation of more than 700 PSPPs. The presented information takes into account the data on PSPP equipment and structures of different ranges of nominal parameters, design features and types of equipment and structures. The list of parameters influencing the performance efficiency of PSPP power units and facilities is determined by the authors proceeding from an analysis of data, as well as from a study of literature sources on decommissioned PSPPs, as well as on those that are in operation and being designed. The article considers the types of the PSPP main hydropower equipment used as part of PSPP reversible hydroelectric units. The turbine units that are not used together with pumping equipment as part of a reversible hydroelectric unit, and which are used only as part of hydroelectric units that do not operate in the motor mode, are beyond the scope of the equipment considered