Comparison of Pumped Hydro Storage Operation Policies For A Brazilian Case Study

The growing participation of renewable sources in Brazil’s electrical matrix, specially from wind and solar sources, together with the decrease of reservoirs regulation capacity, has raised concerns with peak load supply. This new scenario provoked the discussion about possible ways to store energy. Pumped Hydro Storage plants is a technologically mature and suitable alternative for storing large volumes of energy, with operational projects in several countries. In addition, Brazil already counts with existing reservoirs that can be converted into pumped storage plants. Given the importance that this kind of project can acquire soon, this paper aims to model the operation of a pumped hydro storage plant, as well as to suggest possible operating policies, focusing on peak load supply and in its capacity of firming wind generation.