Symposium on Pumped Storage: Foreign Pumped Storage Projects

The great interest in pumped storage power in the United States suggests an examination of the well developed and highly diversified pumped storage technology that has emerged abroad since 1910. Eight-four foreign pumped storage developments are either built or being built as of 1912, and new and larger developments are being planned. Because studies of most new hydroelectric projects include consideration of pumped storage installations, hydroelectric engineers have an interest in the principles and practice that characterize the extensive pumped storage developments abroad. A listing of the possible purposes of pumped storage projects is given. The geographical areas in which pumped storage developments have been realized are given. The effect of geography and power economics on pumped storage developments is examined. A general description of the various equipment used in pumped storage developments is presented, and prevailing ranges of unit capacity and hydraulic heads are given. A complete listing and tabulation of all major foreign pumped storage developments is included. The discussion of foreign pumped storage practice covers the folowing subjects: integration with power systems; plant efficiency and capital cost; pumping heads; upper and lower reservoir structures; powerhouse structures; water conduits; and pumped storage cascade developments. A series of conclusions attempts to relate present and future foreign pumped storage developments to the expanding interconnected power generation systems that are basic to the pumped storage concept.