COP31: New report calls for investment in water-powered energy storage

A new report was launched at the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Türkiye. It calls on governments to focus on pumped-storage hydropower as a key way to boost energy security and support renewable electricity growth.

This report was created with input from over 60 governments and international agencies through the Global Alliance for Pumped Storage (GAPS). It offers seven policy recommendations to speed up investment in this technology. Pumped-storage can store electricity for long periods and release it when demand goes up.

The report was shared at a high-level roundtable by GAPS. Many countries are looking for ways to strengthen their electricity systems as energy demand increases and renewable energy expands.

Pumped-storage hydropower works by using extra electricity to move water from a lower reservoir to an upper one. When the demand for electricity goes up, the system releases this stored water through turbines to create electricity.

Unlike regular battery technologies, pumped-storage can hold a lot of energy for long periods. It also helps keep the electricity grid stable.

The report claims that this technology can help countries cut down on imported energy resources. It can strengthen local energy systems since it mainly depends on water, suitable land, and local workers instead of imported critical minerals.

It also mentions that projects can be set up using existing reservoirs, lakes, hydropower infrastructure, and old mining sites.

Seven recommendations for governments

The report lists seven key areas for governments to focus on to speed up pumped-storage development.

These include checking national energy-storage needs and adding them to electricity plans. It also suggests recognizing pumped storage as vital national security infrastructure and creating clear legal definitions for energy storage.

Other recommendations include finding and preparing suitable sites, making the permit and licensing process easier, creating a friendly investment environment, and ensuring that pumped-storage operators get fair pay for their services to electricity systems.

The report mentions that high upfront costs, long development times, and specific site preparation needs have limited the growth of pumped-storage projects. Despite their proven capabilities, these challenges remain.

It argues that governments need to shape the right policy, regulatory, and market conditions to attract investment while making sure projects meet environmental and social standards.

Energy security and renewable growth

The report comes as countries work to improve electricity access and raise electricity’s share in global energy use.

Through the COP31 Global Electrification Pledge, countries want to increase electricity’s share of final energy consumption from about 23 percent now to 35 percent by 2035.

To meet this goal, electricity systems must handle growing renewable energy production while keeping a steady supply, the report says.

It sees pumped storage as one of the proven technologies that can provide long-term energy storage. It also helps with other grid services like controlling frequency and voltage, operating reserves, and black-start capabilities, which help restart electricity systems after major outages.

Malcolm Turnbull, the President of the International Hydropower Association (IHA), stated that countries wanting better energy security and faster electrification cannot ignore the infrastructure needed for reliable electricity systems.

Mr Turnbull said pumped storage is a long-term investment in national energy security and independence. He added that the report gives governments advice on turning the technology’s potential into real projects, investment, and stronger electricity systems.

"As countries seek to become energy secure and accelerate electrification, we cannot afford to overlook the infrastructure that makes these systems work," he said.

The report also points out the economic benefits of pumped-storage projects. These include job creation through local resources and labor.

It argues that their long operational life could make them significant infrastructure investments for countries wanting to strengthen their electricity systems for many years.