Development of Chinaʹs pumped storage plant and related policy analysis

With the rapid development of the Chinese economy and society, differences in the electric power system load between the peak and valley values are increasing, and inefficient small capacity coal-fired plant units must be involved in load adjustment because gas units and pumped storage units that act as peak-load units are lacking. In addition, due to concerns about energy saving and emissions reduction, clean energy sources are rapidly being developed and deployed. This presents a significant challenge for the construction and planning of peaking power solutions in China. Pumped storage plants provide a means of reducing the peak-to-valley difference and increasing the deployment of wind power, solar photovoltaic energy and other clean energy generation into the grid. Pumped storage plants represent the most mature approach among the peaking power sources and thus are one of Chinaʹs major investments for the future. This paper presents Chinaʹs current development of pumped storage plants, their role in the electric power system, the management models for pumped storage plants and the electricity price patterns utilising them. Here, we also analyse Chinaʹs future plans for pumped storage plants, including the influencing factors and related policies.