Provision of power reserve from pumped storage hydro plant

Pumped storage plant can provide a range of ancillary services, many in a form superior to that provided with other plant types. Whilst some of the engineering issues addressed in running pumped storage plant may differ from those of other plant types, the nature of the markets in England and Wales are such that it can successfully be used to compete on an equal basis with other plant such that there is an overall benefit to the consumer in terms of the economic efficiency in the process of electricity supply. The authors discuss the provision of primary and secondary response at the Dinorwig pumped storage power station. Life and operating factor implications and market participation in frequency and voltage control and black start are also discussed