Sustainable energy generation from pumped hydropower

For any society energy is identified as a pillar of social and economic development. During the production of sustainable electricity there is degradation and pollution of the immediate environment. Hydro-power (HP) is one available source that is clean and renewable and which can be used to manage power supply/demand options. A pumped storage hydropower (PSH) system allows water reuse while eliminating environmental pollution. Apart from PSH being used as a huge battery, storing energy in the water of an upper reservoir until its release for instant power generation on demand, it may also be also engaged in reducing greenhouse gas emissions - a major threat to humanity. To fully explore the world of PSH this paper sought to identify potential distribution, possible capacity and current technologies involved in Africa´s five regions. This approach is common for large hydropower plants, but for this study, PSH was used with a small hydropower unit to model a hybrid power plant using a reversible turbine. Flowcode V5 and Proteus were used to design the study´s control aspect. Two floaters were installed in a PHS upper reservoir, one at its lowest level to halt generation, another at the top of the reservoir to avoid spill during pumping activity. Results obtained in this study established technically the concept of pumped storage for small hydropower project could be used to meet peak demand for a rural or farm community.