GIS-based potential assessment for pumped storage hydropower using existing reservoirs in China

Abstract

Enhancing existing reservoirs with upper reservoirs for pumped storage hydropower (PSH) is a promising approach for PSH development. However, large-scale site selection and capacity assessment for PSH face significant challenges due to diverse topographic conditions. This study proposes a large-scale PSH potential assessment model leveraging GIS to identify potential upper reservoir sites in mountainous and flat terrains based on existing reservoirs. For the first time, the theoretical and realizable potential of this PSH development approach in China is comprehensively evaluated. Furthermore, the applicability of this methodology across various topographical conditions is compared and validated. A case study of 532 large reservoirs from the GRanD dataset reveals that China’s overall theoretical PSH potential is approximately 9,671 GWh. The realizable potential (8,717 GWh) is roughly 1.74 times the country’s current planned and reserved PSH capacity. The potential sites are primarily located in the flat terrain areas (86% of the total storage potential) and are geographically distributed in the northwest and southwest regions (79% of the total storage potential). Qinghai Province in the northwest exhibits the largest potential, contributing 32% of the total storage potential. The maximum tunnel length significantly impacts PSH potential, with the 20-km tunnel scenario demonstrating approximately 5.5 times the potential of the 5-km tunnel scenario.