Overview
Hoping to become the first climate-neutral continent, Europe has big ambitions for renewable energy: in 2020, just over one-fifth came from renewable sources but in May 2023, the European Commission increased its 2030 renewables target from 40% to 45%.
Pumped storage turbines from GE Vernova will help the Nant de Drance hydropower plant provide the same energy storage capacity as 400,000 electric car batteries at the flick of a switch by storing extra energy to be used when needed.
Outcomes
renewable energy goal for 2030
variable speed pump-turbines
turbines stored underground
Pumped storage hydropower plants, which have been around for over a century, are particularly important for renewable energy because wind and solar rely heavily on the weather and don’t provide a consistent power supply. With variable speed pump-turbines, plant operators can take energy from the grid when there is too much and generate it again when it’s needed.
The massive project took 14 years to complete. Around 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) of subterranean tunnels were excavated through the Alps while the six turbines are stored 600 meters (1970 feet) below ground, in a giant cavern the length of two football fields.
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