A) PUMPING STATIONS AS ENERGY STORAGE
The increase in participation of renewable energies in the European Union’s electricity mix demands an increase in storage capacity given the non-manageable, sporadic, and random nature of renewable energies. Electricity network control and monitoring systems need to be significantly reinforced in order to guarantee that electricity demand will be adequately matched by reliable supply of energy.
The Mont-Negre plant is to become a unique part of the Spanish and European electricity system. The European Union has made a strong commitment for the development of renewables in each member state so as to become an important part of the energy mix in each country. European Union (20/20/20) target calls for a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions, while improving energy efficiency by 20%, and increasing production from renewable sources by 20% by the year 2030.
In this context, the Mont-Negre plant would have a major impact in reducing CO2 emissions in an amount between 1,277,760 Tm/year and 2,112,000 Tm/year. These calculations have been carried out in relation to 2.20 Kg CO2/m3 gas.
The Mont-Negre project has a key role in each of the three pillars of the EU energy policy:
B) FOUNDING ARGUMENTS OF THE ENERGY POLICYEUROPEAN UNION– INTEGRATION OF MARKETS IN EUROPE
The 3,300 MW of projected installed capacity, as well as the 75,108 MWh potential to accumulate energy, allow for an unparalleled integration of those member states that are interconnected. Mont-Negre will contribute to the integration of markets by providing storage means to excess energy supply in the EU as well as providing immediate electricity supply at peak hours of demand in the EU system. In addition, Mont-Negre would also strengthen network voltage stability by absorbing or incorporating energy in an instantaneous manner given the hydraulic nature of the system.
– SUSTAINABILITY
The mechanical nature of Mont-Negre´s hydro technology both during pumping to the upper reservoir as well as during release of water through the turbines, has no toll on the atmosphere as it has zero emissions , on the geological landscape – reduces dependency on fossil fuels (coal) – and even health – lack of radiation of any kind-.
The fact that the Mont-Negre plant serves as an accumulator of energy (CO2 free energy), contributes to prevent the need to use contaminating technologies to meet electricity demand during peak hours should the Mont-Negre storage plant not exist.
All these unique characteristics noted make the Mont-Negre reversible pumped storage plant a sustainable and reliable electricity supply source for the European network by being able to feed itself with intermittent energy -wind and solar -, and with energy produced by thermal and nuclear sources which run at flat base load capacities.
– SECURE SYSTEM OPERATION
The Mont-Negre reversible pumped storage plant provides an immediate response to the system unexpected peak in demand while increasing its reliability.
The capacity of the reservoirs in which this exploitation will operate guarantees a provision of 3,300 MW of power capacity during 22.76 uninterrupted hours, or 75,108 MWh.
The independent availability of 12 synchronous units of 275 MW each operating independently allows for the control of the network frequency and safety by individually adjusting the various electric parameters.