The Mirakatec pumping-system concept is designed for integration with existing pumped-storage hydropower plants. Project materials state a targeted efficiency improvement of approximately 23% to 25%; these figures remain subject to engineering validation, site conditions and independent testing.
The Energy Recovery Pumping System uses water kinetic energy and was inspired by the energy-recovery principle of turbocharger technology. The project adapts this principle to hydropower flow systems rather than combustion engines.
Following years of research and experimentation with turbocharger systems, the project team transferred the energy-recovery concept to hydropower and developed an ERPS prototype.
Pumped-storage hydropower can provide energy balancing, storage capacity, frequency control and reserve services. Open-loop systems maintain a hydrological connection to a natural body of water, while closed-loop systems use reservoirs that are not continuously connected to an external water body.
The project targets a 23% to 25% efficiency improvement in suitable applications. Actual performance must be confirmed through site-specific engineering and independent validation.
Pumped-storage projects can face efficiency limits, large capital requirements, long development cycles and site-specific environmental constraints. Improving the performance of existing infrastructure could strengthen project economics without requiring the same scale of new construction.
CHALLENGE
Efficiency and project economics
Conventional pump-turbine systems lose energy during pumping and generation cycles. Market-price volatility, capital intensity and permitting requirements can further reduce project attractiveness.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Mirakatec is providing solutions that improve conventional PSH development, increasing efficiency as well as the PSHP industry's profit.