The role of pumped storage systems towards the large scale wind integration in the Greek power supply system

In the recent years, the debate on the necessity of pumped storage systems in the Greek power supply system has started. In the current decade, the Greek power system will gradually try higher RES penetration, mainly due to wind energy and photovoltaics integration. Variability of wind and PV generation and the current structure of the Greek power system introduce technical constraints, which should be taken into consideration in the forthcoming large scale RES integration. This paper examines the ability of the Greek power system to absorb renewable power and the necessity of pumped storage systems. The feasibility of pumped storage systems is discussed in three different scenarios of wind-photovoltaics integration. Results show that for the gradual increase of variable output RES, pumped storage systems are required, but the feasibility of pumped storage systems is not proved in the intermediate scenarios of RES integration. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.