The Ultimate Water Battery: Unleashing The Power of Hydropower Energy Storage
The National Hydropower Association’s 2024 Pumped Storage Report highlights the critical role of pumped storage hydropower (PSH) in meeting the country’s clean energy and long-duration storage goals. With 43 active projects delivering over 22,000 MW of capacity and 67 new projects in development, PSH remains the most widely used form of utility-scale energy storage in the U.S.
Modern PSH facilities offer high efficiency, long asset life, and real grid stability benefits that are essential for integrating renewable resources. As the energy transition accelerates, the report calls for updated market frameworks that appropriately value the full range of services PSH provides. With the right support, pumped storage can continue to deliver reliable, flexible, and low-carbon power for decades to come.