Refurbishment of a Hydropower Plant into a Pumped Storage Facility: A Prefeasibility Study

Energy storage solutions are essential for enabling the large-scale deployment of renewable energy sources to achieve a low-emission and climate-neutral future. This paper evaluates the adequacy of energy systems by examining the deployment of a pumped storage facility using existing hydro energy sources. The selected approach is particularly promising in Latvia due to the presence of large hydropower plants and the anticipated rapid development of solar and wind power stations. We use a power systems simulation model that includes sub-models of various energy sources and interconnections with Sweden, Finland, and Poland, taking into account the rules of the Nord Pool electricity market. The optimization methodology incorporates factors such as electricity price forecasting and renewable energy potential planning. The conclusions are intended to inform high-level energy transition planners and decision-makers.