Optimal site selection for upper reservoirs in pump-back systems, using geographical information systems and multicriteria analysis

The proliferation of renewable energies in the last decade coupled with their low processing capacity on the grid is bringing old power storage methods back into consideration, as is the case with pumped hydro power plants. In our case, we have taken as a reference an existing dam from which water will be pumped to the reservoir to be constructed, using surplus or off-peak power generated by a nearby wind farm, taking advantage of the potential energy acquired in order to run the turbines at peak times. We therefore want to determine the optimal location of the upper reservoir for it to comply with a number of construction and economic criteria that would make its construction viable. For this, multicriteria analysis methods will be used, assisted by the versatility of geographical information systems. The results obtained have been validated via on site verification based on the authors engineering experience, as well as on their extensive knowledge of the area studied, so that the methodology applied in this study can be extrapolated to other geographic areas, making it a valuable tool.