Iberdrola advances in hydroelectric storage with Valdecañas pumping project

The Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge has officially granted administrative authorization for the Valdecañas pumping project in Cáceres, Spain. This pivotal approval paves the way for enhancing the Tagus River’s energy potential through the innovative use of seasonal energy storage in the Valdecañas reservoir.

Boasting a total power output of 275 MW, the project incorporates a cutting-edge hybrid battery system, hybridized with generators. The battery’s capacity stands at 15 MW, capable of storing up to 7.5 MWh of energy when fully charged. Combined, the battery and hydraulic units will provide an impressive energy reserve of 210 GWh, equating to the storage capacity of approximately 5.2 million electric vehicle batteries.

The Valdecañas pumping project represents a significant leap forward in renewable energy storage technology. Designed as a reversible pumped-storage power plant, it enables the efficient storage and rapid release of large amounts of energy, facilitating the balance of the electricity grid. This process, which operates in a “closed loop” without consuming water, serves as a “giant battery” by storing potential energy in the upper reservoir, ready to be utilized as needed. Such capabilities offer substantial resilience to fluctuations in demand and generation, alongside a long service life.

Iberdrola, the company behind this ambitious project, highlights its minimal environmental impact. The project’s scope is exclusively electromechanical, requiring no new civil infrastructure and making use of existing facilities, including the Valdecañas and Torrejón reservoirs, without altering their operational levels. Furthermore, the initiative avoids the need for additional transmission network lines by utilizing existing infrastructure.

The implementation of the Valdecañas pumping project is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 200,000 tonnes annually, fostering greater integration of renewable energy sources. The project will also generate significant economic benefits, creating 165 direct jobs and an additional 500 indirect jobs, thereby promoting skilled employment. Moreover, it will significantly impact the local economy, particularly through the involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises in the province of Cáceres, contributing to population stability in the area.

The project stands out for its use of advanced technological solutions, including a hybrid battery system that enables rapid start-up in pump mode and optimizes the capacity for generation or demand regulation. This integration of renewable energies into the electricity system combines the battery’s rapid response with the turbine’s energy firmness.

This initiative is part of Iberdrola’s broader commitment to hydroelectric storage. In the Tagus basin, the company plans to construct a pumped hydroelectric generation facility, Alcántara II, with a capacity of 440 MW. Alongside, Iberdrola has commissioned the Gouvaes Gigabattery in Portugal, boasting a capacity of 880 MW and a storage capacity of 24 GWh. The company has also revitalized pumping at the Valparaíso hydroelectric plant in Zamora, with a capacity of 68 MW and 1 GWh storage capacity. Additionally, the Santiago Jares hydroelectric plant is expected to regain a 50 MW and 3 GWh pumping capacity within the year.

The Valdecañas pumping project is a testament to Iberdrola’s innovative approach to enhancing renewable energy storage and integration. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and existing infrastructure, this project sets a benchmark for sustainable energy solutions, with significant environmental and economic benefits. It exemplifies how strategic investments in renewable energy can lead to substantial improvements in grid stability, CO2 emission reductions, and job creation, contributing to the overall sustainability and resilience of the energy sector.