The impressive Taum Sauk hydroelectric station: how it works

The design of the original form is one of the two reservoirs of the pumped storage power plant (PSP). Unlike traditional hydroelectric power stations, such stations operate only during peak loads in the morning and evening hours.

PSP Taum Sauk has two reservoirs. During maximum energy consumption, water from the upper reservoir is discharged to the lower reservoir located in the Black River Valley. The water stream rotates the turbines of the generators that generate electricity, and in this part the principle of operation of pumped storage stations is no different from conventional hydroelectric power plants. At night, when the volume of consumption in the power system decreases, excess electricity accumulates. With its help, water is pumped back to the upper tank. Thanks to the pumps, the upper pond is filled again in the morning and is ready to go.

Reservoirs of pumped storage power plants, as a rule, are built on existing water bodies, rivers or lakes. But Taum Sauk is an exception in this regard, because its upper tank was built from scratch, and all its walls, whose height is 30 meters, are an engineering work of man. The construction of the PSPP Taum Sauk was carried out for three years and was completed in 1963. At the moment, the power plant capacity is 450 MW.

Upper tank after breaking through the wall

During the operation of the station, one accident occurred on it, which almost served as the reason for its closure. In 2005, due to a technical malfunction, the water level sensors did not work. The pumps worked in the pumping mode, and the water, reaching the top, began to overflow. A powerful stream washed away the wall, and it broke through. Water poured down into the Black River Valley and completely flowed out in 12 minutes. Fortunately, there were no casualties, and the station was decided to be restored, and it again started working in 2010.

PSP Taum Sauk during repair work

Accumulating stations are also available in other countries. These are the Zagorskaya and Kuban PSPPs in Russia, the Imaichi Dam in Japan, the Grand Maison Dam in France and many others. But Taum Sauk is perhaps the most impressive of all PSPs in the world.