Gerardo Acuña

Pumped-storage hydroelectric plants are an alternative to adapting the energy generation regimen to that of the demand, especially considering that the generation of intermittent clean energy provided by solar and wind power will cause greater differences between these two regimes. In this research, an optimal operation policy is determined through a simulation tool that allows the annual benefits under the energy arbitration service (purchase–sale) to be estimated, considering the variations of the energy price in Mexico. A case study is proposed in the Zimapán hydroelectric facility, where reservoir operation at the hourly level is simulated with records for a period of 3 years, considering historical values. The results establish that this type of pumped storage power plant obtains greater benefits by generating electrical energy during 8 h of high demand and pumping for more than 11 continuous hours in times of low demand. With this configuration, the PHES consumes 82.33 GWh/year more energy than it produces, and the energy generated is 210.83 GWh/year; however, when considering the energy arbitration service, a net income of more than USD 3.25 million per year is identified, which represents a 123.52% increase for the annual energy purchase.