Hydroelectric pumping station

Stations that transfer energy by pumping use the differences in electricity prices between periods of peak consumption and periods of low consumption.

The Black Lake in the Vosges is the first hydroelectric pumping - turbine station (STEP). © Drics67 CC by-nc-sa 2.0

When electricity consumption is low, STEPs pump water to store it in a reservoir. This water is then turbined during consumption peaks, when the price of electricity is higher.

This system is a way to indirectly store electricity in the form of potential energy. STEPs could be a way to compensate for the intermittent availability of other renewable energies: wind energy and photovoltaic solar energy.