Solar Photovoltaic Energy and Pumped Hydro Storage System Coupling in Southern Countries

This chapter reviews the coupling of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy generation with pumped hydro energy storage power (PHES) plants in Southern countries, particularly on African countries and Brazil projects. The complementary between PV and hydraulic power plants (HPP) as a hybrid energy generation and storage systems are analyzed through the reviewed studies. In Africa some proposed new hybrid renewable are presented. In Brazil the projects with floating PV panels are analyzed in view of the large potential for this application. Finally, a hybrid PV-PHES plant using the civil structures of an existing lock canal from the Tucuruí power plant is discussed in detail. This project represents an interesting application of a low-cost hybrid PV-PHES power plant