A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO POWER SUPPLY USING SOLAR-PUMPED HYDRO TURBINE STORAGE

Abstract

This study investigates the enhancement of power supply efficiency through a solar-pumped hydro turbine storage system. Renewable energy sources, while environmentally friendly, often suffer from intermittent generation, posing challenges for continuous electricity supply. To address the variability of photovoltaic (PV) power—especially during nighttime and adverse weather conditions—energy storage via pumped hydroelectricity is vital. Pumped hydro storage systems offer multiple benefits such as voltage support, load shifting, grid stability, and improved system resiliency, making them essential for future energy infrastructures. However, managing power effectively remains a challenge for renewable energy producers. This work employs an intelligent valve system governed by a fuzzy logic controller to dynamically monitor solar irradiance and reservoir water levels, thereby controlling a centrifugal pump to maintain consistent water flow and meet load demand. The hybrid system is modeled in MATLAB/Simulink, integrating subsystems including a solar array, DC-DC boost converter, induction motor, and centrifugal pump. Simulation results demonstrate that the fuzzy logic controller adeptly responds to irradiance and water level changes, efficiently actuating the control valve to regulate flow direction. The local controller also achieves maximum power point tracking (MPPT) with over 99.5% efficiency from the PV panels, substantially boosting power supply reliability. The findings confirm that the proposed fuzzy logic-based control strategy effectively stabilizes the pumped hydro storage operation, ensuring a continuous and reliable power supply aligned with load requirements and enhancing overall system resiliency