Enhancing climate resilience and water security

The world is facing a growing water crisis, with freshwater demand expected to surge in the next two decades. With only 0.5% of Earth’s water being usable, climate change is further straining this limited supply. The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, driven by climate change, necessitate innovative solutions to enhance climate adaptation and resilience. Bringing together a panel of speakers who have played pivotal roles in the integration of PS technology, this session will address innovative solutions that can help solve both the energy and water crises, balancing energy production and water security.

The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, driven by climate change, necessitates innovative solutions to enhance climate adaptation and resilience. Seasonal Pumped storage hydropower (SPSH) is an advanced type of pumped storage hydropower system designed to store and manage large volumes of water and energy over extended periods. SPSH plays a critical role in effective water resource management. It is designed to store excess water and energy during high-flow or low-demand seasons, or releases stored energy and water during low-flow or high-demand seasons (e.g., dry season or when energy demand peaks). Its key contributions include flood control, drought resilience, groundwater recharge and ecosystem support.  

Seasonal pumped storage plants are used in regions with significant seasonal variations in hydrology or electricity demand. They are particularly valuable in climates with distinct wet and dry seasons or in energy systems heavily reliant on intermittent renewables.

Session objectives

This session will raise awareness of SPSH, bringing together a panel of speakers who have played pivotal roles in the integration of PSH technology; facilitate discussion and potential collaboration between the water and hydropower sectors; and explore how PSH serves a sustainable, long-term solution to balance energy production and water security.

Attendees will hear:

• Demonstrations of the extensive benefits of PSH, including reliable energy storage, enables renewable energy integration, and supporting water resource management.
• What the challenges are regarding balancing increasing water and energy needs.
• Case studies in regions challenged for water and energy security, where SPSH plays or can play a pivotal role to support both rising water and energy demands.
• Experts examining the capabilities of SPSH in the provision of multi-benefits, such as the long-term social, environmental and economic benefits of SPSH in different contexts.

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