GE Vernova Commissions First Variable-Speed Pumped Storage

GE Vernova Inc. has announced that it has commissioned the first of four 250-megawatt (MW) variable speed units at THDC India Limited’s Tehri Pumped Storage Hydropower Plant, part of the Tehri Hydropower Complex. With this 1 gigawatt (GW) expansion, the complex will reach 2.4 GW of generating capacity and become India’s largest hydropower complex. The project’s reservoir will also help provide support with irrigation and drinking water during non-monsoon periods to the state of Uttarakhand, where it is located.

“With this project, Tehri will become India’s first power plant to use variable speed pumped storage technology and the country’s most modern hydropower station. With fast transition between the turbine and pump operation, the four new units are expected to enable power control, leading to significantly improved grid flexibility. These are all crucial capabilities as more renewables are integrated into the country’s energy mix.”

– Frederic Ribieras, CEO of GE Vernova’s hydropower business.

Hydropower remains a cornerstone of India’s renewable energy landscape, with an installed capacity of approximately 51 GW as of early 2024, positioning the nation as fifth globally in hydroelectric capacity.

Pumped storage units help stabilize the grid by acting as giant batteries: water is pumped from the lower to the upper reservoir in times of surplus energy, and in times of demand, water from the upper reservoir is released, generating electricity as the water passes through the turbine. This technology is the largest source of long-duration energy storage globally, representing about 94% of total energy storage capacity.

For this project, GE Vernova capitalizes on its broad portfolio of technologies to generate, transfer and store power to deliver a full water-to-wire solution, spanning from electrical and hydraulic machines to converters. The project includes the integration of the four doubly fed induction motor generators and the associated pump turbines with the power electronics and control systems.

The Tehri Hydropower Complex includes

The 1 GW Tehri Hydropower Plant was commissioned in 2006.
The 400 MW Koteshwar Hydropower Plant was commissioned in 2012.
1 GW Tehri Pumped Storage Hydropower Plant, where GE Vernova is currently delivering four 250 MW.
Pumped Storage Variable Speed Doubly Fed Systems.

GE Vernova has a substantial presence in India across generation, transmission and distribution. The company has five Technology and Engineering Centers focused on advancing research, development and innovation in new technologies and solutions. Additionally, the company operates 11 manufacturing sites that are undertaking local production and generating employment. The company’s workforce in India comprises over 10,000 employees, including more than 3,000 engineers and technologists.