Question 57 from UPSC CSE 2024 - Current Affairs (Environm ent)

Question

Recently, the term "pumped-storage hydropower" is actually and appropriately discussed in the context of which one of the following?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Long duration energy storage

Strategy: Identify the operative phrase 'pumped-storage' coupled with 'hydropower', which directly points to an energy storage mechanism rather than any agricultural or irrigation purpose. Exclude options involving irrigation or rainwater harvesting, as pumped-storage is a widely-recognized method for grid-scale, long-duration energy storage by moving water between reservoirs at different heights.

Key Info: Pumped-storage hydropower (PSH) is a grid-scale energy storage system that utilizes two water reservoirs at different elevations. During periods of low electricity demand, excess generation is used to pump water from the lower to the upper reservoir, converting electrical energy into potential energy. When electricity demand is high, water is released from the upper to the lower reservoir through turbines, generating electricity. This process allows the storage and later retrieval of large amounts of energy, providing grid stability and facilitating the integration of renewables such as wind and solar. Pumped-storage plants are the most mature and widely deployed form of long-duration energy storage worldwide, crucial for balancing load and managing peak demand. PSH systems are fundamentally distinct from irrigation or rainwater harvesting systems, which focus on water management rather than energy storage or timed generation.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Irrigation of terraced crop fields

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: Lift irrigation of cereal crops

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Rainwater harvesting system