The diagram illustrates the operation of a hydroelectric power station, showing how electricity is generated during the day and how water is pumped back into the system at night.
Overall, the process is cyclical, relying on the flow of water from a high-level reservoir to generate electricity during the day, and then using power at night to pump the water back up for reuse. This efficient system ensures continuous electricity generation while conserving water for future energy production.
During the day, water from the high-level reservoir, fed by a river, flows through an open intake and drives reversible turbines connected to a generator. The turbines convert the energy from the moving water into electricity, which is then sent to the national grid. After passing through the turbines, the water is collected in a low-level reservoir.
At night, the intake is closed, and the station switches to pumping mode. The same turbines now reverse direction, using electricity from the grid to pump water from the low-level reservoir back to the high-level reservoir, preparing for the next cycle of electricity generation during the day.