Subsea Pumped Storage Hydropower
Meeting Expanding US Energy Demands with US Energy
Energy demands are increasingly rapidly across the United States and globally. To ensure grid resiliency and meet fluctuating periods of peak electric demand, there is a critical need for Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES).
Pumped Storage Hydropower is currently the dominant form of LDES. But new deployments face hurdles, such as permitting issues, geographic limitations, and high costs. These barriers hinder the expansion of pumped storage hydro and underscore the need for innovative solutions.
Introducing Sperra’s Subsea Pumped Storage Hydropower
Sperra’s Subsea Pumped Storage Hydropower (SPSH) is a groundbreaking solution that will expand the development of ocean energy integrated with near-shore energy storage. Our approach offers all the benefits of conventional pumped hydro while sidestepping many of the siting and development constraints that hamper its expansion on land.
How does it work?
SPSH operates by moving water in and out of large concrete spheres on the ocean floor to store and release energy as needed. It can be set up independently along coastlines or alongside offshore wind plants for cost savings and additional revenue opportunities.Â
This approach facilitates cost-effective subsea LDES through innovations such as our patented multi-sphere “pod” design, localized manufacturing using automated 3D concrete printing, and integration with offshore renewable energy plants to share infrastructure and reduce costs.
Sperra’s SPSH systems are designed to be manufactured in 2 MW to 5 MW modules in US ports using locally available materials and labor.
Key Advantages of Sperra’s SPSH
Increased grid reliability
The technology will create new offshore energy storage sites close to large population centers, facilitating grid integration and reliability.
Improved project economics
SPSH reduces the need for energy curtailment, driving additional project revenues.
Lower cost manufacturing
Sperra lowers the cost of manufacturing by replacing the labor-intensive process of conventional concrete construction (e.g., formwork assembly, casting, formwork removal) with an automated, lean manufacturing line using 3D printing.
Domestic manufacturing and local jobs
The technology will create local jobs through domestic manufacturing and relies on abundant, regionally available materials for construction (concrete, steel and copper).
Protecting US Energy Assets
SPSH minimizes land use and is resilient to fires, floods, freezing, droughts and terrorism.
Work with us to accelerate the market for long-duration storage in ocean environments.
Did you know?
Sperra (formerly RCAM Technologies) was named the Storage Innovations Champion in the US Department of Energy’s Energy Storage Innovations Prize.Â
The US is the largest market for marine-pumped hydroelectric storage with over 7.5 terawatts and 75 TWh of net technical potential in the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico, which is more than two times the US closed-loop pumped storage hydropower technical potential onshore (3.5 TW and 3,500 TWh).