Pumped Storage Hydropower Cost Model and Life Cycle Assessment

Overview

The pumped storage hydropower (PSH) cost model and life cycle assessment (LCA) tool estimates total direct and indirect capital costs of a new PSH system and provides greenhouse gas emission (GHG) estimates for the lifetime of a system. The tool estimates how much new PSH projects might cost based on specific site specifications like geography, terrain, construction materials, and more. The tool integrates data from users—including assumptions about PSH reservoir, dam, and conveyance characteristics—along with other design decisions, like reservoir volume and assumptions about indirect costs.