Name: Xianyou Pumped Storage Power Station
Address: CN

Overview

The Xianyou Pumped Storage Power Station is an operational pumped-storage hydroelectric facility located in Xianyou County, Fujian Province, China. Situated approximately 47 km west of Putian, the plant serves as a critical peaking power plant within the regional energy infrastructure. With an installed capacity of 1200 MW, the station plays a vital role in balancing electricity supply and demand by storing energy during periods of low consumption and releasing it during peak hours. Construction on the project commenced in May 2009, with the first generator commissioned in April 2013 and the final unit coming online in December 2013, marking the full operational status of the facility.

Geographical Setting and Reservoir System

The power station’s operation relies on a dual-reservoir system situated within the tributary network of the Mulan River. The lower reservoir was formed by the construction of the Xianyou Lower Dam on the Xikou River, a tributary of the Mulan River. This reservoir serves as the primary water source during pumping cycles and the collection point during generation phases. The upper reservoir is located in a valley above the east side of the lower reservoir, situated on the Dajixi River, which is another tributary of the Mulan River. This geographical arrangement allows for the efficient vertical displacement of water, which is essential for the pumped-storage mechanism.

Operational Mechanism

The Xianyou Pumped Storage Power Station operates by shifting water between its upper and lower reservoirs to generate electricity. During periods of low energy demand, such as at night, water is pumped from the Xianyou Lower Reservoir up to the upper reservoir. This process consumes electricity, effectively storing energy in the form of gravitational potential energy. When energy demand is high, the water is released back down to the lower reservoir. During this descent, the pump turbines that initially pumped the water up reverse mode and serve as generators to produce electricity. This reversible process allows the plant to act as a flexible energy source, repeatedly cycling water to meet fluctuating grid demands. The plant’s ability to quickly ramp up and down makes it an essential component for stabilizing the local power grid and managing peak load variations.

How does pumped storage hydroelectricity work?

The Xianyou Pumped Storage Power Station functions as a peaking power plant, utilizing the gravitational potential energy of water to balance electrical demand on the grid. The operational mechanism relies on shifting water between two distinct reservoirs situated at different elevations. This process allows the facility to store energy when electricity is abundant and release it when demand surges, effectively acting as a large-scale battery for the regional grid.

Reservoir Characteristics

The system is defined by its upper and lower reservoirs, which are fed by tributaries of the Mulan River. The lower reservoir is formed by the Xianyou Lower Dam on the Xikou River. Both rivers serve as tributaries to the Mulan River, providing the hydrological basis for the station's operation.

Reservoir	Location / River	Formation
Lower Reservoir	Xikou River (tributary of Mulan River)	Xianyou Lower Dam
Upper Reservoir	Dajixi River (tributary of Mulan River)	Valley above the east side of the lower reservoir

Operational Cycle

This phase stores energy by raising the water level in the upper basin. When energy demand is high, the process reverses. The pump turbines that previously moved the water upward now operate in reverse mode, serving as generators to produce electricity. This cycle is repeated as necessary to meet grid requirements. The station was designed to handle these fluctuations efficiently, with its first generator commissioned in April 2013 and the last in December 2013, marking the completion of its initial operational phase.

Engineering and Infrastructure

The Xianyou Pumped Storage Power Station utilizes a dual-reservoir system situated within the Mulan River basin in Fujian Province. The infrastructure relies on the elevation difference between the upper and lower reservoirs to store and generate energy. The lower reservoir is created by the Xianyou Lower Dam, constructed on the Xikou River, which serves as a tributary of the Mulan River. This geographical arrangement allows the plant to function as a peaking power station by pumping water to the upper reservoir during periods of low demand and releasing it through turbine-generators during peak demand.

Dam and Reservoir Specifications

The engineering design incorporates concrete-face rock-fill dams to contain the reservoirs. The structural integrity of these dams is critical for maintaining the hydraulic head required for efficient energy conversion. The following table outlines the key dimensions and capacities of the dam structures and reservoirs, based on the project's technical profile.

Component	Location / River	Key Specifications
Lower Dam	Xikou River	Concrete-face rock-fill dam forming the lower reservoir
Upper Reservoir	Dajixi River	Located in a valley above the east side of the lower reservoir
Hydraulic Head	Upper to Lower	Elevation difference utilized for turbine generation

Hydraulic Infrastructure

The power station's operation depends on a network of headrace pipes and pump-turbines that facilitate the bidirectional flow of water. During low-energy periods, typically at night, electric motors drive the turbines in reverse to pump water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir. In this phase, the pump-turbines reverse mode, acting as generators to produce electricity. This cyclical process allows the plant to respond rapidly to grid fluctuations, providing essential peaking power to the regional network. The entire system was commissioned between April and December 2013, following construction that began in May 2009.

Construction History

Construction of the Xianyou Pumped Storage Power Station commenced in May 2009, marking the beginning of a multi-year development phase for this significant hydroelectric infrastructure project in Fujian Province, China. The site selection and initial earthworks focused on establishing the dual-reservoir system that defines the plant’s operational mechanics. This system relies on the natural topography of the region, specifically the valleys of the Xikou River and the Dajixi River, both of which are tributaries of the Mulan River. The construction process involved the creation of the Xianyou Lower Dam on the Xikou River to form the lower reservoir, while the upper reservoir was developed in a valley situated above the east side of the lower reservoir on the Dajixi River. The engineering effort required precise coordination to shift water between these two distinct elevation points, enabling the plant to function as a peaking power source. During the construction period, the infrastructure was designed to allow water to be pumped from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir during periods of low energy demand, such as at night. Conversely, during high demand periods, the water is released back down, with the pump turbines reversing mode to serve as generators. This reversible mechanism was central to the civil and mechanical engineering works undertaken between 2009 and 2013. The commissioning phase was notably rapid, with the first generator coming online in April 2013. This initial milestone demonstrated the functionality of the water-shifting mechanism and the electrical generation capabilities of the facility. The construction schedule accelerated to bring the remaining units into service, culminating in the commissioning of the last generator in December 2013. This timeline indicates a relatively swift transition from the start of construction in May 2009 to full operational status by the end of 2013, spanning approximately four and a half years. The completion of the project established the plant as a key component of the regional energy grid, providing essential load-balancing services through its 1200 MW capacity. The successful integration of the upper and lower reservoirs on the Dajixi and Xikou rivers, respectively, finalized the physical infrastructure required for the plant’s ongoing operations.

Geographical Context

The facility is located approximately 47 km west of the city of Putian, positioning it as a key energy infrastructure asset in the eastern coastal region of the country. This specific geographic placement was selected to leverage the natural topography of the area, which allows for the efficient operation of the pumped-storage system. The plant’s location in Xianyou County provides the necessary elevation difference and water resources required for its function as a peaking power plant, serving the broader regional grid connected to Putian and surrounding areas.

Hydrological System and Reservoirs

The operation of the Xianyou Pumped Storage Power Station relies on a dual-reservoir system integrated into the local river networks. The Xikou River is identified as a tributary of the larger Mulan River system. This lower reservoir serves as the primary water source during the pumping phase of the cycle. The dam structure on the Xikou River creates the necessary storage capacity to hold water when energy demand is low, such as during nighttime hours.

The upper reservoir, known as the Xianyou Upper Reservoir, is located in a valley situated above the east side of the lower reservoir. This upper body of water is fed by the Dajixi River, which is another tributary of the Mulan River. The spatial relationship between these two rivers and their respective reservoirs is critical to the plant’s efficiency. The Dajixi River flows into the upper valley, providing the elevated water source that drives the turbines when electricity demand peaks. The geographic arrangement allows water to be pumped from the lower Xikou River reservoir up to the higher Dajixi River reservoir during off-peak hours.

As the water descends, the pump turbines reverse mode to function as generators, producing electricity. This cyclical process of pumping water up the valley from the Xikou River to the Dajixi River and releasing it back down is repeated as necessary to meet grid demands. The entire hydrological setup is contained within the tributary networks of the Mulan River, utilizing the natural elevation changes between the Xikou and Dajixi rivers to store and generate energy efficiently.

Why it matters

The Xianyou Pumped Storage Power Station plays a critical role in the energy infrastructure of Fujian Province, China, primarily due to its significant 1200 MW installed capacity. As a major peaking power plant, the facility is designed to address the temporal mismatches between electricity generation and consumption within the regional grid. The operational model relies on shifting water between an upper and lower reservoir, a process that allows the plant to store energy during periods of low demand and release it when demand peaks. This capability is essential for grid stability, particularly in a province with diverse energy sources and variable load profiles.

Grid Stability and Peaking Power

The station’s primary function is to serve as a peaking power plant, a role that becomes increasingly important as the regional grid integrates more variable energy sources. The pump turbines reverse mode and serve as generators to produce electricity, providing a rapid and reliable response to grid fluctuations. This ability to quickly ramp up or down helps balance the load and maintain frequency stability across the network.

Regional Energy Management in Fujian

Located 47 km west of Putian in Xianyou County, the power station is strategically positioned to support the energy needs of this densely populated and economically active region of Fujian Province. This geographical configuration allows for efficient water management and energy storage. The commissioning of the first generator in April 2013, with the last unit coming online in December 2013, marked a significant milestone in the province’s efforts to enhance its energy infrastructure. The plant’s operational status since 2013 has provided a consistent source of flexible power, contributing to the reliability and resilience of the regional grid.

Impact on Energy Demand Management

The 1200 MW capacity of the Xianyou Pumped Storage Power Station represents a substantial contribution to the energy demand management in Fujian Province. By providing a large-scale storage solution, the plant helps to smooth out the variability of energy supply and demand. This is particularly important for managing the load during peak hours, when the cost of electricity is often higher and the grid is under greater stress. The process of pumping water up and releasing it down is repeated as necessary, ensuring that the plant can respond dynamically to the changing needs of the grid. This flexibility is crucial for integrating renewable energy sources, which can be intermittent, and for ensuring that the grid remains stable and efficient. The station’s role in energy demand management underscores its importance as a key component of Fujian’s energy infrastructure.

What are the key technical specifications?

The Xianyou Pumped Storage Power Station operates as a peaking hydroelectric facility with an installed capacity of 1200 MW. The plant utilizes a reversible pump-turbine system to shift water between an upper and lower reservoir, optimizing energy storage during periods of low demand and generation during peak hours. The hydraulic infrastructure is situated in Xianyou County, Fujian Province, leveraging the natural topography of the Mulan River basin.

Hydrological Configuration

This dual-river configuration allows for efficient water management and energy conversion within the same hydrological system.

Operational Mechanics

This cycle repeats as necessary to balance the grid load.

Technical Parameters

Parameter	Value
Entity Type	Pumped Storage Power Station
Primary Fuel/Source	Water
Country	China
Province	Fujian
County	Xianyou
Location	47 km west of Putian
Operational Status	Operational
Installed Capacity	1200 MW
Construction Start	May 2009
First Generator Commissioned	April 2013
Last Generator Commissioned	December 2013
Lower Reservoir River	Xikou River
Upper Reservoir River	Dajixi River
Parent River System	Mulan River

Xianyou Pumped Storage Power Station