3. Development in Europe and worldwide

3.1 Global overview

Pumped storage is the most widely used, least expensive and one of the most energy-efficient of electrogenic energy storage solutions. Thanks to network interconnections, it can be pooled and shared. In the general context of the development of intermittent renewable energies (wind and solar power), pumped energy storage is enjoying strong growth at the beginning of the 21st century. This development is conditioned by the control of social factors (acceptance of construction by local residents) and environmental factors (control of biodiversity). This development is particularly visible...