Pumped storage plants – a green solution?

Roughly 55 % of Swiss electricity is produced using hydropower – a rising trend. The construction, expansion and rebuilding of hydroelectric plants is controversial, and brings a number of different interests into collision with each other. WSL developed this diagram during a workshop attended by various experts from Switzerland and Austria. It shows which areas of our environment, economy and society are affected by the use of hydropower and pumped storage, and looks at factors that influence the use of hydropower. Alongside the potential risk of conflict, this form of renewable energy also presents a large number of opportunities.