Hydropower tech that works on any terrain

The new system doesn't require steep hills to store energy

Spotted: By 2050, Estonia hopes to achieve complete climate neutrality and, in the meantime, has set 2030 as its deadline to make the complete transition to 100 per cent renewably powered electricity. Switching to renewable – and often intermittent – sources means that the country also needs to have sufficient energy storage systems in place. Zero Terrain hopes to play a key role in this.

Traditional pumped storage hydropower (PSH) sites pump water from one reservoir to another further uphill, letting the water flow back downhill to the lower reservoir to power turbines when energy is needed. But these kinds of systems require one key component: steep, mountainous terrain. The aptly named Zero Terrain, by contrast, can deploy its technology virtually anywhere, even on totally flat land.

The Tallinn-based startup achieves this with its storage solution that situates the lower hydro reservoir underground, with the second, higher reservoir sitting on land. The energy storage and generation process works the same as traditional hydropower sites, just without the need for a high incline.

Zero Terrain locates a suitable area 750 metres inside the rocks of the Earth’s crystalline basement to situate its system of pipes, reservoirs, and turbine rooms. The rock that’s excavated in the process can then also be sold to generate extra income and reduce reliance on imported alternatives.

In March this year, Zero Terrain signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Estonian Ministry of Climate to implement its solution and build what’s reportedly the country’s first long-duration energy storage project, called the Zero Terrain Paldiski. Construction is set to start next year, and once operational, the site should be able to generate six gigawatt-hours of energy for the grid over a 12-hour cycle. The company also received a grant of €1.98 million from the government, which will help it develop its design and look at expanding into other countries.

Written By: Matilda Cox