--- title: Pumped Hydro and Dams url: "https://www.systra.com/australia/markets/energy-and-sustainability/pumped-hydro/" type: markets date_published: 2022-09-14 date_modified: 2025-05-19 schema: @type: WebPage language: en-US word_count: 1223 reading_time: 7 min canonical: "https://www.systra.com/australia/markets/energy-and-sustainability/pumped-hydro/" featured_image: "https://www.systra.com/australia/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/08/website-banner-template-3-2.png" type-market: - "Energy & Sustainability" --- # Pumped Hydro and Dams ![Pumped Hydro Dam](https://www.systra.com/australia/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/08/website-banner-template-3-2.png) **As we transition to a cleaner energy future, Pumped Hydro is not only viable but a proven form of energy storage.** [Contact us](https://www.systra.com/australia/who-we-are/about-us/contact-us/) ## The Pumped Hydro Opportunity In Australia, the Australian Energy Market Operator has forecasted that by the 2040’s, the country will need 15 GW of large-scale storage. Pumped Hydro offers a more flexible, efficient, and powerful way to manage supply and demand for electricity. For our clients, this transition provides an enormous opportunity for those looking to integrate renewable solutions and enhance the stability of the grid. We support our partners and clients throughout the whole lifecycle of their projects: - [Project management](https://www.systra.com/australia/services/project-management-and-advisory/) - [Design](https://www.systra.com/australia/services/design/) - [BIM Modelling](https://www.systra.com/australia/services/digital-solutions/bim-in-one-click/) - Tender assistance - [Construction management](https://www.systra.com/australia/services/project-management-and-advisory/construction-supervision/) - MEP Design - Independent check - Value engineering ![Hydro Power generators at a dam](https://www.systra.com/australia/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/08/pumped-hydro-5-1024x645.png) ![nicholas-mckenzie](https://www.systra.com/australia/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/09/nicholas-mckenzie-scaled.jpg) > SYSTRA is at the forefront of the renewable energy transition with some of the > leading experts in underground construction globally. For our clients, this > means proven expertise and the capability to provide advisory and project > management services throughout the lifecycle of the project. > Nicholas McKenzie , Manager – Mining & Hydro [Get in Touch](https://www.systra.com/australia/markets/energy-and-sustainability/pumped-hydro/nmckenzie@systra.com) ## What is Pumped Hydro? Storage is becoming an increasingly important part of our energy mix as it helps to secure our energy future, particularly as our reliance on solar and wind power grows. Pumped Hydro in many ways is a large rechargeable battery. With two dams at different elevations, Pumped Hydro generates power as water moves down from one to the other, passing through a turbine. The system then releases water back into the lower reservoir to recharge. ![borumba-pumped-hydro-news-banner](https://www.systra.com/australia/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/10/borumba-pumped-hydro-news-banner-1024x645.jpg) - News 28 October 2024 ### Pumped Hydro Energy Storage and Australia’s Energy Transition How pumped hydro energy storage is driving Australia’s energy transition designed to improve grid stability and sustainability. [ Read more ](https://www.systra.com/australia/news/pumped-hydro-energy-storage-energy-transition/) ## Our expertise in Pumped Hydro - ![kidston-pumped-hydro](https://www.systra.com/australia/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/08/kidston-pumped-hydro-474x474.png) - [ Kidston Pumped Storage Risk Review ](https://www.systra.com/australia/project/kidston-pumped-hydro/) - ![lower-churchill-dam-Canada-website banner](https://www.systra.com/australia/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/lower-churchill-dam-474x474.jpg) - [ Lower Churchill Project ](https://www.systra.com/australia/project/lower-churchill-project/) [See our signature projects](https://www.systra.com/australia/our-projects/) ![Borumba Pumped Hydro](https://www.systra.com/australia/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/09/borumba-pumped-hydro-banner-1024x645.jpg) - News 17 September 2024 ### SYSTRA to support Queensland Hydro on Borumba Pumped Hydro Project PRESS RELEASE – 17 September, 2024 [ Read more ](https://www.systra.com/australia/news/systra-to-support-queensland-hydro-on-borumba-pumped-hydro-project/) > > ## Delivering World-Class ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE > > SYSTRA in Australia and New Zealand bring a complete solution to the technical > problems of the modern engineering and construction industry. > Our specialist engineering solutions focus on the most important parts of your > projects and provide simple, constructable and right first time solutions to > complex problems. > **Jon Daley, Executive General Manager – Infrastructure Engineering** ![leadership](https://www.systra.com/australia/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/03/leadership.jpg) ## Our Approach Opportunities with pumped hydro energy storage technology for a clean energy future are plentiful, especially when combined with other renewables. With advanced skills in the field of damns, hydraulics studies and hydropower facilities, SYSTRA provides **[specialised engineering](https://www.systra.com/australia/services/specialty-engineering/),** [**project management**](https://www.systra.com/australia/services/project-management-and-advisory/) and risk management services for water infrastructure in the concept, design, procurement and delivery phases of these projects. Our clients recognise our unique combination of quality and creative thinking, which allows our engineers to deliver a wide set of services, ranging from feasibility studies to **[detailed design](https://www.systra.com/australia/services/design/)** and **[construction assistance](https://www.systra.com/australia/services/project-management-and-advisory/construction-supervision/)** . Our expertise in development of concept, project procurement and delivery encompasses the following areas: - Provision of [design development](https://www.systra.com/australia/services/design/) & review, feasibility and [constructability advice](https://www.systra.com/australia/services/project-management-and-advisory/construction-supervision/) as part of an integrated team to ensure a ‘Best for Project’ result. We bring real site experience, a thorough understanding of construction methods (cost & time drivers) and extensive productivity and technical libraries to the partnership; - Optioneering and feasibility studies to review underground development techniques and select optimal construction - method - Comparison of application of [tunnelling](https://www.systra.com/australia/markets/tunnels-bridges/tunnels-and-underground-structures/) methods; - [Project management ](https://www.systra.com/australia/services/project-management-and-advisory/) of specialist sub-consultants and teams to deliver the necessary technical input into the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) work; - Recommending minimum site investigation programs; - Programming and cost planning; - Safety and best practice audits & technical peer reviews - Optimum methodology development including selection/specification of tunnelling/ mining equipment; - Construction management (Client/ Contractor) including provision of key personnel with extensive related construction experience to integrate into project teams; - Methodology review and optimisation; - Interface management and civil/ M&E integration; - M&E procurement & planning - [Design management and value engineering;](https://www.systra.com/australia/services/design/) - [O&M support/ asset management](https://www.systra.com/australia/services/asset-management/) - Owner’s engineer ## Our Sectors and Services ![design-and-delivery-1](https://www.systra.com/australia/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/09/design-and-delivery-1-1024x645.jpg) _services Design and Engineering Services Read more sur Design and Engineering Services_ ![](https://www.systra.com/australia/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/grand-paris-express-france-2019-3-1024x684.jpg) _markets Tunnels and Underground Structures Read more sur Tunnels and Underground Structures_ ![Wind turbine and sun](https://www.systra.com/australia/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/08/sectors-energy-sustainability-1024x645.png) _markets Energy and Sustainability Read more sur Energy and Sustainability_ ## Need more information? 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[Contact us](https://www.systra.com/australia/who-we-are/about-us/contact-us/) [Keep in touch](https://www.systra.com/australia/who-we-are/about-us/contact-us/newsletter/) ## Check our other activities ![Urban Transit](https://www.systra.com/australia/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/09/picto_new-mobility-solutions_black.png) ### Urban Transit ![Structural & Buildings Engineering](https://www.systra.com/australia/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/09/picto_stations_black.png) ### Structural & Buildings Engineering ![Rail](https://www.systra.com/australia/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/09/picto_rail_black.png) ### Rail ![Tunnels & bridges](https://www.systra.com/australia/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/09/picto_underground-structures_black.png) ### Tunnels & bridges ![Industries](https://www.systra.com/australia/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/09/picto_roads_black.png) ### Industries ![Security and Technology Solutions](https://www.systra.com/australia/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/08/sectec-icon-black.png) ### Security and Technology Solutions