Centrales hidroeléctricas reversibles en embalses existentes, para optimizar recursos hídricos en las presas de Azuay.

Abstract

At present, Ecuador faces seasonal drought problems, which is one of the indicators of desertification processes in some areas of the country. One of the main sectors affected by this phenomenon is the country's energy generation. During the dry season or low water production, energy production drops considerably due to the great importance of hydraulic energy for the country's energy sector. The country has coped with this problem by operating thermoelectric power plants and purchasing energy from neighboring countries, so that the low production of hydroelectric power plants goes unnoticed. These solutions have negative environmental and economic consequences. For all of the above, this research highlights reversible hydroelectric power plants as a substitute for thermoelectric power plants, which represent a saving in terms of the cost of energy purchases from neighboring countries to meet the energy deficit in low water seasons, in addition to the environmental contribution of their use.