Pump storage hydropower turbines are the central piece of equipment in a pumped hydro storage plant. These machines are a specific type of reversible pump turbines, engineered for the unique demands of this type of energy storage. They are designed to operate as a pump in one direction and as a turbine in the other, a function that requires a highly specialized and robust design. The turbines are connected to a reversible motor-generator, which can either drive the turbine as a motor to pump water or be driven by the turbine as a generator to produce electricity.

The design of pump storage hydropower turbines is a result of decades of research and development. Manufacturers have focused on creating highly efficient machines that can switch modes of operation quickly and reliably. The development of variable-speed technology has been a major breakthrough, as it allows the turbines to operate over a wider range of conditions, providing greater grid stability and flexibility. The market for these turbines is dominated by a few global engineering giants, as the high-level expertise and capital required to design and build these massive machines is immense. As the world continues to build new pumped hydro storage plants to support the clean energy transition, the demand for these highly specialized and crucial turbines will continue to grow.