Pumped storage hydropower facilities can significantly outlast lithium-ion batteries, often operating for a century compared to the much shorter lifespan of chemical battery systems. According to the authors of the newly released report, this technology offers a more durable and economical way to store energy for the long term as the nation transitions to new power sources.
“PSH facilities outlast all currently available battery systems, which typically require replacement within 10-15 years.” The report further notes that for pumped storage, “efficiency does not degrade with time or cycling, as is the case with other energy storage technologies, such as lithium-ion batteries.”
In simple terms, while the batteries used in modern electronics and electric cars wear out and lose their ability to hold a charge after a decade or so, pumped storage plants are built to last for 80 to 100 years. Because they use gravity and water rather than chemical reactions to store power, they do not get weaker every time they are used, making them a much more stable backbone for the electric grid over many decades.
The report “Winning the AI Race: Tapping into Pumped Storage Hydropower” was published by the National Hydropower Association in March 2026. Produced by the association’s policy experts in Washington, D.C., the document provides a strategic roadmap for leveraging long-duration energy storage to meet the surging power demands of data centers and advanced manufacturing.
