High-pressure storage power plants are distinctive in that reservoirs (dams or dam walls) and central stations are spatially far apart from each other when there is a difference in water levels. The useable slope generated as a result enables energy extraction even in the case of small water quantities. The “classic” turbine in high-pressure storage power plants is the Pelton turbine or the water wheel. New technical developments increasingly led to the use of Francis turbines even for larger fall heads. Choosing cheap turbines is a matter of engineering, the solution to which can only be found by considering the data of numerous individual installations.

The turbines of high-pressure storage power plants can, depending on demand, be put into operation completely or partially within a short period of time. They can be adjusted during use in order to match consumption and they can be switched off again. They are therefore particularly suitable for meeting peak time power requirements.