Preliminary design of an underground reservoir for pumped storage

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 331-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasim Uddin, Ph.D., P.E. ◽  
M. Asce
Keyword(s):  
Preliminary Design ◽  
Underground Reservoir ◽  
Pumped Storage

scholarly journals Numerical study of the Martelange mine to be used as underground reservoir for constructing an Underground Pumped Storage Hydropower plant

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 51-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estanislao Pujades ◽  
Philippe Orban ◽  
Pierre Archambeau ◽  
Sebastien Erpicum ◽  
Alain Dassargues
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Study ◽  
Surrounding Medium ◽  
High Capacity ◽  
Abandoned Mines ◽  
Hydropower Plant ◽  
Underground Reservoir ◽  
Pumped Storage ◽  
Surface Reservoir ◽  
Synthetic Models

Abstract. Underground Pumped Storage Hydropower (UPSH) using abandoned mines has been considered as a potential high capacity Energy Storage Systems. In UPSH plants, the excess of electricity is stored in the form of potential energy by pumping water from an underground reservoir (abandoned mine in this paper) to a surface reservoir, while electricity is produced (when the demand increases) discharging water from the surface into the underground reservoir. The main concerns may arise from the water exchanges occurring between the underground reservoir and the surrounding medium, which are relevant in terms of environmental impact and UPSH efficiency. Although the role of the water exchanges has been previously addressed, most studies are based on synthetic models. This work focuses on a real abandoned slate mine located in Martelange (Belgium). The effects of different rehabilitation works to prepare the mine as an underground reservoir are assessed in terms of groundwater exchanges and their associated consequences.

scholarly journals Underground Pumped-Storage Hydropower (UPSH) at the Martelange Mine (Belgium): Interactions with Groundwater Flow

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estanislao Pujades ◽  
Philippe Orban ◽  
Pierre Archambeau ◽  
Vasileios Kitsikoudis ◽  
Sebastien Erpicum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Surrounding Medium ◽  
Abandoned Mine ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Underground Reservoir ◽  
Efficient Alternative ◽  
Pumped Storage ◽  
Surface Reservoir ◽  
One Year

Underground pumped-storage hydropower (UPSH) is a promising technology to manage the electricity production in flat regions. UPSH plants consist of an underground and surface reservoirs. The energy is stored by pumping water from the underground to the surface reservoir and is produced by discharging water from the surface to the underground reservoir. The underground reservoir can be drilled, but a more efficient alternative, considered here, consists in using an abandoned mine. Given that mines are rarely waterproofed, there are concerns about the consequences (on the efficiency and the environment) of water exchanges between the underground reservoir and the surrounding medium. This work investigates numerically such water exchanges and their consequences. Numerical models are based on a real abandoned mine located in Belgium (Martelange slate mine) that is considered as a potential site to construct an UPSH plant. The model integrates the geometrical complexity of the mine, adopts an operation scenario based on actual electricity prices, simulates the behavior of the system during one year and considers two realistic scenarios of initial conditions with the underground reservoir being either completely full or totally drained. The results show that (1) water exchanges may have important consequences in terms of efficiency and environmental impacts, (2) the influence of the initial conditions is only relevant during early times, and (3), an important factor controlling the water exchanges and their consequences may be the relative location of the natural piezometric head with respect the underground reservoir.

scholarly journals Comparing Subsurface Energy Storage Systems: Underground Pumped Storage Hydropower, Compressed Air Energy Storage and Suspended Weight Gravity Energy Storage

2020 ◽  
Vol 162 ◽  
pp. 01001
Author(s):  
Javier Menéndez ◽  
Falko Schmidt ◽  
Jorge Loredo
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Storage Systems ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Compressed Air ◽  
System Control ◽  
Compressed Air Energy Storage ◽  
Energy Storage Systems ◽  
Power System Control ◽  
Underground Reservoir ◽  
Pumped Storage

In the current energy context, intermittent and non-dispatchable renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar photovoltaic (generation does not necessarily correspond to demand), require flexible solutions to store energy. Energy storage systems (ESS) are able to balance the intermittent and volatile generation outputs of variable renewable energies (VRE). ESS provide ancillary services such as: frequency, primary and voltage control to the power grid. In order to fulfil the power system control, ESS can switch within seconds for different operation modes. Many times, ESS imply environment impacts on landscape and society. To solve this problem, disused underground spaces, such as closed mines, can be used as underground reservoir for energy storage plants. In this paper, a comparative analysis between underground pumped storage hydropower (UPSH), compressed air energy storage (CAES) and suspended weight gravity energy storage (SWGES) with suspended weights in abandoned mine shafts is carried out. Pumped storage hydropower (PSH) is the most mature concept and account for 99% of bulk storage capacity worldwide. The results obtained show that in UPSH and CAES plants, the amount of stored energy depends mainly on the underground reservoir capacity, while in SWGES plants depends on the depth of the mine shafts and the mass. The energy stored in a SWGES plant (3.81 MWh cycle-1 with 600 m of usable depth assuming 3,000 tonne suspended weight) is much lower than UPSH and CAES plants.

Underground pumped storage hydropower (UPSH) and its interaction with the saturated subsurface medium: effects of the water exchanges on the environment and the plant efficiency

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estanislao Pujades
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Energy Storage System ◽  
Abandoned Mines ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Hydropower Plants ◽  
Underground Reservoir ◽  
Pumped Storage ◽  
Plant Efficiency

<p>Underground pumped storage hydropower (UPSH) is an alternative energy storage system (ESS) for flat regions, where conventional pumped storage hydropower plants cannot be constructed due to topographical limitations. UPSH plants consist in two reservoirs, the upper one is located at the surface or possibly underground (but at shallow depth) while the lower one is underground. Although the underground reservoir can be drilled, the use of abandoned mines (deep or open pit mines) as underground reservoir is a more efficient alternative that is also beneficial for local communities after the cessation of mining activities. Given that mines are rarely waterproofed, water exchanges between UPSH plants and the underground medium are expected. Water exchanges may have negative consequences for the environment, but also for the feasibility of UPSH plants. The impacts on the environment and the plant efficiency may have hydraulic (changes of the natural piezometric head distribution, effects in the hydraulic head difference between the two reservoirs, etc.) or hydrochemical nature (dissolution and/or precipitation of minerals in the aquifer and in the reservoirs, corrosion of facilities, modification of pH, etc.). At this stage, it is required a sound understanding of all the impacts produced by the water exchanges and evaluate under which circumstances they are mitigated. This assessment will allow ascertaining criteria for the selection of the best places to construct future UPSH plants.</p>

scholarly journals Numerical modelling of water subsurface reservoirs during the operation phase in underground pumped storage hydropower plants

2020 ◽  
Vol 152 ◽  
pp. 02001
Author(s):  
Javier Menéndez ◽  
Jorge Loredo
Keyword(s):  
Water Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Static Pressure ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Water Flow Rate ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Ventilation Shaft ◽  
Underground Reservoir ◽  
Operation Stage ◽  
Pumped Storage

Underground pumped storage hydropower (UPSH) plants may be an alternative to store subsurface energy with lower environmental impacts than conventional pumped storage hydropower (PSH) plants. Network of tunnels in closed mines (i.e. coal mines) could be used as water lower reservoir of UPSH plants. The amount of storable energy depends on the water mass and the net head between upper and lower reservoirs. Depending on the direction of the water flow rate, pumping or turbine modes may be used to produce or consume electrical energy. Filling and emptying processes during the operation stage in the underground reservoir are complicated due to the presence of two fluids (water and air) interacting inside the network of tunnels. This paper explores the underground reservoir during the operation stage considering a water flow rate of 55 m3s-1. Two-phase three dimensional CFD numerical models using Ansys Fluent have been developed in order to know the behaviour of the air flow on tunnels and ventilation shaft. Static pressure and air velocity have been analyzed in the simulations at the exit of the ventilation shaft as well as the junction zone between the ventilation shaft and the tunnels network. The results obtained show that a static pressure up to 8,600 Pa and air velocities up to 80 m s-1 could be reached in turbine mode considering a vent shaft with 1 m in diameter. The static pressure increases up to 258,000 Pa if a ventilation shaft of 0.5 m in diameter is considered.

An overview about the interaction between the underground pumped storage hydropower (UPSH) and the saturated subsurface medium: effects of the water exchanges on the environment and the plant efficiency

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estanislao Pujades
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Energy Storage System ◽  
Abandoned Mines ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Hydropower Plants ◽  
Underground Reservoir ◽  
Pumped Storage ◽  
Plant Efficiency

<p>Underground pumped storage hydropower (UPSH) is an alternative energy storage system (ESS) for flat regions, where conventional pumped storage hydropower plants cannot be constructed due to topographical limitations. UPSH plants consist in two reservoirs, the upper one is located at the surface or possibly underground (but at shallow depth) while the lower one is underground. Although the underground reservoir can be drilled, the use of abandoned mines (deep or open pit mines) as underground reservoir is a more efficient alternative that is also beneficial for local communities after the cessation of mining activities. Given that mines are rarely waterproofed, water exchanges between UPSH plants and the underground medium are expected. Water exchanges may have negative consequences for the environment, but also for the feasibility of UPSH plants. The impacts on the environment and the plant efficiency may have hydraulic (changes of the natural piezometric head distribution, effects in the hydraulic head difference between the two reservoirs, etc.) or hydrochemical nature (dissolution and/or precipitation of minerals in the aquifer and in the reservoirs, corrosion of facilities, modification of pH, etc.). At this stage, it is required a sound understanding of all the impacts produced by the water exchanges and evaluate under which circumstances they are mitigated. This assessment will allow ascertaining criteria for the selection of the best places to construct future UPSH plants.</p>

scholarly journals Underground Pumped Storage Hydropower plants using open pit mines: how groundwater exchanges influence the efficiency?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estanislao Pujades
Keyword(s):  
Porous Medium ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Open Pit Mine ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Hydropower Plants ◽  
Underground Reservoir ◽  
Potential Alternative ◽  
Pumped Storage ◽  
Different Characteristics

Underground Pumped Storage Hydropower (UPSH) is a potential alternative to manage electricity production in flat regions. UPSH plants will interact with the surrounding porous medium through exchanges of groundwater. These exchanges may impact the surrounding aquifers, but they may also influence the efficiency of the pumps and turbines because affecting the head difference between the reservoirs. Despite the relevance for an accurate efficiency assessment, the influence of the groundwater exchanges has not been previously addressed.A numerical study of a synthetic case is presented to highlight the importance of considering the groundwater exchanges with the surrounding porous medium. The general methodology is designed in order to be further applied in the decision making of future UPSH plants introducing each case specific complexity. The underground reservoir of a hypothetical UPSH plant, which consists in an open pit mine, is considered and modelled together with the surrounding porous medium. Several scenarios with different characteristics are simulated and their results are compared in terms of (1) head difference between the upper and lower reservoirs and (2) efficiency by considering the theoretical performance curves of a pump and a turbine. The results show that the efficiency is improved when the groundwater exchanges increase. Thus, the highest efficiencies will be reached when (1) the underground reservoir is located in a transmissive porous medium and (2) the walls of the open pit mine do not constrain the groundwater exchanges (they are not waterproofed). However, a compromise must be found because the characteristics that increase the efficiency also increase the environmental impacts. Meaningful and reliable results are computed in relation to the characteristics of the intermittent and expected stops of UPSH plants. The frequency of pumping and injection must be considered to properly configure the pumps and turbines of future UPSH plants. If not, pumps and turbines could operate far from their best efficiency conditions.

scholarly journals Underground Pumped-Storage Hydropower (UPSH) at the Martelange Mine (Belgium): Underground Reservoir Hydraulics

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 3512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasileios Kitsikoudis ◽  
Pierre Archambeau ◽  
Benjamin Dewals ◽  
Estanislao Pujades ◽  
Philippe Orban ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Abandoned Mines ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Underground Reservoir ◽  
Total Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Pumped Storage

The intermittent nature of most renewable energy sources requires their coupling with an energy storage system, with pumped storage hydropower (PSH) being one popular option. However, PSH cannot always be constructed due to topographic, environmental, and societal constraints, among others. Underground pumped storage hydropower (UPSH) has recently gained popularity as a viable alternative and may utilize abandoned mines for the construction of the lower reservoir in the underground. Such underground mines may have complex geometries and the injection/pumping of large volumes of water with high discharge could lead to uneven water level distribution over the underground reservoir subparts. This can temporarily influence the head difference between the upper and lower reservoirs of the UPSH, thus affecting the efficiency of the plant or inducing structural stability problems. The present study considers an abandoned slate mine in Martelange in Southeast Belgium as the lower, underground, reservoir of an UPSH plant and analyzes its hydraulic behavior. The abandoned slate mine consists of nine large chambers with a total volume of about 550,000 m3, whereas the maximum pumping and turbining discharges are 22.2 m3/s. The chambers have different size and they are interconnected with small galleries with limited discharge capacity that may hinder the flow exchange between adjacent chambers. The objective of this study is to quantify the effect of the connecting galleries cross-section and the chambers adequate aeration on the water level variations in the underground reservoir, considering a possible operation scenario build upon current electricity prices and using an original hydraulic modelling approach. The results highlight the importance of adequate ventilation of the chambers in order to reach the same equilibrium water level across all communicating chambers. For fully aerated chambers, the connecting galleries should have a total cross-sectional area of at least 15 m2 to allow water flow through them without significant restrictions and maintain similar water level at all times. Partially aerated chambers do not attain the same water level because of the entrapped air; however, the maximum water level differences between adjacent chambers remain relatively invariant when the total cross-sectional area of the connecting galleries is greater than 8 m2. The variation of hydraulic roughness of the connecting galleries affects the water exchange through small connecting galleries but is not very influential on water moving through galleries with large cross-sections.

The Minnesota inverted-tee system: Parametric studies for preliminary design

PCI Journal ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 162-179
Author(s):  
Roberto Piccinin ◽  
Arturo E. Schultz
Keyword(s):  
Preliminary Design ◽  
Parametric Studies
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