Geotechnical basis for underground energy storage in had rock. Final report
Underground pumped hydroelectric storage requires the excavation of caverns in hard rock. Hard rock caverns, also, are one option for compressed air storage. Preliminary design studies for both technologies at a specific site in Maryland were completed recently by EPRI, DOE, and the Potomac Electric Power Company. The present report deals with the geotechnical aspects of these storage systems from a generic viewpoint. Because both technologies are virtually new to the electric utility industry, information about effective use of hard rock openings, including tunnels and shafts, comes mainly from other types of underground projects. These are power houses for hydroelectric and conventional pumped storage schemes, as well as transportation facilities and mines. Rock strength, support, instrumentation, costs, management, and experimental work are among the items considered in the report. Mapping of geologic structures, rock fragmentation, and rock mass properties is also discussed. The general conclusions are that rock types favorable for underground energy storage are present at suitable depths in many areas and that they can be identified by adequate geotechnical exploration prior to detailed design. Review of the documentary evidence in rock mechanics and related fields indicates that construction can meet reasonable time and cost schedules and that operation of the underground openings should be on a maintenance-free, near-permanent basis.
- Research Organization:
- Massachusetts Univ., Amherst (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5234755
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-EM-2260; ON: DE82903307
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of document are illegible
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
42 ENGINEERING
COMPRESSED AIR STORAGE POWER PLANTS
SITE SELECTION
PUMPED STORAGE POWER PLANTS
ROCK CAVERNS
CONSTRUCTION
COST
DESIGN
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
EXCAVATION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
OFF-PEAK ENERGY STORAGE
ROCK MECHANICS
UNDERGROUND
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
CAVITIES
ENERGY STORAGE
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
LEVELS
MECHANICS
PEAKING POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
STORAGE
250200* - Energy Storage- Compressed & Liquified Gas
250300 - Energy Storage- Pumped Hydro- (-1989)
422000 - Engineering- Mining & Underground Engineering- (1980-)