Geotechnical basis for underground energy storage in had rock. Final report

Technical Report · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5234755

Farquhar, O C

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
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250200* -- Energy Storage-- Compressed & Liquified Gas
250300 -- Energy Storage-- Pumped Hydro-- (-1989)
42 ENGINEERING
422000 -- Engineering-- Mining & Underground Engineering-- (1980-)
CAVITIES
COMPRESSED AIR STORAGE POWER PLANTS
CONSTRUCTION
COST
DESIGN
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
ENERGY STORAGE
EXCAVATION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
LEVELS
MECHANICS
OFF-PEAK ENERGY STORAGE
PEAKING POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
PUMPED STORAGE POWER PLANTS
ROCK CAVERNS
ROCK MECHANICS
SITE SELECTION
STORAGE
UNDERGROUND
UNDERGROUND STORAGE