Underground pumped hydroelectric storage
Underground pumped hydroelectric energy storage was conceived as a modification of surface pumped storage to eliminate dependence upon fortuitous topography, provide higher hydraulic heads, and reduce environmental concerns. A UPHS plant offers substantial savings in investment cost over coal-fired cycling plants and savings in system production costs over gas turbines. Potential location near load centers lowers transmission costs and line losses. Environmental impact is less than that for a coal-fired cycling plant. The inherent benefits include those of all pumped storage (i.e., rapid load response, emergency capacity, improvement in efficiency as pumps improve, and capacity for voltage regulation). A UPHS plant would be powered by either a coal-fired or nuclear baseload plant. The economic capacity of a UPHS plant would be in the range of 1000 to 3000 MW. This storage level is compatible with the load-leveling requirements of a greater metropolitan area with population of 1 million or more. The technical feasibility of UPHS depends upon excavation of a subterranean powerhouse cavern and reservoir caverns within a competent, impervious rock formation, and upon selection of reliable and efficient turbomachinery - pump-turbines and motor-generators - all remotely operable.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 6517343
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-5142; ON: DE85000288
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Underground pumped hydro storage: an overview
Integration of Pumped Heat Energy Storage with Fossil-Fired Power Plant (Final Report)
Related Subjects
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
ENERGY STORAGE
PUMPED STORAGE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
SITE SELECTION
PUMPED STORAGE POWER PLANTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
SITE SURVEYS
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
ELECTRIC POWER
ENERGY SOURCES
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
PEAKING POWER PLANTS
POWER
POWER PLANTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
STORAGE
250300* - Energy Storage- Pumped Hydro- (-1989)