Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
4
Underground Pumped
Hydroelectr
ic Energy Storage
GregoryG.Martin
CONTENTS
Introduction ........................................................................................................... 77
System Sizing .................................................................................................... 78
Design Overview.............................................................................................. 79
Literature Review.................................................................................................. 80
Small (Aquifer) UPHES........................................................................................ 81
System Description and Operation................................................................ 82
Performance Modeling .................................................................................... 84
Water Pump Turbine........................................................................................ 89
Electric Motor Generator................................................................................. 91
Electrical System............................................................................................... 92
Water Well ......................................................................................................... 96
Surface Reservoir............................................................................................ 100
System Efficiency 101
Aquifer Hydrogeology .................................................................................. 102
Legal Considerations ..................................................................................... 105
Economics........................................................................................................ 107
Future Prospects.................................................................................................. 108
References............................................................................................................. 109
Introduction
Underground pumped hydroelectric energy storage (UPHES) is an adapta-
tion of conventional surface-pumped hydroelectric that uses an underground
cavern or water structure as a lower reservoir. Conceptually, this seems a
logical and sound solution to energy storage. The practical design and actual
construction of large UPHES systems represent challenging tasks. Smaller
UPHES systems may be more easily built, especially if existing underground
and surface structures can be used. To date, no UPHES system, commercial or
otherwise, has ever been installed and used. This chapter will overview con-
cepts and design considerations for UPHES systems, both large and small.
