Closed-loop pumped hydro storage systems minimize environmental impact primarily by being “off-stream” and not continuously connected to natural flowing water bodies, which significantly reduces impacts on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems compared to traditional open-loop systems. This design confines the water flow to two reservoirs that are isolated from natural water bodies, limiting disruption to fish habitats, river flows, and surrounding ecosystems.
Key ways closed-loop systems achieve lower environmental impacts include:
- Localized and Shorter-Duration Environmental Effects: Since they are not connected to rivers or natural lakes, any ecological disturbances tend to be more localized around the reservoirs and have shorter durations than open-loop systems that can affect entire river systems over longer periods.
- Greater Siting Flexibility: Without the need to be situated on or near natural water bodies, these systems can be placed in more optimal locations that avoid sensitive habitats, reducing the risk to wildlife and preserving natural landscapes.
- Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Closed-loop pumped hydro has been identified as one of the energy storage technologies with the lowest greenhouse gas emissions over their full life cycle, supporting renewable energy integration while reducing climate change impacts.
- Minimized Aquatic and Terrestrial Habitat Disruption: By isolating the water cycle within engineered reservoirs, closed-loop systems avoid issues like altered river flow patterns, fish migration barriers, and water quality degradation seen in open-loop projects.
Potential environmental considerations include impacts on geology, soils, and groundwater, especially if underground reservoirs tap into groundwater; these impacts tend to be higher than in open-loop projects but can be managed with proper design and site selection.
Overall, closed-loop pumped hydro storage systems represent a more environmentally sustainable option for large-scale energy storage due to their reduced aquatic ecosystem disturbance, lower greenhouse emissions, and flexible siting potential, making them a critical technology for advancing renewable energy deployment with minimal environmental footprint.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-closed-loop-pumped-hydro-storage-systems-minimize-environmental-impact/
