Environmental regulations significantly impact the construction of new pumped hydro storage (PHS) projects by imposing detailed permitting processes, environmental studies, and mitigation requirements aimed at minimizing ecological harm.
Permitting and Licensing Challenges
- Pumped hydro storage projects often require extensive permitting that can last several years before construction can begin. This process includes environmental impact assessments and engineering design to ensure project compliance with regulations.
- The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) oversees licensing for pumped storage projects. Currently, 24 projects are licensed and operational, illustrating the regulatory scrutiny involved in development.
- Closed-loop pumped storage hydro (PSH), which is not continuously connected to natural water bodies, must also pass stringent environmental reviews, especially regarding water sourcing and ecosystem impacts.
Environmental Impact Considerations
- Projects must address impacts on water levels, flows, and aquatic life. This includes installing fish passages to preserve migration patterns and minimizing fish mortality to protect indigenous species and habitats.
- Some pumped storage technologies, such as off-channel or closed-loop systems, have relatively lower environmental impacts compared to open-loop systems, but they still require careful environmental review and mitigation strategies.
- Environmental regulations often require compensation for habitat loss by creating or restoring similar habitats nearby within the same ecological unit.
Renewable Energy and State-Level Eligibility
- Many states regulate pumped storage eligibility within Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), often requiring that the electricity used for pumping water comes from renewable sources.
- Nine states explicitly ban pumped storage from RPS eligibility, while others allow it if it meets certain small hydroelectric facility criteria and uses renewable energy for pumping.
- States such as California and areas like Northern Maine require pumped storage facilities to comply with environmental performance standards and renewable energy use to qualify for incentives under RPS programs.
Summary
Environmental regulations affect the construction of new pumped hydro storage projects by:
- Extending project timelines due to rigorous permitting and environmental compliance.
- Requiring detailed environmental impact assessments and mitigation measures to protect aquatic ecosystems and habitats.
- Influencing project design choices, favoring lower-impact technologies like closed-loop systems.
- Dictating renewable energy usage for pumping to qualify for state-level incentives.
These factors collectively shape the feasibility, design, and development pace of new pumped hydro storage projects, ensuring their environmental footprint is minimized while supporting grid reliability and renewable integration goals.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-environmental-regulations-affect-the-construction-of-new-pumped-hydro-storage-projects/
