The location of a pumped hydro storage (PHS) facility significantly impacts its environmental footprint primarily through factors related to local ecosystem disruption, reservoir construction, and energy grid integration.
Environmental Footprint Factors Related to Location
Ecosystem Alteration and Reservoir Construction
- The construction of reservoirs and dams for PHS can alter local ecosystems, including changes to land use, aquatic habitats, and biodiversity. These impacts depend greatly on the surrounding environmental sensitivity and whether natural water bodies are involved. Facilities that require large-scale flooding or alteration of natural waterways have more substantial environmental footprints.
- Closed-loop pumped storage systems, which are not connected to existing rivers or streams and use artificially created reservoirs, can minimize these ecological disturbances by avoiding interference with natural water flows.
Materials and Construction Impacts
- Environmental impacts from the construction phase mainly stem from the use of materials like concrete, steel, and cement, which have significant embodied carbon and environmental costs. The scale and complexity of the site, influenced by location topography and geology, can affect the quantity of these materials needed.
- Mountainous or hilly regions with natural elevation differences can reduce the need for extensive construction compared to flat areas, potentially lowering the footprint.
Electric Grid and Energy Source Context
- The environmental burden from PHS also depends on the electricity grid mix at the location. The greenhouse gas emissions linked to PHS operation are influenced by the carbon intensity of the electricity used during pumping cycles. Locations with cleaner grids reduce the overall emissions of PHS operations.
- As renewable energy penetration increases in the local grid, the relative environmental impact of PHS declines, making siting near renewable-rich areas beneficial.
Summary
| Location Factor | Environmental Impact Influence |
|---|---|
| Natural water bodies vs. closed-loop reservoirs | Closed-loop systems reduce ecosystem disruption |
| Topography (elevation differences) | Natural elevation can reduce construction material needs |
| Local ecosystem sensitivity | Higher sensitivity leads to greater ecological impacts |
| Grid energy mix | Cleaner grids lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions |
| Scale and construction complexity | Larger, more complex sites increase embodied material impacts |
In conclusion, selecting a location for pumped hydro storage that avoids natural waterway interference, leverages natural elevation to minimize construction, and is integrated with a low-carbon electricity grid can substantially reduce its environmental footprint. Closed-loop designs isolated from rivers are particularly advantageous in minimizing ecological disturbance while maintaining low lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-the-location-of-a-pumped-hydro-storage-facility-impact-its-environmental-footprint/
