Environmental Impacts of Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage Systems
1. Closed-Loop Pumped Storage Hydropower
– Closed-loop systems are not continuously connected to natural flowing water bodies, reducing direct impacts on aquatic ecosystems and water rights issues compared to open-loop systems.
– These systems have a low greenhouse gas emission profile, making them among the cleanest energy storage technologies and vital for integrating renewable energy sources. However, no closed-loop projects have yet been built in the U.S. to fully verify predicted impacts and mitigation effectiveness.
– Water sourcing challenges may cause delays and conflicts due to the complexity of water rights and potential effects on water resources.
– Overall, closed-loop PHES generally has lower environmental impacts than open-loop systems, especially regarding aquatic resource disruption and emissions.
2. Open-Loop Pumped Storage Hydropower
– These systems are connected to natural water bodies, so they can alter natural river ecology, fish habitats, and water quality.
– Construction requires damming and may involve river diversion, leading to risks of flooding and significant ecological changes both during and after construction.
– The presence of large reservoirs contributes to methane and other greenhouse gas emissions from organic matter decomposition, although PHES emissions are still lower compared to other energy storage technologies.
– Risks such as major flooding during or after construction must be managed carefully.
3. Construction and Material-Related Impacts
– Regardless of type, PHES facilities involve large-scale construction using concrete, steel, and cement, which contribute significantly to environmental impacts during the construction phase.
– The life cycle environmental footprint is largely influenced by the energy mix used to charge PHES and system inefficiencies, which may cause electricity losses and associated emissions. As grids incorporate more renewable energy, these indirect impacts are expected to decrease.
– These material and energy use factors may contribute 80-99% of total environmental emissions during the facility lifecycle.
Summary Comparison
| Impact Aspect | Closed-Loop PHES | Open-Loop PHES |
|---|---|---|
| Water Source Impact | Limited, complex water rights issues | Connected to natural water bodies, impacting aquatic ecosystems |
| Ecological Disruption | Lower impact on aquatic life | Significant impact due to damming and river diversion |
| Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Low emissions, among the lowest energy storage technologies | Higher due to reservoir emissions but still low compared to other storage options |
| Construction Impact | Material use (concrete, steel) significant but lower aquatic disruption | Similar material impacts, plus ecological and flooding risks |
| Operational Risks | Water sourcing delays possible | Flood risk and ecosystem alteration |
In conclusion, closed-loop pumped hydroelectric energy storage systems tend to have lower environmental impacts, particularly regarding aquatic ecosystem disruption and greenhouse gas emissions, compared to traditional open-loop systems. However, both types share significant environmental burdens from construction materials and energy losses. The growing share of renewable energy in grids is likely to reduce the overall environmental footprint of PHES over time.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-are-the-environmental-impacts-of-different-types-of-pumped-hydroelectric-energy-storage-systems/
