Environmental Impacts of Pumped Hydro Storage Facilities
1. Aquatic and Water-Related Impacts
– Open-loop PHS systems are continuously connected to naturally flowing water bodies such as rivers or lakes, which can lead to significant impacts on aquatic ecosystems. These include disruptions to fish habitats, aquatic species migration, water temperature changes, and water quality alterations.
– Closed-loop PHS systems, which are not continuously connected to natural water sources, generally produce fewer aquatic impacts. They operate with reservoirs isolated from flowing water bodies, minimizing effects on native aquatic ecosystems and reducing conflicts over water rights and usage.
2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
– Compared to other energy storage technologies, PHS, especially closed-loop systems, have the lowest lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. Studies, including those by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), confirm that closed-loop PHS exhibits the lowest global warming potential among energy storage options by accounting for the full lifecycle impacts of materials, construction, and operation.
3. Land Use and Localized Environmental Effects
– Both open and closed-loop PHS require significant land for reservoirs, which can affect terrestrial habitats.
– Closed-loop systems, often “off-stream,” tend to impact the environment more locally and for a shorter duration compared to open-loop systems. However, when closed-loop projects use groundwater or underground reservoirs, they can have higher impacts on geology, soils, and groundwater resources, potentially leading to more localized geological and hydrological disturbances.
4. Siting and Water Sourcing Challenges
– Open-loop systems have limited siting options because of their need to connect to natural water bodies, which also increases regulatory complexity due to water rights and environmental protections.
– Closed-loop systems provide greater flexibility in siting since they are not dependent on natural flows. However, acquiring sufficient water to fill closed reservoirs initially or replenish losses can be a challenge and cause contention.
5. Duration and Severity
– Environmental effects of closed-loop facilities are generally shorter in duration and more localized, whereas open-loop facilities may have broader regional impacts due to their integration with natural waterways.
Summary Table
| Impact Category | Open-Loop PHS | Closed-Loop PHS |
|---|---|---|
| Aquatic Ecosystems | Higher impacts (connected to rivers/lakes) | Lower impacts (isolated reservoirs) |
| Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Low, but generally higher than closed-loop | Lowest lifecycle emissions among storage tech |
| Land and Geological Impact | Moderate to high land use and habitat impact | Localized, possibly higher geological impact if groundwater used |
| Water Sourcing & Rights | Complex, dependent on natural water bodies | Potential water sourcing issues, but more siting flexibility |
| Duration & Scale of Impact | Broader and longer-term impacts | More localized and shorter-term impacts |
In conclusion, pumped hydro storage facilities, particularly closed-loop systems, offer a lower environmental footprint compared to traditional open-loop facilities. They minimize aquatic ecosystem impacts and greenhouse gas emissions, although they pose some localized challenges to geology and groundwater. These characteristics make closed-loop pumped storage a key technology for integrating renewable energy with reduced environmental harm.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-are-the-environmental-impacts-of-pumped-hydro-storage-facilities-2/
