To minimize environmental impacts of pumped hydroelectric energy storage (PHES), particularly closed-loop systems, several key measures can be implemented:
Reduce Material and Construction Footprint
- Optimize material use: Prioritize low-carbon concrete and recycled steel in dam and infrastructure construction to reduce emissions from material production.
- Reuse existing infrastructure: Adapt abandoned mines or existing reservoirs for PHES projects to minimize land disturbance and habitat destruction.
Enhance Grid Integration and Efficiency
- Pair with renewables: Integrate PHES with wind/solar to reduce reliance on fossil-fuel-based grid electricity during pumping, lowering lifecycle emissions.
- Improve round-trip efficiency: Advanced turbines and energy management systems can reduce electricity loss during pumping cycles, diminishing upstream grid emissions.
Site Selection and Water Management
- Avoid ecologically sensitive areas: Conduct rigorous pre-construction biodiversity assessments to prevent damage to aquatic ecosystems.
- Closed-loop water sourcing: Use non-potable water or recycled wastewater to reduce freshwater consumption and avoid water-rights conflicts.
Emission Mitigation Strategies
- Lifecycle assessments (LCA): Mandate LCAs during planning to identify and mitigate hotspots like concrete production and fossil-derived electricity.
- Carbon capture during construction: Offset emissions from cement production through carbon sequestration initiatives.
Regulatory and Ecosystem Protections
- Enforce strict runoff controls: Prevent sediment pollution during construction using silt fences and sediment basins.
- Restore disrupted habitats: Compensate for ecological damage by rehabilitating adjacent wetlands or rivers post-construction.
Future Outlook: As global grids increase renewable energy shares, PHES emissions from electricity consumption during pumping will decline proportionally. Closed-loop systems, despite their water-right complexities, show lower long-term ecological risks compared to open-loop designs when properly sited.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-measures-can-be-taken-to-minimize-the-environmental-impacts-of-pumped-hydroelectric-energy-storage/
