Abstract
Abstract. Underground pumped storage hydropower (UPSH) induces hydrochemical changes when water evolves to reach equilibrium with the atmosphere (in the surface reservoir) and with the surrounding medium (in the underground reservoir). These hydrochemical changes may impact the environment and the efficiency of the system (i.e., the UPSH plant), especially in coal mine environments where the presence of sulphide minerals is common. For this reason, it is needed to assess the variables that control the behavior of the system in order to establish criteria for the selection of abandoned mines to be used as underground reservoirs in future UPSH plants. Coupled hydro-chemical numerical models are used for investigating the influence of hydraulic parameters on the hydrochemical changes when pyrite is present in the surrounding medium. Results show the role of the hydraulic conductivity and the porosity on the system behavior, which is helpful for selecting those abandoned mines where the hydrochemical changes and their associated consequences will be less.
Highlights
Underground pumped storage hydropower (UPSH) is an alternative energy storage system (ESS) for flat regions (Pujades et al, 2016; Pummer and Schüttrumpf, 2018)
UPSH plants consist in two reservoirs, one is underground while the other is located at the surface (Barnes and Levine, 2011)
Results show the differences in percentage between Sce1 and the scenarios Sce2 and Sce3
Summary
Underground pumped storage hydropower (UPSH) is an alternative energy storage system (ESS) for flat regions (Pujades et al, 2016; Pummer and Schüttrumpf, 2018). It would be possible to drill the underground reservoir, the alternative considered in this paper, which may be more efficient and have positive effects for local communities after the cessation of mine activities, would consist in re-using abandoned mines. The main concern of UPSH using abandoned mines is the water exchanges between the underground reservoir and the surrounding porous medium because they can affect the environment and the efficiency of the UPSH plant. Pujades et al (2017b) have suggested the importance of considering hydrochemical changes induced by UPSH plants. These changes may impact on the environment and affect the efficiency of the plant
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