Integrated GIS-AHP-based approach for off-river pumped hydro energy storage site selection

Abstract

Pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) solutions enable greater diffusion of renewable energy into the electricity grid. However, accelerated development of PHES is complex due to the numerous spatially relevant technical, environmental, social, and economic criteria that must be assessed to determine a pumped hydro sites feasibility. With the goal to rapidly narrow down feasible sites from a large land area, this study developed a Geographic Information System (GIS) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) based technique to autonomously identify PHES sites based on a range of environmental and technical criteria. Following GIS-AHP analysis, Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) scenario analysis was conducted with a limited number of feasible sites, as well as their carbon abatement potential. The developed approach was demonstrated for the case of Northern Queensland (NrQLD), Australia. The developed GIS-AHP PHES site selection approach identified 14 potentially feasible sites. For the base case scenario, these sites could generate 366.94 TWh over their lifetime while abating 300 ktCO2eq. The LCOE of these 14 PHES sites ranged between 0.04 AU$/kWh and 0.27 AU$/kWh for the base case scenario. The developed approach has implications for energy planning managers seeking to efficiently narrow down feasible PHES sites, which are essential storage enablers for transitioning to a zero-emissions economy.