Abstract
Energy Storage Plants (ESP) can be considered an alternative to solve the intermittency problems associated to variable renewable energy (VRE), such as wind and solar photovoltaic. This paper explores the use of closed mines as underground reservoir for Underground Pumped Storage Hydropower (UPSH) and Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) plants. Investment cost and stored amount of energy are compared in both technologies. Mining structures in disused coal mines in NW Spain have been selected as a case study to analyse the potential of energy storage in disused mining structures. Pumped Storage Hydropower is the most mature large-scale energy storage technology that dominates both the total installed power capacity and the energy storage capacity. An alternative to UPSH plants could be CAES plants, which are systems to store energy in the form of compressed air, and work in a similar way to conventional gas turbines. Abandoned salt cavern or closed coal underground mines are typically used as underground compressed air storage, giving new uses to the infrastructure of abandoned mines. The results obtained show that 130 MW of electrical power could be installed in UPSH and CAES plants in closed mines with an investment cost of about 225 M€.
Highlights
A recent study of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) analyzes the potential effects of the energy transition until 2050 for the G20, found that by that date over an 80% of the world’s electricity could derive from renewable sources [1]
Energy Storage Plants (ESP) can be considered an alternative to solve the intermittency problems associated to variable renewable energy (VRE), such as wind and solar photovoltaic
This paper explores the use of closed mines as underground reservoir for Underground Pumped Storage Hydropower (UPSH) and Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) plants
Summary
A recent study of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) analyzes the potential effects of the energy transition until 2050 for the G20, found that by that date over an 80% of the world’s electricity could derive from renewable sources [1]. The most important concern with respect to some forms of renewable energy such as solar and wind energies is their intermittence and the fact that their production over time cannot be matched to variations in demand. All electricity systems require a certain degree of flexibility services, which allow grid operators to react to unexpected changes in demand or to the loss of large chunks of supply [3]. In today’s power systems, solar and wind power still have limited impact on grid operation. Electrical energy storage provides a mechanism of decoupling the electricity generation from energy harvesting, and potentially compensating for the intermittence of power generation from renewable energy sources. The expansion of renewable energies requires the development of fast and flexible energy storage systems. Electricity storage will play a crucial role in enabling the phase of the energy transition, and it will have become the key to improve the efficiency of renewable energy and increase its utilization
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