The management of power supply security of mine water pumping station

Abstract

Purpose: Growing global warming increases the threat of energy supply security in the form of the “blackout” phenomenon. Pumping stations pump out approximately 100 million m3 of water annually (data from 2023). Discontinuation of mine water pumping would expose neighbouring mines and lower-lying areas to flooding. Design/methodology/approach: For the designed database of functional scenarios of the mine water pumping station, the optimal variant was selected based on economic and ecological criteria as well as the energy security criterion. Findings: The research analyzed five technically feasible variants of modernization of mine water pumping stations. Each variant is characterized by a different degree of security of energy supply and a different level of meeting energy demand. Research limitations/implications: All variants of modernization of the pumping station provide for the production of electricity for own needs. All investment attractiveness factors should be taken into account while making investment decisions. It is up to the decision-maker to make the final multi-criteria decision so as to implement the selected variant. Practical implications: One of the challenge is to ensure security of energy supplies in the event of a sudden energy shortage. Pumping stations have some retention, nevertheless a longer shutdown time could lead to environmental problems. Removing the damage would definitely require large financial expenditures and would take several years. Social implications: The planned project of the energy supply security can have a positive impact on the local community and economy. The projects discussed will create new markets related to "green energy". Originality/value: The aim of the article is to assess the investment relevance of safety projects for power supply to mine water pumping stations. The combination of the problems of drainage of liquidated mines, the use of renewable energy sources and energy storage to improve the security of power supply to pumping stations has not been the subject of scientific research so far. Keywords: drainage of liquidated mines, energy storage, renewable sources of energy, hydrogen extraction, revitalization of post-mining installations. Category of the paper: Research paper, conceptual paper, case study