INSIGHT | PUMPED STORAGE TUNNELS
Right:
Schematic of tunnel network and caverns for Coire Glas pumped storage project in UK
One of the primary challenges that the energy
transition faces is the storage of electrical power. Why? Electricity in the grid must be in near-perfect balance of supply and demand with only a couple of seconds to adjust or voltage and frequency problems will occur. Because of the intermittent nature of power sources like solar or wind power, they cannot be turned off and on to match demand. After all, we can’t generate these kinds of energy when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing. This has created a high demand for energy storage systems to store excess electricity to be used at times of peak, but also during the evening when sources like solar are coming offline while demand is still high. When one thinks of energy storage, they likely think of a chemical battery. But there is another form of energy
Powerhouse waterways and components Ventilation Temporary/Construction access Emergency access tunnel Main access Powerhouse component Cable/service water/grouting tunnels
Right: Typical layout
arrangement of a 3-cavern design for a pumped storage project
storage we have been relying on for years – some industry experts even refer to it as a ‘water battery’. Water batteries, or pumped storage hydropower, currently store over 95% of the world’s electricity. Traditionally, pumped storage had been used to take advantage of excess electricity produced by nuclear and fossil-fuel based plants in the middle of the night when most people are asleep. Now, it is being eyed as a sustainable solution for the energy transition, facilitating growth in renewables and providing grid-scale energy storage that supports a reliable grid. So, let’s look at what pumped storage is, how it
works, the infrastructure needed for it, the barriers to widespread adoption, and how these kinds of projects can help drive the energy transition forward.
20 | Fall 2023
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