Underground pumped storage hydroelectricity using abandoned works (deep mines or open pits) and the impact on groundwater flow

Pujades, Estanislao; Willems, Thibault; Bodeux, Sarah; Orban, Philippe; Dassargues, Alain

Underground pumped storage hydroelectricity using abandoned works (deep mines or open pits) and the impact on groundwater flow | Hydroélectricité par pompage-turbinage en utilisant des excavations souterraines abandonnées (mines profondes ou carrières) et impact sur les écoulements souterrains Centrales hidroeléctricas reversibles utilizando excavaciones abandonadas (minas subterráneas o a cielo abierto) y el impacto sobre el flujo de agua subterránea 利用废弃的场地(深矿井或露天矿坑)建造地下抽水蓄能电站及对地下水流的影响 Usinas hidrelétricas reversíveis subterrâneas utilizando obras abandonadas (minas subterrâneas ou a céu aberto) e o impacto no fluxo das águas subterrâneas

2016

Pujades, Estanislao | Willems, Thibault | Bodeux, Sarah | Orban, Philippe | Dassargues, Alain

Underground pumped storage hydroelectricity (UPSH) plants using open-pit or deep mines can be used in flat regions to store the excess of electricity produced during low-demand energy periods. It is essential to consider the interaction between UPSH plants and the surrounding geological media. There has been little work on the assessment of associated groundwater flow impacts. The impacts on groundwater flow are determined numerically using a simplified numerical model which is assumed to be representative of open-pit and deep mines. The main impact consists of oscillation of the piezometric head, and its magnitude depends on the characteristics of the aquifer/geological medium, the mine and the pumping and injection intervals. If an average piezometric head is considered, it drops at early times after the start of the UPSH plant activity and then recovers progressively. The most favorable hydrogeological conditions to minimize impacts are evaluated by comparing several scenarios. The impact magnitude will be lower in geological media with low hydraulic diffusivity; however, the parameter that plays the more important role is the volume of water stored in the mine. Its variation modifies considerably the groundwater flow impacts. Finally, the problem is studied analytically and some solutions are proposed to approximate the impacts, allowing a quick screening of favorable locations for future UPSH plants.

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