Using abandoned tunnels to store energy

Can abandoned mines be turned into energy storage?

Turning abandoned mines into energy storage is one example of many solutions that exist around us, and we only need to change the way we deploy them,” study co-author Behnam Zakeri said. A novel technique called Underground Gravity Energy Storage turns decommissioned mines into long-term energy storage solutions.

What are the patterns of energy storage in abandoned mines?

The patterns of energy storage in underground space of abandoned mines include mainly pumped hydro storage (PHS) and compressed air energy storage (CAES) [, , , ].

Can abandoned coal mines be used as underground reservoirs?

Fan et al. analyzed the performance of the PHS system and the suitability potential of abandoned coal mine serving as underground reservoirs, and concluded that developing hybrid pumped-hydro energy storage plants using abandoned coal mine for daily regulation is feasible in the short term .

Can abandoned underground space be used for energy storage?

While the energy storage capacity of abandoned underground space with volume of 9 billion m 3 can reach 51660 GWh each day using IBCAES at a depth of 500 m. The problem of intermittency and instability of renewable energy generation can be well solved as long as 2.32 % of abandoned underground space can be used for energy storage.

Can sand be used to store energy in abandoned mines?

Abandoned mine entrance in Oregon. (Reference image Thomas Shahan, Flickr.) An international team of researchers has developed a novel way to store energy by transporting sand into abandoned underground mines.

Can a closed coal mine be used for energy storage?

CAES is the most commonly used form of the utilization of abandoned coal mine space for energy storage. Schmidt et al. investigated the technical feasibility of CAES in a closed coal mine and analyzed the effects of air pressure and temperature on sealing layer, concrete lining and rock mass .