Mine emergency energy storage

Can abandoned mines be used for energy storage?

Closed mines can be used for the implementation of plants of energy generation with low environmental impact. This paper explores the use of abandoned mines for Underground Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage (UPHES), Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) plants and geothermal applications.

Why are energy storage systems needed?

Energy storage systems are required to increase the share of renewable energy. Closed mines can be used for underground energy storage and geothermal generation. Underground closed mines can be used as lower water reservoir for UPHES. CAES systems store energy in the form of compressed air in an underground reservoir.

How can abandoned mine facilities be used to generate energy?

Finally, a CAES plant could be established, using the upper mine galleries for underground air storage; the fact that Lieres is a “dry mine” is ideal for this type of system. Thus, the abandoned mine facilities are efficiently used to generate both electrical and thermal renewable energy. Fig. 5.

What are underground energy storage and geothermal applications?

Underground energy storage and geothermal applications are applicable to closed underground mines. Usually, UPHES and geothermal applications are proposed at closed coal mines, and CAES plants also are analyzed in abandoned salt mines. Geothermal power plants require flooded mines, which generally have closed more than 5 years ago.

What is an underground closed mine?

An underground closed mine can be used to store energy for re-use and also for geothermal energy generation, providing competitive renewable energy with a low CO2 footprint. These initiatives aid to ensure sustainable economic development of communities after mine closure. 1. Introduction

Could abandoned mines be a potential hydrogen storage site?

There are a large number of abandoned mines in Sweden, many of them located in mountainous regions that were once a key part of the country’s mining industry. These abandoned mines could now play an important role in the transition to a fossil-free future by becoming potential sites for hydrogen storage.