A comparative study and analysis of PHES and UGPHES systems.
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Date
2015
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Abstract
Underground Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage (UGPHES) is a similar energy
storage concept to the conventional Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage (PHES) with
the major difference being that the lower reservoir is in an underground cavern system.
Electricity is stored in the form of gravitational potential energy between a surface reservoir
and an underlying subterranean reservoir. In this study, various existing energy storage
systems are examined with the UGPHES introduced as an alternative technology for bulk
energy storage in South Africa to contribute to the constrained electricity network with
environmental and economic benefits. The use of existing infrastructure for the
implementation of UGPHES systems is explored, which includes the use of aquifers and
abandoned mines. South Africa has large amounts of groundwater as well as
transboundary aquifers which may be used for UGPHES systems. A mathematical model
is presented which highlights the considerations for the implementation of an aquifer
UGPHES system including head and aquifer transmissivity. The use of abandoned mines
in South Africa is also explored as it presents an existing underground cavern as well as
large amounts of groundwater. Finally, a mathematical model is presented to provide an
analysis of the water hammer phenomenon as well as an economic analysis for the use of
abandoned mines for UGPHES systems.
Description
Master of Science in Power and Energy Systems. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2015.
Keywords
Heat storage., Energy storage--South Africa., Pumped storage power plants--South Africa., Theses--Electric power and energy systems., Energy storage., Pumped storage power plants., Underground Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage., Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage (PHES).