A Two-Step Site Selection Concept for Underground Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage and Potential Estimation of Coal Mines in Henan Province

Qianjun Chen, Zhengmeng Hou, Xuning Wu (), Shengyou Zhang (), Wei Sun, Yanli Fang, Lin Wu, Liangchao Huang and Tian Zhang
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Qianjun Chen: Sino-German Research Institute of Carbon Neutralization and Green Development, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Zhengmeng Hou: Sino-German Research Institute of Carbon Neutralization and Green Development, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Xuning Wu: Institute of Subsurface Energy Systems, Clausthal University of Technology, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany
Shengyou Zhang: Yunnan Key Laboratory of Sino-German Blue Mining and Utilization of Special Underground Space, Kunming 650093, China
Wei Sun: Yunnan Key Laboratory of Sino-German Blue Mining and Utilization of Special Underground Space, Kunming 650093, China
Yanli Fang: Institute of Subsurface Energy Systems, Clausthal University of Technology, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany
Lin Wu: Institute of Subsurface Energy Systems, Clausthal University of Technology, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany
Liangchao Huang: Sino-German Research Institute of Carbon Neutralization and Green Development, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Tian Zhang: Institute of Subsurface Energy Systems, Clausthal University of Technology, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 12, 1-21

Abstract: In the context of carbon neutrality, the phase-out of coal from the energy structure has resulted in numerous old coal mines that possess abundant underground space resources suitable for underground pumped hydroelectric energy storage (UPHES). Site selection and estimation of potential are critical to the planning and implementation of UPHES in old coal mines. This paper introduces a two-step site selection concept, including a screening assessment followed by a comprehensive assessment, to determine suitable locations for UPHES. The screening indicators in the screening assessment comprise geological features, mine water disasters, and minimum installed capacity, while the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is applied in the comprehensive assessment. Additionally, coal mines in Henan Province are preliminarily screened through the screening assessment and the potential for UPHES is thoroughly investigated. The estimated volume of the drifts and shafts in old coal mines is approximately 1.35 × 10 7 m 3 , while in producing coal mines, it is around 2.96 × 10 7 m 3 . Furthermore, the corresponding annual potential for UPHES is 1468.9 GWh and 3226.3 GWh, respectively. By consuming surplus wind and solar power, UPHES is able to reduce 4.68 × 10 5 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions. The study provides preliminary guidance for policy-makers in developing UPHES in old coal mines.

Keywords: coal mines; underground pumped hydroelectric energy storage; site selection; the potential for UPHES (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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