HYDROMINE – Pumped HYDROelectric Storage in post MINEd areas to support regional net-zero emission energy systems development
Project duration: 01.01.2025 – 31.12.2027
Total project value: €2,301,729.68
Programme: ERANET-CETP-HYDROMINE
Project number (ID): 101069750
In summary, the main objectives of the project are as follows.
– Construction and testing of small Pumped Hydroelectric Storage demonstrator in mining areas. The most reasonable construction, considering economic aspects, that can be used for PHS in small and medium size scale is design of the dedicated PAT unit (pump as turbine),
– Development of a series of highly efficient PAT units that work both as a pump and a generator.
– Development of a database of possible locations of other similar installations along with the forecasted their power and capacity.
– Creating guidelines for duplication of the solution in other areas.
Energy storage plays a major role in the transition towards the use of renewable energy sources (RES) to obtain a net-zero emission energy generation systems. The lack of effective solutions in demanded capacity is currently one of the main issue in this transition. The ultimate goal of the project, which is in line with CETP3032 call goals is to support the development and optimization of an integrated European net-zero emissions energy system by multiple small and medium size, cost effective and efficient Pumped Hydroelectric Storages (PHS) located in post-mining and quarries sites and other convenient locations, offering significant environmental benefits. There are more than 100,000 of abandoned and 8,000 flooded quarries and mine sites in Europe, which are potential places of project results application. This potential for proposed PHS technology will be evaluated and benchmarked. For the proposed small and medium size PHS technology, authors aim to develop high efficient pumps operating in reversible PAT mode (pump as turbine). For this purpose numerical simulations and experimental tests on the small scale technology demonstrator will be carried out to obtain high efficiency in pump and turbine mode of dedicated hydro-electric solutions. As a result design recommendations for a series of highly efficient PAT units that for small and medium PHS applications will be developed. Such approach will overcome high-cost capital price of more complex traditional PHS turbines. An important part of the project is new technology development using ecological and recycled materials for pipeline connecting PHS reservoirs to reduce negative impact of the pipeline production on the environment.
The expected outcomes of the project are as follows:
- Database of potential of European post-mining and quarries sites for small and medium scale PHS energy storage implementation.
- Efficient and cost effective small and medium size Pumped Hydroelectric Storage technology (type of series) that can be installed in post-mining and quarries sites and other convenient locations.
- Benchmarking and evaluation of proposed small and medium size PHS technology by developing and testing demonstrator.
- Development of a comprehensive tool to assess the potential of post-mining and quarries sites and other convenient locations for the developed small and medium size PHS technology.
This research was funded by the CETPartnership, under the Joint Call 2023. The CETPartnership’ s research projects are co-funded by the European Commission (Grant Agreement No. 101069750) and the national funding organizations listed on the CETPartnership website.