Storing energy in disused underground mine voids: comparing pumped water- and compressed air-based technologies Online publication date: Mon, 12-Nov-2018
by Friederike Kaiser; Frank Winde; Ewald Erasmus
International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering (IJMME), Vol. 9, No. 3, 2018
Abstract: Large scale energy storage is becoming ever more important for balancing loads due to increased intermittent electric energy supply from wind and solar power plants. This paper explores how abandoned mine voids can be utilised for this purpose comparing the technological and economical suitability of two different technologies: underground pumped hydro energy storage (UPHES) and compressed air energy storage (CAES). By integrating these technologies into post-closure development concepts mine voids can be prevented from becoming environmental liabilities thereby averting costs associated with the indefinite pumping and treating of polluted water emanating from flooded mines. Apart from differing in construction costs, profitability, energy storage capabilities and grid-related flexibility each technology also requires different geological conditions that are to be considered when selecting the best suited one for a specific mine.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering (IJMME):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook