Large-Scale Pumped Thermal Electricity Storages—Converting Energy Using Shallow Lined Rock Caverns, Carbon Dioxide and Underground Pumped-Hydro

Abstract

A fast-paced energy transition needs a higher penetration of renewables, of heating and cooling in the worldwide energy mix. With three novelties 1-of using shallow high-pressure LRC (Lined Rock Cavern) excavated close to storage needs, 2-of using a slow-moving CO2 piston applying steady pressure on the hydro part of UPHES (Underground Pumped Hydro Energy Storage) and 3-of relying on inexpensive thermal stores for long-duration storage, CO2 UPHES coupled with PTES (Pumped Thermal Electricity Storage) could become, at expected Capex cost of only 20 USD/kWh electrical, a game-changer by allowing the complete integration of intermittent renewable sources. Moreover, even though this early conceptual work requires validation by simulation and experimentation, CO2 UPHES as well as UPHES-PTES hybrid storage could also allow a low-cost and low-emission integration of intermittent renewables with future district heating and cooling networks.

Hydrogen production, transportation, utilization, and storage: Recent advances towards sustainable energy

“…An example of hard rock caverns is that in Sweden (Skallen project) (Fig. 22) which was used for natural gas storage [418,480,481]. It has also received storage applications for waste management purposes [418].…”

Parametric Study of a Long-Duration Energy Storage Using Pumped-Hydro and Carbon Dioxide Transcritical Cycles

“…Aware of the urgency of addressing climate change by increasing the share of solar and wind energy in the global energy mix, Lalanne et al described in a previous article the concept of an Underground Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (UPHES) for large-scale storage of solar and wind energy [22]. The three proposed directions were: 1-using shallow high-pressure LRC (Lined Rock Cavern); 2-using a slow-moving CO 2 piston at the same pressure as the hydro part of the UPHES (pressure transmission is carried out through a membrane); 3-relying on inexpensive atmospheric thermal pits for longduration storage.…”

“…The cold pit could contain salt hydrates at a temperature between −10 and −45 • C. In the light of this literature review, a development of the concept previously published in ref. [22], but for an aerial installation, is proposed in this article. It presents an energy storage system using transcritical CO 2 cycles and pumped-hydro technology to produce and store thermal energy in reservoirs for a long-term duration (5 to 500 h).…”

An Analysis of Pumped Thermal Energy Storage With De-coupled Thermal Stores

“…Including all loss coefficients, it is stated that turnround efficiency for PTES between 40 and 70% is feasible (McTigue et al, 2019). Lalanne and Byrne (2019), also in 2019, presented a Large-Scale Pumped Thermal Electricity Storage system using CO 2 as the working fluid combined with an underground pumped hydro system that used lined rock caverns to house the storage media. A steel lining is used for sealing and then a concrete backfill structure is used to transfer the pressure forces from pressurized gas in the container to the bedrock.…”