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NEW POTENTIALS FOR STORING GREEN ENERGY USING PUMPED-STORAGE POWER-PLANTS
Pumped-storage power plants (PSPP) are the most promising state-of-the-art technique making it possible to store sufficient amounts of energy in order to secure a constant supply of electricity even for highly developed countries. Traditionally pumped-storage power plants are constructed in areas characterized by a specific topography. In Norway, for instance, PSPPs have already gained a capacity of 82 TWh, which is about 70 % of the Norwegian total annual consumption of electrical energy of 116 TWh (2008)[3]. In Germany PSPPs have a capacity of 40 GWh relating to a total consumption of electrical energy of 735 TWh (2008)[4], which is about 0,005 %. Germany not having such a distinct topography, engineers have to look for alternative differences in altitude.
Using anthropogenic altitude differences could be a contribution to the increase of PSPP capacity. These can be found in a) abandoned coal mines, e.g. in the Ruhr District, b) abandoned open-cast mining (lignite mining, e.g. Rheinisches Braunkohlerevier), c) deep offshore regions and seafloor areas characterized by steep slopes, e.g. parts of the Mediterranean Sea. Additionally geothermal energy can be used in coal mines to maximize efficiency and also ECBM (Enhanced Coal Bed Methane) techniques using microorganisms can be applied.
Localisation, quantification and technical aspects of realisation of these so called sub-surface pumped-storage power plants are the main aims of a multidisciplinary cooperation of the University of Duisburg-Essen and the Ruhr-University Bochum. The research project is funded by the Meractor Research Center Ruhr, an initiative of the Stiftung Mercator and the Universitätsallianz Metropole Ruhr.