Continental-scale assessment of micro-pumped hydro energy storage using agricultural reservoirs

Gilmore, N; Britz, T; Maartensson, E; Orbegoso-Jordan, C; Schroder, S; Malerba, M

Continental-scale assessment of micro-pumped hydro energy storage using agricultural reservoirs

Gilmore, N Britz, T Maartensson, E Orbegoso-Jordan, C Schroder, S Malerba, M

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Publisher:: ELSEVIER SCI LTD
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Applied Energy, 2023, 349
Issue Date:: 2023-11-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Gilmore, N
dc.contributor.author	Britz, T
dc.contributor.author	Maartensson, E
dc.contributor.author	Orbegoso-Jordan, C
dc.contributor.author	Schroder, S
dc.contributor.author	Malerba, M
dc.date.accessioned	2024-04-19T21:11:27Z
dc.date.available	2024-04-19T21:11:27Z
dc.date.issued	2023-11-01
dc.identifier.citation	Applied Energy, 2023, 349
dc.identifier.issn	0306-2619
dc.identifier.issn	1872-9118
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/178112
dc.description.abstract	The transition to low-carbon power systems necessitates cost-effective energy storage solutions. This study provides the first continental-scale assessment of micro-pumped hydro energy storage and proposes using agricultural reservoirs (farm dams) to significantly reduce construction costs. The continent of Australia is used as a representative case study for other arid and temperate regions internationally. From a new survey of its 1.7 million farm dams, we identified 30,295 promising pumped hydro sites in dam-to-dam and dam-to-river reservoir configurations. The average site had nearby reservoirs (132 m) with a high head height (32 m) and substantial discharge capacity (52 kWh). We then benchmarked a representative micro-pumped hydro site to a commercially available lithium-ion battery for a solar-powered irrigation system. Despite a low discharge efficiency (68%), pumped hydro storage was 30% less expensive (0.215 USD/kWh) for larger single-cycle loads (∼41 kWh/day) due to its high storage capacity. By capitalising on existing farm dams, micro-pumped hydro energy storage may support the uptake of reliable, low-carbon power systems in agricultural communities.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	ELSEVIER SCI LTD
dc.relation.ispartof	Applied Energy
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.121715
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	09 Engineering, 14 Economics
dc.subject.classification	Energy
dc.subject.classification	33 Built environment and design
dc.subject.classification	38 Economics
dc.subject.classification	40 Engineering
dc.title	Continental-scale assessment of micro-pumped hydro energy storage using agricultural reservoirs
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	349
utslib.for	09 Engineering
utslib.for	14 Economics
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2024-04-19T21:11:22Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	349

Abstract:

The transition to low-carbon power systems necessitates cost-effective energy storage solutions. This study provides the first continental-scale assessment of micro-pumped hydro energy storage and proposes using agricultural reservoirs (farm dams) to significantly reduce construction costs. The continent of Australia is used as a representative case study for other arid and temperate regions internationally. From a new survey of its 1.7 million farm dams, we identified 30,295 promising pumped hydro sites in dam-to-dam and dam-to-river reservoir configurations. The average site had nearby reservoirs (132 m) with a high head height (32 m) and substantial discharge capacity (52 kWh). We then benchmarked a representative micro-pumped hydro site to a commercially available lithium-ion battery for a solar-powered irrigation system. Despite a low discharge efficiency (68%), pumped hydro storage was 30% less expensive (0.215 USD/kWh) for larger single-cycle loads (∼41 kWh/day) due to its high storage capacity. By capitalising on existing farm dams, micro-pumped hydro energy storage may support the uptake of reliable, low-carbon power systems in agricultural communities.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/178112