Purpose of the mine energy storage project

How can abandoned mine facilities be used to generate energy?

Finally, a CAES plant could be established, using the upper mine galleries for underground air storage; the fact that Lieres is a “dry mine” is ideal for this type of system. Thus, the abandoned mine facilities are efficiently used to generate both electrical and thermal renewable energy. Fig. 5.

Why are energy storage systems needed?

Energy storage systems are required to increase the share of renewable energy. Closed mines can be used for underground energy storage and geothermal generation. Underground closed mines can be used as lower water reservoir for UPHES. CAES systems store energy in the form of compressed air in an underground reservoir.

What are underground energy storage and geothermal applications?

Underground energy storage and geothermal applications are applicable to closed underground mines. Usually, UPHES and geothermal applications are proposed at closed coal mines, and CAES plants also are analyzed in abandoned salt mines. Geothermal power plants require flooded mines, which generally have closed more than 5 years ago.

Where can mine storage be built?

Now the company Mine Storage plans to build mine storage facilities in Sweden, Finland, USA, Spain and Germany among other countries. They currently have a project pipeline consisting of over 1 GWh based on the energy storage capacity of a single charging cycle. For more information on Mine Storage.

Should closed mines be used for energy storage and geothermal energy plants?

The use of closed mines for the implementation of underground energy storage plants and geothermal energy plants has important environment benefits, but usually higher operation and maintenance costs (O&M) compared to conventional systems.

What is the environmental impact of a mine storage facility?

The environmental impact of a mine storage facility is minimal thanks to using already existing infrastructure in a closed loop system. Instead of retiring mines and quarries, Mine Storage leverages the height differences that can be found between the surrounding environment and, for example, a mine.