Towards an Indicator Based Framework Analysing the Suitability of Existing Dams for Energy Storage

The increasing contribution of renewable energy to the total energy supply requires addition storage capacity due to the variable availability of renewable energy sources. Pumped energy storage systems can contribute to this necessary storage by converting electric energy into potential energy of the stored water. Since the investment costs and the ecological as well as social consequences are enormous, the question arises whether existing dams and reservoirs can be used for this purpose. This study analyses relevant characteristics and identifies suitable indicators to be used for the assessment of the suitability of existing dams and reservoirs for installing an additional pumped energy storage system. The indicators encompass physical and environmental characteristics. An impact analysis and a conflict analysis with respect to already existing water uses of single- or multi-purpose dams amend the analysis. Based on the identified indicators and potential conflicts, an indicator based framework is developed describing a strategy to analyse the suitability of existing dams for energy storage, quantifying the physical potentials of a site, considering the environmental restrictions and setting priorities in terms of conflict resolution among competing water uses. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014