Aquifer underground pumped hydroelectric energy storage

This thesis presents an electrical energy storage method designed to capture and store excess energy from renewable generating sources. The concept, called "aquifer underground pumped hydroelectric energy storage (UPHS)", stores electricity as gravitational potential energy between a surface reservoir and an underlying subterranean aquifer water table. A pump-turbine installed in an irrigation water well pumps water to the surface (storage cycle) and generates electricity from re-injected water (generating cycle). The major application is to irrigation water pumping systems when a local renewable energy source is available. Aquifer UPHS stores excess renewable energy, and makes that energy deployable for on-demand use. This concept is proposed as a viable, cost effective, reliable, and environmentally benign method of storing electricity. The electrical system, hydro-geologic conditions, legal considerations, and irrigation practices pertinent to such a system are reviewed. Finally, a case study analysis of design specifications and economics is presented.