This PhD research is part of an international and multidisciplinary research project funded by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe programme, focusing on innovative storage technology in hydropower. The overall goal of the project is to develop innovative and sustainable pumped storage technologies and control strategies to enhance the flexibility and resilience of the EU energy grid and support the EU energy transition. This is achieved by extending the lifetime and recyclability of components and equipment, devising operation strategies for unconventional conditions (e.g., saltwater or coal mine applications), and implementing sensor-based condition monitoring systems.
The specific focus of this PhD research is to analyze the environmental impacts of the innovations developed in the STOR-HY project using life cycle assessment (LCA) and material flow analysis (MFA). This research will incorporate temporal and spatial variability in LCA and MFA approaches to quantify circularity, local biodiversity loss, and environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, energy demands, and the use of critical raw materials in the pumped storage projects. Adhering to ISO 14040/44 and the European Commission's Product Environmental Footprint method, this study aims to guide design improvements for enhanced environmental performance. A comparative analysis of different scenarios—considering temporal and spatial variations as well as conventional technologies—will be conducted to identify strengths and potential trade-offs in the supply chain of pumped storage hydropower.
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