EGU24-18817, updated on 11 Mar 2024
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-18817
EGU General Assembly 2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Analysis of socio-economic footprint for hybrid pumped hydropower storage of excess energy in open-pit coal mines

Mariusz Kruczek1, Krzysztof Kapusta1, Thomas Kempka2,3, Priscilla Ernst2, Nikolaos Koukouzas4, Jaroslaw Darmosz5, Christos Roumpos6, Tomas Fernandez-Steeger7, and the and the ATLANTIS project partners*
Mariusz Kruczek et al.
  • 1Central Mining Institute - National Research Institute, Katowice, Poland (mkruczek@gig.eu)
  • 2GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany
  • 3University of Potsdam, Institute of Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany
  • 4Centre for Research and Technology, Hellas (CERTH), Marousi, Greece
  • 5PGE Górnictwo i Energetyka Konwencjonalna S.A. Bełchatów, Poland
  • 6Public Power Corporation of Greece, Athens, Greece
  • 7Technische Universität Berlin, Institute of Applied Geosciences, Engineering Geology, Berlin, Germany
  • *A full list of authors appears at the end of the abstract

The transformation of coal regions into sustainable energy landscapes is a strategic aspect of the European Union's initiatives. This article is dedicated to the socio-economic impact of establishing hybrid pumped hydro storage (HPHS) systems in transitioning open-pit coal mines. The solutions analyzed are part of the ATLANTIS project, which aims to utilize the unique regional benefits these areas offer for HPHS implementation.

These coal regions, currently undergoing transformation, present distinct advantages for HPHS system deployment. Their existing infrastructure, coupled with the potential for integration with renewable energy sources, makes them ideal sites for sustainable energy projects. The ATLANTIS project enables the identification and assessment of these attributes to maximize both economic and socio-economic benefits, enhancing the value of these regions beyond their traditional mining roles.

A crucial element of this research is the quantification of the enhanced socio-economic footprint resulting from the HPHS system implementation. This includes a detailed analysis of how repurposing former coal mines into energy storage facilities can lead to broader economic revitalization and socio-economic development. The study examines the potential for job creation, stimulation of local economies, and overall improvement in community well-being.

By utilizing a comprehensive approach that incorporates regional economic, demographic, and market data, this article offers a holistic view of the socio-economic benefits of HPHS systems. It aims to provide valuable insights to policymakers, energy sector stakeholders, and affected communities, underscoring the potential of repurposed mining landscapes in the transition towards a more sustainable energy future.

The present study has received funding from the Research Fund for Coal and Steel—2020, under grant agreement No. 101034022 (ATLANTIS). 

and the ATLANTIS project partners:

Małgorzata Markowska (1), Karolina Jąderko-Skubis (1), Wioleta Basa (1), Elena Chabab (2), Christopher Otto (2), Tobias Schnepper (2), Konstantina Pyrgaki (4), Pavlos Krassakis (4), Evangelia Zygouri (4), Andreas Karavias (4), Robert Chałupka (5), Sylwester Drozdowski (5), Dariusz Kowalczyk (5), Gabriel Węgrzyn (5), Dorota Orkisz (5), Dariusz Najgebauer (5), Georgios Louloudis (6), Eleni Mertiri (6), Petros Kostaridis (6), Vlassis Andreou (6), Aikaterini Servou (6), Nikolaos Paraskevis (6), Anika Braun (7), Ershad Ud Dowlah Pahlowan (7), Katrin Dohmen (7)

How to cite: Kruczek, M., Kapusta, K., Kempka, T., Ernst, P., Koukouzas, N., Darmosz, J., Roumpos, C., and Fernandez-Steeger, T. and the and the ATLANTIS project partners: Analysis of socio-economic footprint for hybrid pumped hydropower storage of excess energy in open-pit coal mines, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-18817, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-18817, 2024.