UPHS

Challenge

Large-scale intra-day and intra-week storage of electricity.

Solution idea

The Underground Pumped Hydro Storage (UPHS) project aims to develop and test critical parameters for a technology that stores energy in water according to the well-known Pumped Hydro Storage (PHS) principle with a buried geomembrane, for example by establishing a 10 x 10-meter test facility.

The innovation project focuses on the geotechnical conditions and membrane design. During the project, a number of studies and analyses will be carried out of the technology’s integration into the electricity grid in combination with renewable energy sources as well as analyses of the business model using the system. The project lifts the technology from TRL 4 to TRL 6.

Development of an underground membrane that stores energy in water, under pressure from approx. 20 meters of soil. The energy is stored by means of a pump / turbine. In the long run, a 300 × 300 meter plant will be able to store approx. 200 MWh.

Project deliverables

Verification of design and production of new type of membrane as well as testing and demonstration of 10 × 10 meter test facilities.

Problem owners

• European Energy A/S
• Vestas Wind Systems A/S

Problem solvers

• AquaNamic ApS
• Solmax
• PlanEnergi
• AquaEnergy
• AU: Aarhus University