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Life cycle assessment of the pumped hydro energy storage system in China

Author

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  • Du, Yan
  • Pei, Wenjie
  • Hao, Yan
  • Zhang, Pengpeng
  • Wang, Changbo
  • Yang, Yongchuan
  • Pang, Mingyue
  • Zhang, Lixiao

Abstract

Pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) is rapidly expanding in China to facilitate the large-scale development of renewable energy. To examine its environmental performance, we performed a life cycle assessment (LCA) of a typical PHES plant in Liaoning, China, and compared with new energy storage systems including compressed air energy storage (CAES) and electrochemical energy storage (i.e., lithium-ion battery (LIB)), based on the per kWh grid electricity delivered. The results show that the PHES system achieved the best performance across all the considered environmental impact categories. Among different materials and energy input, the grid electricity input during the operation contributed more than 99 % to most environmental impact categories because of the high percentage of coal electricity in the grid mix. Using renewable electricity, including photovoltaic (PV) and wind, could greatly reduce most environmental impacts but aggravate the metal depletion impact owing to the intensive use of metal resources in PV and wind power deployment. Besides that, the environmental performance of the PHES system was found to be more sensitive to the operational efficiency than to the plant lifespan. Finally, we proposed possible opportunities to improve the operational efficiency of the PHES systems to facilitate it to be a greener energy storage technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Du, Yan & Pei, Wenjie & Hao, Yan & Zhang, Pengpeng & Wang, Changbo & Yang, Yongchuan & Pang, Mingyue & Zhang, Lixiao, 2025. "Life cycle assessment of the pumped hydro energy storage system in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:331:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225027446
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.137102
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