An analysis of potential STORES environmental and water consumption impacts. Water consumption for a renewable electricity system shows that the environmental impact of STORES is likely to be very small, both absolutely and relative to other parts of the electricity industry, and a transition would result in less water being consumed for the provision of electricity.
Report extract
Our analysis of the water consumption for a renewable electricity system shows that the environmental impact of STORES is likely to be very small, both absolutely and relative to other parts of the electricity industry, and a transition would result in less water being consumed for the provision of electricity. STORES sites are not like conventional hydroelectricity, where entire river valleys are dammed in order to provide seasonal storage – short term storage can be achieved with comparatively small dams, and therefore very small water consumption. As our search for suitable sites excluded national parks and other protected lands, but still found 22,000 good sites, only the most suitable few dozen would be needed to support a 100% renewable electricity system.