WP5 – Civil Structure Design

In this task, representative example sites are determined due to parametric analysis. Based on new developed methodologies taking into account the wide range of geographical, infrastructural, constructional, environmental, social and financial boundary condition different sides are evaluated and compared.

Here, based on a conceptual design considering the different exposure conditions and service-lives of the civil structures as part of a low-head pumped storage scheme cost estimates for construction and retrofits as well as estimates of expenditures for maintenance are evaluated. (RPT, PTO scenario from WP2 WP3 as input for conceptual design, simulations results FEA/FSI of WP2 as input for models used for the conceptual design; cost estimates from conceptual design as input for WP6).

The unique function of each structure is site specific and significantly affecting the design, cost and expenditures for maintenance. While protective design measures have a direct impact on construction and maintenance costs, the fish screens, which should reduce fish mortality during pumping and turbining operations, will additionally reduce the fall head. Therefore, in this task also estimates of the capital and maintenance costs of these screens, and reduction in revenue due to head reduction, will be compared to the reduction of efficiency incurred by using fish friendly pump/turbines.. In this task a decision will be reached whether fish screens or fish friendly pump/turbines are a preferred technological option (RPT, PTO scenario from WP2 WP3 as input for conceptual design, simulations results FEA/FSI of WP2 as input for models used for the conceptual design; results of fish experiments for evaluation of effectiveness and design aspects of fish screens, cost estimates from conceptual design as input for WP6)

Here, the assessment of specific example sites in the partner countries from the legal and regulatory point of view with a pre-defined potential for pumped hydro power will be realized by stakeholder interviews. The assessment of sites from the environmental point of view will be achieved on the basis of MSFD scheme identifying the interactions between the ecological components and the device. Guidelines concerning the best available techniques will be produced with also a database of equipment and instrumentation for monitoring activities (considering ante operam, operation and decommissioning phases). These activities will be able to establish the objectives to reach the desirable better status of seawater bodies.

This tool will provide a validated, user friendly, and documented tool such that users, decision makers and stakeholders can draw from existing knowledge, with a well-framed parameter space (e.g. land use, hydraulic boundary conditions, topo-bathymetry, environmental aspects, and more) to facilitate co-design processes at potential pumped hydro sites across Europe.