Drivers and barriers to the deployment of pumped hydro energy storage applications: Systematic literature review

Abstract

Storage technology is recognized as a critical enabler of a reliable future renewable energy network. There is growing acknowledgement of the potential viability of pumped hydro energy storage solutions, despite multiple barriers for large-scale installations. A plethora of articles have been published covering the drivers for and barriers to the widespread diffusion of pumped hydro energy storage, but the literature has yet to coherently categorise and rate the various reported drivers and barriers. Therefore, a systematic literature review of studies published between 2000 and 2020 was conducted using meta-analysis guidelines to analyse, synthesize and consolidate findings covering both the techno-environmental and socio-economic drivers for, and barriers to, the development of pumped hydro energy storage. The study ranked the significance of reported drivers and barriers as well as the lessons learned for both developed and developing countries. The top-ranked techno-environmental driving factor was grid resilience (i.e., grid balancing, energy time-shifting, etc.) and the top-ranked socio-economic driver was revenue generation and rural development (i.e., job and businesses opportunities, infrastructural development, etc.). In terms of barriers, the top ranked techno-environmental barrier was as the lack of good infrastructure (i.e., roads, transmission lines, etc.) near potential sites, and top ranked socio-economic barrier was securing the initial and ongoing capital requirements for a less understand investment category. Overall, this study synthesises and categorises the drivers and barriers to the development of pumped hydro energy storage. Study findings will be useful to both researchers and practitioners seeking to better direct resources and efforts to foster the development of pumped hydro energy in the future.