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Numerical Modeling of the Impact of a Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant on the Reservoirs’ Thermal Stratification Structure: a Case Study in NW Spain

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Abstract

Pumped-storage hydroelectric power plants are generally perceived as an environmentally respectful technology. Nevertheless, the pumping of water from a lower reservoir to an upper impoundment, and the return of that water during power generation, can strongly affect the water quality of the reservoirs. In particular, plant operation can alter their thermal structure, deep water mixing, and water circulation characteristics. The objective of this study is to quantify, through the use of 3D hydrodynamic modeling, the potential impacts of a pumped-storage hydroelectric plant on the thermal stability and mixing of two reservoirs in Galicia, northwest of Spain. To this end, three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations were conducted using the model Delft3D. Two different coupled models, one for each reservoir, were constructed and subsequently tested for several stratification scenarios, according to measured temperature profiles during the spring and summer season. Several reservoir minimum and maximum operation water levels were also considered. Model simulations demonstrated a high level of mixing in the vicinity of the intake-outlet structures, in particular during startup of the power plant, regardless of the water level in the reservoir. Beyond this area, the results showed a limited overall effect on stratification and mixing in the upper reservoir, owing to the relation between the inflow temperatures and the initial temperature profile of this reservoir. A more significant alteration of the thermal structure is expected in the lower reservoir due to its narrow shape and shallow depth at the structure location, as well as the temperature differences between receiving waters and inflow.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Gas Natural Fenosa for providing data and financial support and AECOM URS España for providing the field data. María Bermúdez gratefully acknowledges financial support from the Spanish Regional Government of Galicia (Postdoctoral grant ED481B 2014/156-0).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Water and Environmental Engineering Group, Departamento de Métodos Matemáticos y de Representación, Universidade da Coruña, A Coruña, Spain

    María Bermúdez, Luis Cea & Jerónimo Puertas

  2. Gas Natural Fenosa Engineering, Calle Acanto 11-13, 25045, Madrid, Spain

    Nuria Rodríguez & Javier Baztán

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  1. María Bermúdez
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Correspondence to María Bermúdez.

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Bermúdez, M., Cea, L., Puertas, J. et al. Numerical Modeling of the Impact of a Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant on the Reservoirs’ Thermal Stratification Structure: a Case Study in NW Spain. Environ Model Assess 23, 71–85 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10666-017-9557-3

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