Potential Application of RES and Underground H<sub>2</sub> Storage in Abandoned Mines

Mining operations, as with all industrial operations, have a significant impact on the environment both through the generation of waste and through landscape change. In view of this, pioneering and sustainable post-mining technologies are demanded to reduce environmental impact. Clean energy can be...

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Main Authors: Antonis Peppas, Sotiris Kottaridis, Chrysa Politi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-11-01
Series:Materials Proceedings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4605/15/1/30
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author Antonis Peppas
Sotiris Kottaridis
Chrysa Politi
author_facet Antonis Peppas
Sotiris Kottaridis
Chrysa Politi
author_sort Antonis Peppas
collection DOAJ
description Mining operations, as with all industrial operations, have a significant impact on the environment both through the generation of waste and through landscape change. In view of this, pioneering and sustainable post-mining technologies are demanded to reduce environmental impact. Clean energy can be part of the solution, with emphasis on the penetration of renewable energy sources (RES) for the mitigation of greenhouse gases. RES production is inherently fluctuating, at times being insufficient while others creating energy surpluses. Converting a mining site into a parallel renewable energy generation facility can provide new job opportunities and economic value, as well as contribute to a more secure energy supply. Abandoned mines present a viable option for the installation of such systems, exploiting their underground facilities for safe storage. In this regard, the underground facilities can be exploited for green hydrogen (H<sub>2</sub>) energy storage systems to be used on-site in times of RES deficits. Underground H<sub>2</sub> storage has many advantages over surface storage, including safer storage, smaller footprints, a larger storage capacity, and a lower cost. The re-use of pre-existing infrastructure and land availability for deploying solar parks also offers innovative ways to generate clean energy. This study examines the potential of repurposing abandoned mines in the form of renewable energy generation facilities in order to improve their environmental impact and move quickly towards sustainable and innovative mining throughout Europe.
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spelling doaj-art-0e62c41208aa4cf6abc67b08b05bc9492025-08-20T03:27:37ZengMDPI AGMaterials Proceedings2673-46052023-11-011513010.3390/materproc2023015030Potential Application of RES and Underground H<sub>2</sub> Storage in Abandoned MinesAntonis Peppas0Sotiris Kottaridis1Chrysa Politi2School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), 15780 Athens, GreeceSchool of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), 15780 Athens, GreeceSchool of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), 15780 Athens, GreeceMining operations, as with all industrial operations, have a significant impact on the environment both through the generation of waste and through landscape change. In view of this, pioneering and sustainable post-mining technologies are demanded to reduce environmental impact. Clean energy can be part of the solution, with emphasis on the penetration of renewable energy sources (RES) for the mitigation of greenhouse gases. RES production is inherently fluctuating, at times being insufficient while others creating energy surpluses. Converting a mining site into a parallel renewable energy generation facility can provide new job opportunities and economic value, as well as contribute to a more secure energy supply. Abandoned mines present a viable option for the installation of such systems, exploiting their underground facilities for safe storage. In this regard, the underground facilities can be exploited for green hydrogen (H<sub>2</sub>) energy storage systems to be used on-site in times of RES deficits. Underground H<sub>2</sub> storage has many advantages over surface storage, including safer storage, smaller footprints, a larger storage capacity, and a lower cost. The re-use of pre-existing infrastructure and land availability for deploying solar parks also offers innovative ways to generate clean energy. This study examines the potential of repurposing abandoned mines in the form of renewable energy generation facilities in order to improve their environmental impact and move quickly towards sustainable and innovative mining throughout Europe.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4605/15/1/30renewable energy sourceshydrogenenergy storagemining
spellingShingle Antonis Peppas
Sotiris Kottaridis
Chrysa Politi
Potential Application of RES and Underground H<sub>2</sub> Storage in Abandoned Mines
Materials Proceedings
renewable energy sources
hydrogen
energy storage
mining
title Potential Application of RES and Underground H<sub>2</sub> Storage in Abandoned Mines
title_full Potential Application of RES and Underground H<sub>2</sub> Storage in Abandoned Mines
title_fullStr Potential Application of RES and Underground H<sub>2</sub> Storage in Abandoned Mines
title_full_unstemmed Potential Application of RES and Underground H<sub>2</sub> Storage in Abandoned Mines
title_short Potential Application of RES and Underground H<sub>2</sub> Storage in Abandoned Mines
title_sort potential application of res and underground h sub 2 sub storage in abandoned mines
topic renewable energy sources
hydrogen
energy storage
mining
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4605/15/1/30
work_keys_str_mv AT antonispeppas potentialapplicationofresandundergroundhsub2substorageinabandonedmines
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AT chrysapoliti potentialapplicationofresandundergroundhsub2substorageinabandonedmines