1304 moderately suitable, or unsuitable. This comprehensive approach ensures a balanced consideration of technical, environmental, and socioeconomic factors in site selection for implementing RM-GES or CB-GES. 4. RM-GES TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATOR 4.1 The use of evaluation and selection methodology for choosing a demonstrator site The methodology for the selection of suitable sites for GES was applied to four potential sites from European open-pit coal mines: (1) Achlada Lignite Mines, Northern Part – Greece; (2) Rovinari Mining Basin, Tismana Open Pit – Romania; (3) Most Basin, ČSA Mine - Czech Republic; (4) Turów Mine - Poland. Each site was assessed for its suitability for both RM-GES and CB-GES gravity energy storage technology. Site No 4 (Turów Mine, Poland) was identified as highly suitable for both RM-GES and CBGES deployment due to strong geotechnical stability, existing infrastructure, and proximity to the power grid. However, a limited elevation difference slightly constrains energy potential. Site No. 2 (Rovinari Mining Basin, Romania) is well-suited to both RM-GES and CB-GES technologies, owing to stable soil conditions and the potential for integration with existing energy infrastructure. Site No. 1 (Achlada Lignite Mines, Greece) demonstrated high feasibility for CB-GES, with sufficient elevation differences and available space, but it requires geotechnical reinforcement. Finally, site No. 3 (Most Basin, Czech Republic) is considered moderately feasible, given geotechnical and infrastructure constraints, and requires further assessment. According to the above analysis, Turów Mine was selected as a suitable site for implementing RM-GES technology. 4.2 Geotechnical modelling and assessment of the demonstrator site For the 4 locations selected and discussed above, 2D numerical calculations were performed using the shear-strength-reduction method. The calculations were performed using the Finite Element Method or the Finite Difference Method (both methods yield very similar results). Fig. 4 shows the slip-surface locations and safety factors for the four locations. The calculation results clearly indicate that locations 1 (Achlada) and 3 (ČSA) do not meet the required stability indices of FS > 1.5. Locations 2 (Tishmana) and 4 (Turów) meet the stability criteria. It is worth noting that the Turów mine, which was ultimately selected as the location for the RM-GES demonstrator, has the highest stability indices of FS = 3.33. a) Achlada Lignite Miners – Greece, slip surface derived from maximum shear strain at FS =0.88
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0Mzk2