Abandoned coal mines could store wind energy

Abandoned coal mines could store wind energy

Environment

Surplus wind power can be used to heat up water in flooded mines – a test of the idea is being planned in Scotland in 2024

By James Dinneen

The Barony Colliery in Scotland is one proposed site to test storing wind energy in old coal mines

Ayrshire UAV Images/Alamy

Flooded mines across the UK could store large amounts of wind energy that would otherwise go to waste by heating up the water within them. The heat could then be extracted to warm homes in winter.

In 2022, enough wind energy to power more than a million homes was wasted in the UK, according to the think tank Carbon Tracker. That is largely because infrastructure for wind energy transmission and storage has not…

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 28th October 2023.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account

More from New Scientist

Explore the latest news, articles and features

>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : New Scientist – https://www.newscientist.com/article/2403650-abandoned-coal-mines-could-store-wind-energy/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home

Exit mobile version