Background and Definition

LIHI’s certification program has explicitly excluded PSH primarily because fossil fuels supplied by regional electric grids were (and still are) the most common source of power for the PSH pumping cycle. Yet, recognizing the increasing penetration of wind and solar power since LIHI’s founding in 1999, the idea of potentially expanding the certification program to include PSH projects has percolated for several years. Over the last year, a cross-disciplined Advisory Group developed the draft definition based on the following objectives:

• Determine what aspects of natural, social, cultural resources could be impacted by the construction and operation of new and existing pumped storage projects in the US.
• Clearly articulate stringent but achievable goals that would lead to the optimal outcome to minimize impacts for each resource type.
• Define science- and knowledge-based standards for demonstrating that goals have been met.
• Publish results with sufficient detail such that PSH projects can evaluate their impacts and inform design of future projects.

The resulting draft definition encompasses eleven impact areas, along with goals and alternative standards for each impact area that can characterize PSH projects as being low impact.

For more background information on the draft definition, please click 這裡。