Social Acceptance of Pumped Hydroelectricity Energy Storage (PHES)

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the research on social acceptance of pumped hydroelectric energy storage and introduces three case studies, the Storm King Mountain pumped hydro plant (United States), the Tyin hydrobalancing scenario (Norway) and the Val d’Ambra II project (Switzerland). Based on that, it provides conclusions and recommendation for pumped hydro storage development and governance. Main points include the importance of considering the highly complex, multidimensional, and multi-actor nature of social acceptance and of facilitating the inclusion of the diversity of relevant stakeholders and their concerns in decision-making in order to realize just transition processes towards low-carbon societies.