Application of Circular Economy Principles to Power Generation: Extending the Life of A Hydropower Plant by Pumped Hydro Energy Storage

ABSTRACT The application of circular economy, which aims to maximize efficiency and reduce waste, to renewable energy sources necessitates, given the intermittent nature of the latter, robust energy storage solutions to ensure grid stability and avoid wasting energy. Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) is a technology that can effectively address this challenge by converting surplus energy into gravitational potential energy via water elevation. This study assesses the feasibility of this proposal by quantifying the environmental burdens associated with recycling an existing hydropower plant performed by means of the incorporation of a closed‐loop PHES system comprising upper and lower reservoirs coupled with a pumping mechanism. A comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment methodology was employed to evaluate impacts across nine distinct stages—encompassing construction phases and operational use of the pumping system. Results indicate that the slope stabilization construction phase, characterized by substantial fossil fuel consumption and steel materialization for landslide mitigation, alongside the electricity‐driven pumping system operation, collectively contribute over 91% to total impact scores within all assessed categories. Specifically, the carbon footprint across the entire lifecycle is quantified as approximately 0.594 kg CO 2 eq per kWh.