PNNL

Abstract

The use of pumped hydropower storage (PHS) is expected to grow exponentially as countries transition to renewable energy sources. But little is known of PHS impacts on aquatic biota. The impact of passage through a PHS (whilst pumping) on the survival of five life stages (egg, two larval stages, juvenile and adult) of redfin (European) perch was examined. Stressors expected to occur during passage through a 2000 MW PHS facility using physically simulated (shear strain and pressurisation) and modelled (blade strike). Results showed redfin would survive shear, pressure and blade strike expected when passing the PHS and that the degree of impact varied among life history stages. Juvenile survival was greater than 70% across all shear strain rates, however the survival of eggs and larvae decline markedly as strain rate increased. All life stages had high survival when exposed to rapid pressurisation and blade strike. Overall, the results indicate that a large proportion of redfin would survive passage through the PHS whilst it was pumping from a lower to higher reservoir. The implications of this could be positive or negative, depending on whether the species is native or invasive to the region.