Using already existing artificial structures for energy storage in areas with high shares of Renewable Energies

Energy Storage is one of the key technologies when facing a future power supply based on renewable energies. Especially in rural areas a strong penetration of fluctuating energy from renewables can stress the transmission and distribution system. Storage Technologies can improve the grid stability by taking the surplus of energy produced by e.g. wind or solar power and provide it at times of shortages. The amplitude of the power that has to be transmitted can be lowered as well. Especially already existing artificial structures like former open cast mining structures and German waterways with its locks and canal lifts can be used for a cost effective and decentralized way of storing energy.