From Green Energy to Green Ecology: A Review of Ecological Impacts and Regulatory Strategies of Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH)

Abstract

In the context of the “dual-carbon” goal and the global energy transition, pumped storage power plants have been widely deployed as an important support for green energy systems due to their peak-regulating and energy-storage advantages. However, while bringing resilience to the energy system, pumped storage power plants also have multi-dimensional impacts on the ecological environment. In this paper, we systematically sort out the potential disturbances to water ecosystems, biodiversity, landscape patterns and socio-ecological systems during the planning, construction and operation of pumped storage power plants, and analyze the typical ecological risks such as water quality changes, habitat fragmentation, and land-use transformation. The current mainstream ecological regulation and management strategies are further summarized, including eco-friendly engineering design, water level regulation, environmental impact assessment systems, and ecological compensation mechanisms. Case studies demonstrate that the ecological impacts of pumped storage vary across regions and plant types, requiring adaptive and site-specific solutions. This paper highlights the importance of integrating ecological science and engineering technologies. It provides theoretical insights and practical guidance for promoting the sustainable and ecologically compatible development of pumped storage systems.