Pumped hydroelectric energy storage (PHES) projects are being considered worldwide to achieve renewable energy targets and to stabilize baseload energy supply from intermittent renewable energy sources. Unlike conventional hydroelectric systems that only pass water downstream, a feature of PHES schemes is that they rely on bi-directional water flow. In some cases, this flow can be across different waterbodies or catchments, posing a risk of inadvertently expanding the range of aquatic biota such as fish. The risk of this happening depends on the likelihood of survival of individuals, which remains poorly understood for turbines that are pumping rather than generating. This study quantified the survival of a globally widespread and invasive poeciliid fish, Eastern gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki), when exposed to three hydraulic stresses characteristic of those experienced through a PHES during the pumping phase. A shear flume and hyperbaric chamber were used to expose fish to different strain rates and rapid and sustained pressurization, respectively. Blade strike models were also used to predict fish survival through a Francis dual turbine/pump. Simulated ranges were based on design and operational conditions provided for a PHES scheme proposed in south-eastern Australia. All gambusia tested survived high levels of shear stress (up to 1,853 s−1), extremely high pressurization (up to 7,600 kPa gauge pressure) and the majority (>93%) were unlikely to be struck by a turbine blade. Given their tolerance to these extreme simulated stresses, we conclude that gambusia will likely survive passage through the simulated PHES scheme if they are entrained at the intake. Therefore, where a new PHES project poses the risk of inadvertently expanding the range of gambusia or similar poeciliid species, measures to minimize their spread or mitigate their ecosystem impacts should be considered.

中文翻译：

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Gambusia holbrooki 在模拟抽水发电方案中经受住剪切应力、加压和避免叶片撞击

世界范围内正在考虑抽水蓄能 (PHES) 项目，以实现可再生能源目标并稳定来自间歇性可再生能源的基本负荷能源供应。与仅向下游输送水的传统水力发电系统不同，PHES 方案的一个特点是它们依赖于双向水流。在某些情况下，这种流动可能会穿过不同的水体或集水区，从而有可能无意中扩大鱼类等水生生物群的范围。这种情况发生的风险取决于个人生存的可能性，对于泵送而不是发电的涡轮机，人们对此知之甚少。这项研究量化了一种在全球范围内广泛传播和入侵的 poeciliid 鱼，Eastern Gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki)，当暴露于泵送阶段通过 PHES 所经历的三种液压应力特征时。剪切槽和高压舱分别用于将鱼暴露于不同的应变率和快速和持续的加压。叶片撞击模型还用于通过 Francis 双涡轮机/泵预测鱼类的存活率。模拟范围基于为澳大利亚东南部提出的 PHES 计划提供的设计和操作条件。测试的所有 Gambusia 都能承受高水平的剪切应力（高达 1,853 s-1）、极高的加压（高达 7,600 kPa 表压）并且大多数（> 93%）不太可能被涡轮叶片撞击。鉴于它们对这些极端模拟应力的耐受性，我们得出的结论是，如果它们在入口处被夹带，gambusia 可能会通过模拟的 PHES 方案存活下来。因此，如果一个新的 PHES 项目存在无意中扩大甘草或类似 poeciliid 物种范围的风险，则应考虑采取措施尽量减少其传播或减轻其对生态系统的影响。