Combining Wind and Pumped Hydro Energy Storage for Renewable Energy Generation in Ireland

Table 1

Suitability of each site investigated for development of a wind-PHES electricity generation facility.

Site	Glencolumbkille,; Co. Donegal	Glinsk,; Co. Mayo	Cleggan,; Co. Galway	Stradbally,; Co. Kerry	Mangerton,; Co. Kerry	Mullaghcleevaun,; Co. Wicklow
Wind speed (ms^−1)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Elevation (>200 m)	✓	✓	×	✓	✓	✓
Geology (impermeable bedrock)	✓	✓	✓	×	×	✓
Grid connection (<20 km distant)	✓	✓	×	×	✓	✓
Road infrastructure (<1.5 km distant)	✓	✓	×	×	×	×
No SAC^a present	×	✓	✓	×	×	×
No SPA^a present	×	✓	✓	×	×	×
Existing wind farm present	×	×	×	×	×	×
Total^b	5 (7)^c	7	4	2 (4)	3 (5)	4 (6)

^aSAC: special area of conservation (per Directive 94/43/EEC); SPA: special protection area (per Directive 79/409/EEC).
^bOut of 8.
^cPossible score if a compromise on protective European legislation could be made.