Estonia kaevanduse päikeseelektrijaama rajamisega kaasnevad riskid kaevanduse allmaa ja pealmaa objektidele [Bakalaureusetöö. Juhendaja: E. Väli]

Eesti Energia AS plans to build solaar power plant above the chambers 301, 302, 501 and 502 in mine Estonia. This project supports the principles of the Riigikogu’s Climate Policy, enabling the production of renewable energy, while at the same time using mining residues for construction, which are extracted in large quantities annually during oil shale mining and stored almost half without any application.

According to the Waste Act of the Riigikogu of the Republic of Estonia, the development and implementation of waste prevention and management measures must be guided by the waste hierarchy, which also sets out recycling [1], which in this context is suitable for the construction of power plant.

The planned solar power plant will be built in the area on the territory of the Estonia underground mine, due to which it is necessary to assess the suitability of the territory for construction. The construction of a solar power plant includes the substructure on which the power plant will be erected. As large amounts of mining waste are used for the construction of the substructure, it burdens the already undermined ground. The analysis identifies the potential underground and surface risks associated with the project, assesses their impact and proposes realistic solutions to minimize the damage.

The work was based on the fact that the support units break and the main ceiling collapses when the pressure in the whole exceeds the pressure resistance. This happens when:
a. The strength of whole decreases over time
b. When the pressure on the units increases due to the building being built on the ground. The results of the study show that the construction of a solaar power plant does not pose a threat to either surface or underground objects.

The results of the work and the analysis show that the construction of a solar power plant does not pose a direct threat to either surface or underground objects. A collapse in a mine is inevitable due to ground loading, but it does not cause major damage to underground or surface objects. Strategically important underground objects are not located in the area affected by the air pressure wave in the event of a collapse. Strategically important surface objects are located in the undermined area, where in the event of a possible collapse, the ground will not sink. Measures to mitigate potential hazards by diverting air pressure waves through ventilation barriers are sufficient.

In summary, it can be said that the solar power plant area of the Estonia mine has been well chosen and, taking into account precautionary measures, it is possible to carry out the project as safely as possible.