Pumped-storage hydropower for resilient energy transition: A choice experiment in South Korea

This study quantifies public preferences for pumped-storage hydropower (PSH) expansion as a cornerstone of long-duration energy storage (LDES) to bolster grid resilience and facilitate South Korea's renewable energy (RE) transition, which targets 29.1% variable RE by 2038. A nationally representative choice experiment survey of 1000 households, yielding 4000 observations, was conducted to achieve this goal. A Bayesian mixed logit model, incorporating random parameters and socio-demographic interactions, uncovers preference heterogeneity: advanced PSH technology commands the highest relative importance (42.2%), followed by energy self-sufficiency (20.9%), greenhouse gas emissions reduction (18.7%), and job creation (18.3%). Monthly household marginal willingness to pay estimates are KRW 6108 (USD 4.39) per 1%p self-sufficiency increase, KRW 7291 (USD 5.24) per tCO₂e reduction, KRW 420 (USD 0.30) per 1000 jobs, and KRW 1728 (USD 1.24) for variable-speed technology adoption. These findings advance LDES valuation literature, offering policymakers evidence-based tools for tariff premiums, investment prioritization, and social acceptance strategies in advanced economies pursuing low-carbon resilience.