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Pumped hydro has been viable for energy storage for decades and decades, running 70-80% efficiency. It's more efficient than most alternatives, to include compr

Pumped hydro has been viable for energy storage for decades and decades, running 70-80% efficiency. It's more efficient than most alternatives, to include compressed air, but it can't be dispatched quite as quickly. The real problem is the fact that environmentalists tend to hate dams, especially large hydro projects, so there's a major political battle on top of finding funding for these kinds of capital-intensive projects.

bluGill 5y ago
Even if we could build dams with no worry about the environment, it wouldn't help. There are not many places left to build them, and a lot more would be needed. Sure use them where we have them, but they are not a something we can grow.
- pfdietz 5y ago
  Pumped hydro can be built off rivers. The opportunities for that are vast.
  - bluGill 5y ago
    Not at the scale needed.
    - pfdietz 5y ago
      Incorrect. There are some geographic restrictions, but on a global scale the potential off river pumped hydro resource is enormous. http://re100.eng.anu.edu.au/global/ http://re100.eng.anu.edu.au/global/
- jhgb 5y ago
  > There are not many places left to build them ...unless you go radical? https://www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/anu-finds-530000-potential-pumped-hydro-sites-worldwide https://www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/anu-finds-530000-potent...