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Most viable hydro sites are gone, yes. But you don't need a viable hydro site for pumped hydro. What you need is water at the bottom of a hill. That's com
by bryanlarsen 3y ago
Most viable hydro sites are gone, yes. But you don't need a viable hydro site for pumped hydro. What you need is water at the bottom of a hill. That's common.
- jefftk 3y agoIf you just have water at the bottom of the hill you'll need to build a giant tank on the top of the hill. The best spots for pumped hydro have a natural depression elevated above a water source, so you can use that instead. (I agree that this is different from traditional hydro locations, and so there are many good spots still available)
- bryanlarsen 3y agoThe best spots already have a reservoir up top, or most of one. Pumped hydro is so much cheaper than other long term storage options you can spend a little extra on the reservoir and still come out ahead of competitors. 50 year old example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludington_Pumped_Storage_Power_Plant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludington_Pumped_Storage_Power...
- pfdietz 3y agoMost primary hydro sites are gone. Pumped hydro can work in a much wider variety of places, including in deserts. https://www.whitepinepumpedstorage.com/ https://www.whitepinepumpedstorage.com/