4 ms·
Okay, so what if you built a huge artificial dam way above sea level? To store energy you would pump water uphill. Usable work could then be extracted when the
by jostmey 12y ago
Okay, so what if you built a huge artificial dam way above sea level? To store energy you would pump water uphill. Usable work could then be extracted when the water is allowed to travel back downhill.
- vinkelhake 12y agoThis is what is currently done. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumped-storage_hydroelectricity http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumped-storage_hydroelectricity
- jccooper 12y agoWell known as "pumped storage". They're competing with it, but dry and upside down. Is it more economical? Maybe. Is it safer? See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taum_Sauk_Hydroelectric_Power_Station http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taum_Sauk_Hydroelectric_Power_S... At least if this contraption breaks, there's nothing important below it.
- DanielBMarkham 12y agoI live near a twin-lake hydro system that does just that. Every night the lights dim for a bit when the grid starts being used to pump water back up. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_Mountain_Dam http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_Mountain_Dam
- acjohnson55 12y agoSee also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinorwig_Power_Station https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinorwig_Power_Station
- pbreit 12y agoI would think you could find an elevated lake that replenishes naturally to avoid pumping the water up. But then maybe that is just "energy".