[HydroDyne]

I have a idea for a Modified Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Plant that does not have a devastating impact on the environment by using a small fraction of the space of a Conventional Pumped Storage Facility. Also the diversity of the plant allows it to be built in otherwise unsuitable locations for dam plants of comparable production capacity.

I have read what I can about every conceivable dam, hydro plant facility, fluid dynamics, hydrodynamic fluids, turbine theory, and anything to do with construction materials and techniques.

I've built a crude proto-type and my theory is sound and viable, but I need to find engineers, and people versed in fluid physics to assist in the building of a full scale mycrohydroelectric 1 megawatt facility, so that a complete feasibility study can be assurtained.

Long story short, where can I find such innovative people? And funding for such a study?

Thank you,

[kmann]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('HydroDyne', 'I') have a idea for a Modified Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Plant ...

[Ming]

I used to do some research in energy storage, and have some patents in CAES.
So, I am curious about your idea, mainly because I also don’t see a way around the problems that kmann enunciated.
(Perhaps you could use a denser fluid, instead of water, but I don’t think anything is competitive with water for large storage dams…)

Anyway, if you really have an innovative idea, you should patent it first, and try to get people to look at it only after that.

[mos6507]

How big would it have to be for a single household to store overnight electricity? As big as a farm silo?

[kmann]

10,000 gallons at 100 feet high would store roughly 3 KW - hours of energy, if my "back of an envelope" calculations are correct. So yes, a farm silo sized unit for overnight usage is approximate.

[Ming]

Forget 100ft and farm silo sizes.
(You would have important loses in the pumping and in the electricity (re)production, too.)

With pumped water you need mountains (at least 400 to 500ft if you have HUGE reservoirs, but ideally 1000ft or more) and big open air reservoirs...
Not a solution for individuals, except if you own a big ranch in the mountains…

But overall it is a great solution for utilities to balance wind energy production.

[kmann]

Agreed. A bank of lead acid batteries is a better solution for single household use.

[mos6507]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('kmann', 'A')greed. A bank of lead acid batteries is a better solution for single household use.