[nero]

The problem with most renewable energy is the reliability, to which people often counter that we can mitigate that by using our hydroelectric dams to smooth out the other forms of renewable energy. That's great as far as it goes, but then you are limitted by the capacity of the resevoir to tide you over until the wind blows again. However in Ontario and New York state we have a fabulous pumped storage opportunity called Niagara falls. Is there any reason why we couldn't convert the generating stations around Niagara falls to a pumped storage scenario where the level of lake Erie is manipulated like a resevoir. We could store a week's worth of electricity in lake Erie without too much trouble.

[Tanada]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('nero', 'T')he problem with most renewable energy is the reliability, to which people often counter that we can mitigate that by using our hydroelectric dams to smooth out the other forms of renewable energy. That's great as far as it goes, but then you are limitted by the capacity of the resevoir to tide you over until the wind blows again. However in Ontario and New York state we have a fabulous pumped storage opportunity called Niagara falls. Is there any reason why we couldn't convert the generating stations around Niagara falls to a pumped storage scenario where the level of lake Erie is manipulated like a resevoir. We could store a week's worth of electricity in lake Erie without too much trouble.

[Niagara]

I thought I'd chime in too, since my avatar is fitting for this thread

Actually Nero, the hydro projects do store energy exactly in the manner you describe.

The reservoirs (both Ontario and NY side) are 2-tiered. During off-peak hours electricity is purchased cheaply from the grid and water is pumped up into the upper section. During peak hours, it falls back down through the turbines generating power.

This is not counting the main stage of generation, where the water makes the big drop into the lower Niagara river.

Linky

[Dreamtwister]

Hey I've got an idea to solve our energy problems! Let's find some of the most fertile land in North America and FLOOD IT!

Brilliant. Of course, it's no worse than the status quo, which is paving over it.

[MD]

You should see Niagra falls when the power station intakes are turned off. It's magnificent.

Currently the falls flows at about 50% (somebody will have to verify . . . I pulled that number from a very old memory file).

Anyway, the off peak accumulating reservoirs are fairly massive now. I'd hate to see the day when the decision is made to cut off the falls entirely in order to extract every possible watt.

I don't think it likely. We will collapse first.

[nero]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Dreamtwister', 'H')ey I've got an idea to solve our energy problems! Let's find some of the most fertile land in North America and FLOOD IT!