[BC] Power distribution in the NE

[Robert Meuser]

Glen Kippel wrote:

>
>
> The fun power plant is at Helms, east of Fresno.  They use recycled 
> water.
> Really.  In the afternoon when there is peak demand they release water 
> from
> one reservoir into a lower one to run the generators.  Late at night when
> demand is low, they use the generators as pumps to pump water back to the
> upper reservoir for release the next day, using cheaper electric power.
> This all happens in a huge man-made grotto, 3/4-mile inside a mountain.
> This is really an impressive place, and they have tours open to the 
> public
> on Saturdays.  It's worth the trip to experience this!

Yes, I have seen these in Europe. They are very interesting.

 I once considered building a very small version when I lived on a 
farm.  The idea was to use solar and wind but pump water into a silo 
when there was excess capacity, then release that water to when the 
other two sources were not available.  Alas I moved to the city before 
much beyond the first solar array was in place.

R