G6-Pumped Storage Reservoirs–(Approaching)-04

When a large lake is perched atop a mountain, that’s a lot of potential energy. However, it doesn’t come without a cost. This reservoir doesn’t really produce electricity. It’s more about storing energy for when it is needed. Imagine a really hot day when everyone turns on their AC. Water can be released from the lake down toward the turbines. This release helps meet the sudden peak in demand. At times of lower demand, water is pumped back up into the reservoir. Once the water is back in the reservoir, it is ready to go back to work. At a moment’s notice, it can convert its gravitational potential energy back into kinetic energy as it travels down the hill to the power plant.

Fossil fuel power stations take a much longer time to ramp up to meet spikes in demand. They can take as long as a half an hour or more to increase the amount of electricity they produce. Nuclear power stations take much longer than that to ramp up their output. Pumped water storage provides an almost instant solution. They can assist in times of high demand, which can prevent blackouts. On most days, water is pumped into the upper reservoir at night. This is typically a time of very low demand. By morning, it is ready for the daytime peak.

The Taum Sauk Power station was the first pumped storage project in the United States. Today, the plant runs almost nonstop. So the next time you are near Lesterville, Missouri, take a drive out to Johnson’s Shut-ins State Park. It’s a great destination for rock-hounds and swimmers alike. On your way, keep a sharp eye out for this first of a kind storage system near the park entrance.