Researchers at the U of Minnesota Duluth Natural Resources Research Institute have found that abandoned iron mine pits in northern Minnesota could be used for water powered pump storage of off peak electrical power produced by wind turbines. The power can then be generated when needed during peak times during hot summer days.
Wind power is used to operate pumps bringing the water from lower man made pools of water to pools of water on the upper level part of the abandoned open pit mine. The water is sent back down to the lower pool during the day and used to run electrical generators to put power back on the grid.
A full report and executive summary for Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) is available here.
Photo from : http://www1.umn.edu/news/news-releases/2011/UR_CONTENT_366951.html
Update: Germany is pumping water up to mountain reservoirs to store renewable energy. Unfortunately the process is only 67% efficient.
Wind power is used to operate pumps bringing the water from lower man made pools of water to pools of water on the upper level part of the abandoned open pit mine. The water is sent back down to the lower pool during the day and used to run electrical generators to put power back on the grid.
A full report and executive summary for Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) is available here.
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| Open pit mine - photo UMD-NRRI |
Update: Germany is pumping water up to mountain reservoirs to store renewable energy. Unfortunately the process is only 67% efficient.
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