09-12-2016, 10:42 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Lee M-S
At least one place in California has been storing "power" for a long time. During low-demand hours, they pump water into a high reservoir. During high-demand hours, the water is released to flow through turbines and generate electricity.
There has to be a LOTTA loss in that system
Actually my understanding is that water pumping is one of the, if not the number one, most efficient energy storage methods. Not perfect of course, but compared to the inefficiencies of batteries it is a winner for large scale energy storage.
PGV could be bubbling off hydrogen all night, as well as pumping water (in theory). I hope I am not around to see the CAVE folks protesting pumping water as a method of utilizing renewable energy systems...
Lodestone,
Your story is a sad one with no easy answers. At least (going by your topic title--which I enjoyed greatly) you have kept your sense of humor.
The installer being willing to refund and undo the work shows some integrity, but that it is the result of their error in the first place shows a lack of accuracy that is very troubling.
FWIW, there have been articles all over the place over the last months about grid interactive terms becoming less attractive all across the USA.
I'm not sure Tom is correct that there is a relatively easy tech solution that would change Helco infrastructure to allow for unlimited solar input. I believe that it is inherent in the development of the central power plant model that the ability to incorporate rooftop solar is limited.
OTOH, if there was such tech, the electric companies (and entire fossil fuel industry) would have no incentive to use it.
Cheers,
Kirt