Hydro-Powered Batteries ?

In previous blogs, you have heard me talk extensively about my interest in renewable energy. Keen observers will have noted that I pay particular attention to both wind and solar sources of renewable energy, but I spend very little time talking about the use of hydro-power. I guess this has been due in part to the fact that I have always equated hydro power with some sort of hydro-electric dam or ocean-wave generation facility.

Further, I had written about using a flywheel to store the kinetic energy as a form of "battery". An astute commenter pointed out that the "excess" energy could be put to more practical use in the form of pumping water. I missed it. What was the value in that, I wondered.

Since then, I have been spending a little more time looking at hydro power. The commenter was trying to point out that falling water provides a higher energy potential, which is of a much more steady state. Consider that the flywheel will continually slow down. There's no such thing as a perpetual-motion machine, right ? But water falls at a steady rate, thanks to gravity. The variable would be volume, which is easily controlled via the diameter of the pipe !

So excess energy created that exceeds demand can be entirely spent in pumping a volume of water uphill. Then when demand exceeds production, that same water could flow back downhill, activating a hydro turbine, generating electricity. The only real loss would occur interms of "friction" - having the water turn corners in the piping, for example.

I am continuing my research, but with one simple goal in mind - my interest lies in small-scale projects. Specifically, projects which I could explore in my own shop, here in Western Canada. You won't see me exploring solutions which generate electricity from the motion of waves - there are no tides on the Prairies !


The opinions expressed are purely those of the author. Opinions are like noses - everyone has one, and they are entitled to it !