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bull1226 t1_j0l60ah wrote

This is nothing new, we've had something similar in Michigan for years, although not as big. Consumers Power pumps water from Lake Huron into a reservoir when electricity demand is low. When demand goes up, they release the water which then drives turbines.

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IamreallynotaNPC t1_j0l8d7p wrote

Oh didn't know this. On the west side of Michigan myself and I have always wondered why we don't do something similar, but guess we do... kind of. Better to use solar/wind to move the water in the first place though, but I am sure that's being incorporated as well, or at least considered.

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dongasaurus t1_j0mgedb wrote

If there’s any solar or wind in Michigan it’s already incorporated. Hydro storage serves the same purpose whether the grid is renewable or not, it’s just a lot more necessary with more renewables on the grid.

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Effective-Gas6026 t1_j0l8hj3 wrote

Its not a ”world first” kind of news, and neither does it have to be. Theres as big europe-wide energy crisis going on, you know? Perfect example of american entitlement. Everything has to always be about america.

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putalotoftussinonit t1_j0la32w wrote

The Grand River Dam Authority has Lake Hudson that replenishes Grand Lake and make cheap, cheap power.

Working for GRDA is a goddamn nightmare.

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DangerousMusic14 t1_j0lxlsf wrote

Grand Coulee Dam pumps water from the Columbia River up into Banks Lk in WA state.

The trick is having enough water and then having enough excess generation capacity to use to pump up hill. Water and power demands will be an increasing challenge for existing systems.

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pbjamm t1_j0lq8vn wrote

There is a series of lakes in California (the Edison Lakes) built by the power utility over a century ago. No pumped hydro as far as I know but a series of man made lakes that each generate power as the water works it's way down the mountain.

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Deathbeddit t1_j0m9s52 wrote

Good example, I think you mean Ludington pumped storage on Lake Michigan. Pretty sure mostly powered by fossil fuels still. Another commenter provided a link, I think it’s important to emphasize that it burns more energy than it produces, not including the impact of building and maintaining the huge system. 10 to fill, 7 generated.

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nyaaaa t1_j0lxtd6 wrote

> This is nothing new

Really now? You are saying the country that has 30% pumped storage generation capacity based on their total energy generation capacity, isn't new to this?

Interesting observation.

Weird flex coming from a 2% country citizen.

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