You can record a range of pros and cons depending on who you speak with. On the plus side, first and foremost, it’s wonderfully clean. In addition, wind power generates jobs, increases our knowledge of weather systems, reveals weaknesses in conventional electrical equipment, stimulates the invention of new products, it pushes the design boundary of composites, encourages wise use of natural resources, and excites the imagination of many of us.
On the downside, like most everything else, it could be less expensive.

Paul Dvorak

Paul Dvorak

Most large batteries are expensive because their are designed for high energy density (for a battery) using costly materials. But a Prof. at Carnegie-Mellon U. is patenting a big battery that uses low cost materials and has a relatively low-energy density. If it’s stationary, its large size becomes a non-issue. We hope to report on it soon.

Paul Dvorak

Do you know of any elevated reservoirs made just to hold pumped hydro?

Paul

The trick it seems to me is to switch from charge to discharge in about a second. Batteries and flywheels can do that. Then the question becomes, how much should be stored? If a lot, then a large cheap battery will have advantages. The free market will pick the winners.

Paul

Thanks for the comment. The idea sounds like a great way to store excess wind power. Any turbine on the local grid could contribute to the pump power. Too bad it’s not more accessible to more wind plants.

Paul Dvorak