pnichols wrote:
Well ... all over the world where there are canyons and when/where upper and lower reservoirs can be built into them - and when/where evaporation can be replenished in those reservoirs as needed ... has always seemed to me to be best for energy storage in that it duplicates Mother Nature's energy storage method. Pump those reservoirs full using renewable energy when it's available, and then drain them through turbines to generate electricity when renewable energy isn't available.
There are a few pumped storage systems kicking around...problem is they are hugely expensive to build and operate.
Far more effective is smart use of power...peak demand is early evening. Solar panels produce nothing during this time period...so set it up to drop the hose temps to 60F late afternoon, supercool the freezer, take the hot water heater up to 180F...then let them coast thru the peak. Set up washing machines, dryers and dishwashers to wait until mid-day to run...
Lots of things can be done to be more efficient but they aren't as snazzy as fancy technology.
