Well Below Two | Insights

Summary

Batteries get hyped, but pumped hydro provides the vast majority of long-term energy storage essential for renewable power – here’s how it works

When it comes to long term energy storage, pumped hydro is looking more beneficial when compared to batteries. Joe Biden and his administration have a goal to cut the greenhouse gas emissions in half within 10 years. We are seeing new technology developed with both wind and solar power in mind. However, pumped hydro energy storage might be the best option between all of these as only a few hundred sites are needed to support an entirely renewable electricity system in the United States.

Key Takeaways:

  • Water is pumped into an uphill reservoir, then released downhill through turbines when energy is needed.
  • Because closed-looped pumped hydro doesn't require access to a river, it doesn't require dams.
  • Reservoirs can be built new, or existing reservoirs, old mining sites or lakes can be used.

“While battery innovations get a lot of attention, there’s a simple, proven long-term storage technique that’s been used in the U.S. since the 1920s.”

Read more: https://theconversation.com/batteries-get-hyped-but-pumped-hydro-provides-the-vast-majority-of-long-term-energy-storage-essential-for-renewable-power-heres-how-it-works-174446

An Energy Transition Needs Lots of Power Lines. This 1970s Minnesota Farmers’ Uprising Tried to Block One. What Can it Teach Us?

When an energy transition happens, a lot of power lines are needed. There was already an uproar over a event very similar back in the 1970s across rural Minnesota. The argument was over a 436 mile power line that would carry power from a coal plant in North Dakota all the way to the suburbs of Minneapolis. The power line was developed by Cooperative Power Association and there were protests about the sale since the public was completely against it.

Key Takeaways:

  • Clean energy advocates have said that power companies need to understand what fuels public opposite.
  • One of the best ways to learn about the energy transition that is needed is to look at the intense battle that happened in Minnesota during the 1970s.
  • There were arguments in the fight in Minnesota over a 436 mile power line from North Dakota to St. Paul.

“But the process of building those lines is likely to be fraught with conflict and delays, because people in rural and suburban communities often don’t want to see wires and tall metal towers in their backyards.”

Read more: https://insideclimatenews.org/news/03012022/energy-transition-powerlines-minnesota/