01-28-2011, 05:23 PM
Hi,
I read this and went on. Then I thought about it and it makes no sense.
If the electricity is being generated by hydro pressure, then generating electricity at night to pump the water back up wouldn't be as efficient as just not using that water and generating that electricity in the first place. Just shut down the unneeded generators when the load is low and close the water valves.
If the electricity is not being generated by hydro pressure, then the same principal applies unless the water needs to be pumped up for some other purpose (such as irrigation or for a municipal supply). Then, yes, it makes sense to use the nighttime surplus capacity to perform the task (just as most aluminum is processed at night), but it is not a conservation measure, it simply reduces the daytime peak demand.
--Pete
(01-28-2011, 12:27 PM)eppie Wrote: They are actually doing this. Of course not going against the laws of thermodynamics but just using the fact that electrical power is cheap at night and expensive at day time. So at night water gets pumped upwards and during the day electricity is generated.
I read this and went on. Then I thought about it and it makes no sense.
If the electricity is being generated by hydro pressure, then generating electricity at night to pump the water back up wouldn't be as efficient as just not using that water and generating that electricity in the first place. Just shut down the unneeded generators when the load is low and close the water valves.
If the electricity is not being generated by hydro pressure, then the same principal applies unless the water needs to be pumped up for some other purpose (such as irrigation or for a municipal supply). Then, yes, it makes sense to use the nighttime surplus capacity to perform the task (just as most aluminum is processed at night), but it is not a conservation measure, it simply reduces the daytime peak demand.
--Pete
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?