North American Pumped Storage Appeals to Energy Conscious Users

SUGAR LAND--February 26, 2010--Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Industrial Info is tracking more than 23,000 megawatts (MW) of capacity and more than $40 billion in grassroot pumped storage capital projects in North America. Pumped storage hydroelectric capacity growth is attractive primarily because it can be used to balance intermittent renewable resources, such as wind and solar power, and provide peak load power generation. Reversible turbine/generator assemblies act as pumps and turbines (usually with a Francis Turbine design) to move water from higher to lower water sources.