Dear Editor,
Do I want pumped storage for electricity?
It’s simple:
Q: What is pumped storage?
A: A way to store electricity using water and a hill.
Q: Is it a “green” environmentally friendly way to store electricity?
A: Yes. It is water and a hill.
Q: Are there other ways to store electricity?
A: Yes. The other way to store electricity is with chemical batteries.
Q: Are chemical batteries “green” and environmentally friendly?
A: No. Chemical batteries contain hazardous chemicals and use rare earth elements. Chemical batteries sometimes catch fire. If chemical batteries catch fire, the batteries release toxic chemicals and it requires hazardous, polluting, forever chemicals to put out the fire. There have been over 95 battery energy storage system (BESS) fire incidents worldwide, and this goes up every year.
Q: If chemical batteries are a hazard to the environment, can pumped storage also cause environmental damage?
A: There were 270 pumped storage facilities around the world in 2023 with more being added. There has been one incident caused by human errors. 85% of the world’s electricity storage uses pumped storage methods. Pumped storage is safe, reliable and proven.
Q: Why do we need to store electricity?
A: We need more electricity during the day than at night. Electricity generated in low demand periods is wasted, unless it is stored.
A: Solar and wind clean energy electricity output varies with weather. Surplus clean energy can be stored until it is needed, rather than wasted.
A: Storing electricity with pumped storage will reduce dangerous greenhouse gas emissions.
Q: Why don’t we just continue to create more daytime electricity to meet our needs and continue to waste nighttime electricity?
A: Our electricity needs are continuing to grow faster than our ability to make new electricity, so we need to find a way to store surplus electricity, rather than waste it.
Q: How can water and a hill store electricity?
A: Water is pumped uphill at night, using cheap electricity rates. The water is stored in a great big cement pool at the top of the hill. When more electricity is needed in the daytime, the water is run down a tunnel. The fast-moving water in the tunnel turns a turbine. The turbine creates electricity. The electricity is then put into the electrical grid. Once in the electrical grid, the electricity goes where it is needed.
Q: Can a company make money by using pumped storage?
A: Yes. Cheap excess electricity is stored and then re-sold at a higher price when it is released during daytime hours.
Q: Should I want pumped storage used throughout Canada?
A: Yes.
Q: Why should I want pumped storage used throughout Canada?
A: Start over at question 1 above.
Regards,
Audrey Mason, Meaford
