YBSA Monthly Report May, 2011

YBSA Monthly Report
May, 2011

Pumped Storage Wind Integration: Yakima Basin Storage Alliance believes an opportunity exists to assist in addressing the surplus electricity created by spring Columbia River runoff and wind power generation. Pumping surplus water uphill using excess power, storing water in a reservoir and returning it to the Columbia River will generate electrical power when the wind isn’t blowing. The electricity produced would provide an opportunity to assist in distributing the electricity when transmission lines and markets are available.

A pumped storage project using wind generated electricity could allow the wind industry to receive environmental incentive money. The reservoir would provide a storage battery for energy and benefit fish, agriculture, municipal needs and economic stability with a reliable water supply being left in the Yakima River.

Attached are two articles explaining the existing problem when hydropower and wind generation electricity exceed the ability of our transmission system to deliver the electricity. Pumped storage could be part of the solution by delaying the energy production to a time when it can be delivered and sold.

For additional information see www.ybsa.org