For windmills, I wonder if it might simply be better to have them be pumps (rather like old farm windmills) rather than generate electricity at all. All the electricity could be generated from the water flowing downhill from a reservoir. As I understand it, electric generating windmills require complex variable pitch systems to keep them at a fairly constant speed. In extremely high winds they even have to be “feathered”. A pump will simply pump less or more water depending on the wind. Strong winds will actually help fill the reservoir faster, winds too low to power a generator might still power a water pump – just at a slower rate. The pumping windmill systems might ultimately be simpler and require less maintenance. They might be cheaper as well, although plumbing between all the windmills could perhaps make the system more costly to install.

For windmills, I wonder if it might simply be better to have them be pumps (rather like old farm windmills) rather than generate electricity at all. All the electricity could be generated from the water flowing downhill from a reservoir. As I understand it, electric generating windmills require complex variable pitch systems to keep them at a fairly constant speed. In extremely high winds they even have to be “feathered”. A pump will simply pump less or more water depending on the wind. Strong winds will actually help fill the reservoir faster, winds too low to power a generator might still power a water pump – just at a slower rate. The pumping windmill systems might ultimately be simpler and require less maintenance. They might be cheaper as well, although plumbing between all the windmills could perhaps make the system more costly to install.

We are somewhat new in the Hydrokinetic game but will be worth watching in the coming months as we are very close to introducing our new Water Current Energy System.

Submerged productive systems. Would prefer velocities of water over 5mph but can operate in less but of course this will also dictate size of systems.

Could be a consideration.

We are somewhat new in the Hydrokinetic game but will be worth watching in the coming months as we are very close to introducing our new Water Current Energy System.

Submerged productive systems. Would prefer velocities of water over 5mph but can operate in less but of course this will also dictate size of systems.

Could be a consideration.

The benefit of underground is not just lower area requirements, its the great flexibility in siting. You can build this close to where the supply is: windfarms on the plains, where there is little elevation difference (hills). Or close to demand centers: big cities and industrial areas.

These things may also help with peak water supply in wet seasons. The upper resevoir can act as a buffer. Water oversupply by rivers etc is a big problem in many parts of the world.

I think the concept has great potential, also because of the use of conventional engineered components. No toxic chemicals used, no rare materials… this can scale up big time!

The benefit of underground is not just lower area requirements, its the great flexibility in siting. You can build this close to where the supply is: windfarms on the plains, where there is little elevation difference (hills). Or close to demand centers: big cities and industrial areas.

These things may also help with peak water supply in wet seasons. The upper resevoir can act as a buffer. Water oversupply by rivers etc is a big problem in many parts of the world.

I think the concept has great potential, also because of the use of conventional engineered components. No toxic chemicals used, no rare materials… this can scale up big time!

Plus losses of 10-20% that makes it around 7-8 cents/kWh total. Not bad for peaking power! Should be cheaper than other options like natural gas, and much cleaner!

Since the cost of excavation is so big, maybe it’s better, for now at least, to use abandoned mines and quarries as mentioned? Must be quite a few suitable (durable) underground mines and quarries that have been abandoned over the years… just be oppertunistic!

Plus losses of 10-20% that makes it around 7-8 cents/kWh total. Not bad for peaking power! Should be cheaper than other options like natural gas, and much cleaner!

Since the cost of excavation is so big, maybe it’s better, for now at least, to use abandoned mines and quarries as mentioned? Must be quite a few suitable (durable) underground mines and quarries that have been abandoned over the years… just be oppertunistic!