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Hydro

Hydroelectric generation is both renewable and dispatchable.  Almost every viable potential hydroelectric sites have been employed in developed countries including the U.S.  Hydroelectric represents the largest renewable energy generation around the world .  Since most potential hydro electric sites are being utilized, it is not possible to implement large amount of new hydro generation.

Pumped hydroelectric plants-were water is pumped up into a reservoir for later use is becoming more attractive.  Hydroelectric is the most effective means to store large amount of energy with an electrical round trip efficiency ~80 to 85%.  Pump hydroelectric energy storage schemes may become popular to meet peak power demands and to dispatch  solar and wind renewable generation for high renewable implementation. 

Header: Castaic Dam -- photographed October 7, 2007. (Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castaic_Dam)

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This site was last updated 09/11/08