Amador County - Pacific Gas and Electric Company has submitted a request to California regulators for funding a study on the feasibility of building a pumped hydro facility in the Mokelumne River watershed in Amador County. The utility is asking regulators to spend close to $33.5 million on the study of the project, which would also pay for exploring other potential sites like the Kings River watershed in Fresno County. In a press release, PG&E said the facility would generate between 400 megawatts and 1,200 megawatts. Referred to by the company as the Mokelumne River project, the plan includes the connection of existing reservoirs and the possible construction of a new reservoir to be built on or nearby Cole Creek at a total estimated price tag of $2.5 billion. The power would be transferred throughout the state.
A pumped hydro storage system generates electricity by releasing water from one reservoir into another one downstream, pushing it through a series of turbines along the way. The water is pumped uphill during off-peak times and released during peak times. Despite the many alternative forms of electricity generation available, pumped hydro is considered more reliable and faster, with the ability to create a large power output in a short period of time.
If this project is eventually approved, it will become the seventh hydro power system in the state. At least 3 other plants are currently proposed throughout California. PG&E says the permitting process alone could take 6 years to complete. PG&E’s plan is the latest attempt by a major utility to utilize the Mokelumne River to serve the demands of its growing customer base. Last spring, a large group of area citizens and the vast majority of local elected officials expressed outrage and disapproval at the East Bay Municipal Utility District’s proposal to expand the Pardee Reservoir by 2040, which would flood miles of the Mokelumne River in order to provide additional water capacity to millions of customers in the east bay. That plan was eventually approved by the EBMUD board, despite overwhelming opposition from over 50 elected officials, government agencies, political groups, NGOs, and conservation and fishing organizations. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Wednesday, 25 August 2010 08:28
PG&E seeks funding to study pumped hydro facility for Mokelumne River
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Amador County - Pacific Gas and Electric Company has submitted a request to California regulators for funding a study on the feasibility of building a pumped hydro facility in the Mokelumne River watershed in Amador County. The utility is asking regulators to spend close to $33.5 million on the study of the project, which would also pay for exploring other potential sites like the Kings River watershed in Fresno County. In a press release, PG&E said the facility would generate between 400 megawatts and 1,200 megawatts. Referred to by the company as the Mokelumne River project, the plan includes the connection of existing reservoirs and the possible construction of a new reservoir to be built on or nearby Cole Creek at a total estimated price tag of $2.5 billion. The power would be transferred throughout the state.
A pumped hydro storage system generates electricity by releasing water from one reservoir into another one downstream, pushing it through a series of turbines along the way. The water is pumped uphill during off-peak times and released during peak times. Despite the many alternative forms of electricity generation available, pumped hydro is considered more reliable and faster, with the ability to create a large power output in a short period of time.
If this project is eventually approved, it will become the seventh hydro power system in the state. At least 3 other plants are currently proposed throughout California. PG&E says the permitting process alone could take 6 years to complete. PG&E’s plan is the latest attempt by a major utility to utilize the Mokelumne River to serve the demands of its growing customer base. Last spring, a large group of area citizens and the vast majority of local elected officials expressed outrage and disapproval at the East Bay Municipal Utility District’s proposal to expand the Pardee Reservoir by 2040, which would flood miles of the Mokelumne River in order to provide additional water capacity to millions of customers in the east bay. That plan was eventually approved by the EBMUD board, despite overwhelming opposition from over 50 elected officials, government agencies, political groups, NGOs, and conservation and fishing organizations. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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