Wind & hydro together.

[Oerdin]

I understand that the Swedish government's plan to increase domestic energy consumption while slashing green house gas output is to install numerous wind plants near virtually every hydro electric dam in the country. The idea is that during periods of high winds they hydroelectric plants could be shut down allowing water to build up in the reservoir and then during periods of low wind the some of the extra water could be released to increase hydro output while still reducing over all water usage. Such tandum operations are an excellent idea because it helps solve wind powers major draw back; our in ability to store power produced during windy periods for use during non-windy periods.

Such a niche application seems like it could become area for the expansion of wind power as a viable entity and I would like to see wind plants built near all of the US's hydroelectric dams. In the west we are having major problems with the availability of water due to the competition between the needs of urbanites, industry, agriculture, and the environment. This shortage of water has meant that several dams have had to decrease water flowing through the turbines (thus reducing electrical output) and wind/hydro tandum production looks like a viable way to use the available water more efficently. Does anyone know if such tandum projects are on the books here in the US?

[Dead_Parrot]

1. It is a nice combination...

NZ is switching (in fits and starts) to a similar setup: Since the bulk of the power is hydro (~75%, with oddments of geothermal, fossil and some wind) it's a bit more adaptable to the swings and roundabouts of wind power. Hydro can be very fast reacting - I've specs for one system that'll go from 0 to 250Mw in about 8 seconds - fast enough to pick up the load while the wind turbines grind to a halt, with only minimal smothing on the grid side. You could also rig up the system so spare wind capacity goes into pumped storage, although I haven't seen it done yet.

The downside is, of course, having terrain for the hydro, but I'm guessing there's scope for a few GW in the US...

None of which answered your question, so I'll shut up. :D

[Strelnikov_]

2. Missouri River Reservoirs Would Serve As Receiving Bay

Fairly good elevation differential between the river and surrounding plauteau along most of the length of the river through the Dakotas. Right through the middle of an area of high potential for wind energy.

Pumped hydro storage will probably be an integral part of any wind based system, and is fairly efficient at 70% to 80% recovery.

[phantom power]

3. The safe guess here in the US is always "No."

Either that or "Hell no."

Here's an example of what's "on the books" for the US:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x43594