Pumped Storage Gives Extra Supply Just When it’s Needed

Question 1

What do most large power stations have?

Answer 1

Huge boilers which have to be kept running all night even though demand is very low

Question 2

What does this mean in terms of electricity?

Answer 2

There’s a surplus of electricity at night - surprisingly difficult to find a way of keeping this spare energy for later use

Question 3

What is one of the best solutions?

Answer 3

Pumped storage

Question 4

What is used in pumped storage and why?

Answer 4

‘Spare’ night-time electricity is used to pump water up to a higher reservoir

Question 5

This can then be released quickly during….

Answer 5

Periods of peak demand, such as teatime each evening, to supplement the steady delivery from the big power stations

Question 6

What is the ‘spare’ electricity used for and why?

Answer 6

To transfer energy back to the water’s gpe stores, do that it may generate more electricity when it is needed by flowing through the dam