New use for old mines

[XXX Snow]

http://www.sandia.gov/media/NewsRel/NR2001/norton.htm

I heard this from a "friend of friend" but a professor from the U is looking into this process for use in the mines of LCC. I not sure how this would work because of the permeability of a mine. I think it is a far fetch idea but you never know.

[ExpUt]

Any idea who the professor is? If its in the Mechanical Engineering sector or some of the other engineering sectors I might be able to get us some sit down time with him?? Might have even been one of my professors? Some worked on energy storage??

[Joanne]

Some years ago I read about the concept of storing energy through the use of two large water resevoirs. During the daylight hours, solar powered pumps would move water from a lower resevoir to the upper one. During nighttime hours the water would be released from the upper resevoir through hydroelectric generators.

Using the underground mine sounds like a similar concept. Solar and wind-powered power production needs a cost-effective way to store energy for night time and times of little wind. I would imagine that they could get around the permeability issue with the use of rubber membranes and shot-crete. I think it's a pretty innovative idea if the technical challenges can be worked out.

Joanne