Creating a platform to allow rollout of renewable distrib...
Creating a platform to allow rollout of renewable distributed power generation and to increase utilization efficiency of grid derived power
Idea Description
Park City Utah is a cool, progressive ski town. But as customers of our regional utility, we derive our power from their coal fired power plants and are not happy with that. My idea is to utilize a few of the many miles of mine shafts to install a large compressed air storage device that can be charged by local renewable power (wind, solar) and by nighttime grid power when rates are cheapest. The compressed air is released when needed and run across a turbine that spins to generate electricity. This power will be sold locally at a cheaper rate than peak-time coal-derived power. This facility will likely be 100% private or a public/private partnership with the town or county.
What will you do if you win $10,000 for this idea?
The proceeds from Ideablob would be used to defray a good portion of the feasibility study costs (the rest of the cost will be covered through private funds). We have already held a meeting with municipal and county officials and our target customer base (December 12, '07) and received positive feedback on the concept and their interest as potential customers/owners.
So while the technology is proven, the feasibility is really in studying the capability of existing mineshafts as the storage area for compressed air. Initial enginering estimates show the mines run deep enough to allow us to achieve over 1000ps and to locate the turbines deep enough to optimize safety.
Vote for it now.
My only advice is research. I know there is currently a lot of research into this field. I would start with local universities. Professors usually willing to point you in the right direction.