So yes, pumped hydro is a solution

But is would need to be truly colossal. UK has about 30 GW of hydrocarbon dispatchable power. I haven't seen plans for 30 GW of pumped stotage. Have you? How much would that cost?

UK largest battery is approx 50 MWh. A back of envelope calculation suggests that would cover us for about 6 seconds.

The optimal solution might be to use surplus energy to generate hydrogen and then use that in a gas power plant. But that's years off.

I do support the transition to zero carbon in the UK. I worked in the field for approx 8 years and am going back on a green energy project in the very near future. In my view the UK is really doing very well in its transition to renewables. More offshore wind power than any other country on earth. Contrasted with e.g. Germany currently getting the majority of her energy from lignite (dirtiest form of coal). China, India....

We need practical, pragmatic solutions to reducing hydrocarbon emmisions. I'm not seeing much detail on what is proposed.

Posted By: Timmy_Goat, Nov 8, 16:31:56