Calculating Water Volume for Energy Storage in Electric-Power Plants

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the volume of water needed for energy storage in electric-power plants, specifically focusing on a scenario involving a 115 MW power plant and a height difference of 600 meters between reservoirs. Participants are exploring the relationship between energy production and potential energy in the context of gravitational storage.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to calculate the energy produced by the power plant over one hour and relate it to the potential energy of the water. Questions about the correct application of formulas and the assumptions regarding energy storage are raised.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided calculations and attempted to derive the mass of water needed based on potential energy equations. However, there is a noted discrepancy in the results, indicating that further clarification or alternative approaches may be necessary.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the assumption that the mass of water is directly related to the energy produced and the height difference, while also considering the density of water. There is an acknowledgment of potential confusion regarding the calculations involved.

bosox3790
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Some electric-power companies use water to store energy. Water is pumped by reversible turbine pumps from a low to a high reservoir. To store the energy produced in 1.0 hour by a 115 MW (115 106 W) electric-power plant, how many cubic meters of water will have to be pumped from the lower to the upper reservoir? Assume the upper reservoir is 600 m above the lower and we can neglect the small change in depths within each. Water has a mass of 1000 kg for every 1.0 m3.

This problem has completely confused me. How do I do this?
 
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How much energy is produced in one hour by a 115 MW electric power plant?

Then, consider the energy is being stored as potential gravitational energy. So what is the potential energy of the water? From here, you should be able to solve for the mass of the water
 
We know the potential energy and calculate the mass of the water that has to be transported."1.0 hour by a 115 MW (115 106 W) "

E=115106 W
H=600m
m=?

E=m*g*h <=> m=E/g*h

115106/9.82*600*1000 ~ 7032953/1000 ~7000 m³
 
I tried that and it doesn't work.
 

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