Question

A pump storage power plant in Tennessee produces electricity by allowing water from a reservoir to fall 100 meters at a flow rate of 1.02 m³/s through a 90% efficient turbine to generate electricity. Later a set of pumps send water back to the reservoir at the same flow rate but these pumps are only 80% efficient.

The system runs for 300 days per year (150 days generating and 150 days pumping) and operates 22 hours per day generating then 22 hours per day to pump water back to the rreservoir. The utility pays $0.10/kW-hr to pump and receives $0.22/kW-hr when generating power.

What is the revenue generated by the water turbine for this facility in the 150 days it operates? Give your answer in dollars...yes you may have to use a few zeros.

Answer 1